Virginia Film Festival Kicks Off 38th Edition with Over 100 Films

The 38th annual Virginia Film Festival will commence in Charlottesville on October 22, showcasing more than 100 films over five days. This year’s festival theme focuses on the various disciplines behind filmmaking, such as composing, casting, and screenwriting. According to Ilya Tovbis, the festival’s artistic director, these elements are essential in creating memorable cinematic experiences. “If you’ve ever sat through the credits, you see the village it takes to make it,” Tovbis explained.

Festival attendees will have the opportunity to engage with professionals from casting, screenwriting, and composing who will share insights into the artistry involved in building fictional worlds. “We fall in love with these films and root for their success,” Tovbis added, highlighting the passion that drives the festival’s programming decisions.

Opening Night and Featured Films

The festival will kick off with the opening night film, “Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere,” which explores the creation of Bruce Springsteen’s iconic “Nebraska” album. Directed by Scott Cooper, a Virginia native and member of the festival’s advisory board, the film promises to be an enlightening look at an American music legend. Jody Kielbasa, the festival’s executive director and vice provost for the arts at the University of Virginia, described the film as “a heartening, beautiful film.”

In addition to the opening film, the festival will feature a variety of notable screenings. The “Centerpiece Film,” “Train Dreams,” stars Joel Edgerton and Felicity Jones and is based on a novella by Denis Johnson. Kielbasa noted that it celebrates “a simple life, but a really beautiful life.” The “Closing Night Film,” “Rental Family,” features Academy Award winner Brendan Fraser in a narrative about an American actor navigating complex relationships in Tokyo.

Other prominent films include “Jay Kelly,” directed by Noah Baumbach, starring George Clooney, Laura Dern, and Adam Sandler. The film follows a Hollywood star on an unexpected European journey. Composer Nicholas Britell will receive the Achievement in Film Composition Award at the festival, and his discussion with Scott Feinberg, executive editor of awards coverage at The Hollywood Reporter, will be recorded for Feinberg’s podcast, “Awards Chatter Live.”

Recognizing Talent and Local Filmmakers

The festival will also honor various talents. Ben Foster, who plays pro boxer Christy Martin’s husband in “Christy,” will accept the Achievement in Acting Award. Additionally, Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz, and Jacob Elordi star in “Frankenstein,” directed by three-time Oscar winner Guillermo del Toro.

Local filmmakers are also in the spotlight. Chris Farina will showcase his documentary, “Pep Banned,” which tells the story of the student-run Virginia Pep Band. Farina, a graduate of the University of Virginia, will receive the Gov. Gerald L. Baliles Founders Award for his impactful storytelling. Kielbasa emphasized that “we can’t think of anybody more deserving to win this award.”

The festival will present a diverse range of international films, including “La Grazia” by Oscar winner Paolo Sorrentino and “Left-Handed Girl” by Shih-Ching Tsou. Other notable screenings include “The Plague,” directed by Charlie Polinger, and “The Secret Agent,” which will feature a discussion led by Evgenia Alexandrovna, who will receive the Craft Award for Cinematography.

Tickets for the festival start at $15, with discounts available. More information is available on the festival’s official website, virginiafilmfestival.org. As the festival approaches, excitement builds for what promises to be a celebration of film that not only entertains but also enlightens audiences about the artistry behind the screen.