Lights, Camera, Festival
Jake Delaurier, staff writer
The 29th annual Virginia Film Festival is set to take place on Nov. 3-6. This four day event will showcase 135 films. These films will be shown at many different locations like Violet Crown, The Paramount Theatre, the PVCC Dickinson Center, UVA, and the Vinegar Hill Theatre.
“People can expect tremendous attendance,” said festival director Jody Kielbasa. “In eight years, attendance rose from 11000 to 32000,” said Kielbasa.
“This year’s festival we have La La Land, which won the Audience Favorite Award at the Toronto Film Festival, the biopic about Jackie Kennedy called Jackie, and a work-in progress of Beauty and the Beast to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the film,” said Kielbasa.
The Virginia Film Festival will also host numerous special guests. Some of these guests include Paige O’Hara, the voice of Belle from Beauty and the Beast; Danny McBride, star of the TV show Vice Principals, will screen two episodes of the show, and Michael Barker, co-president and co-founder of Sony Picture Classics.
Family Day will also be apart of the Festival on Nov. 5 on the UVA Arts Grounds. Some activities offered at Family Day include showings of Disney Animated Shorts and James and The Giant Peach at no expense and a performance by Moonlight Circus.
Throughout the festival, galas and parties will be held Nov. 3-5. The first of these will the Opening Night Gala, which will take place on Nov. 3 from 9:30 p.m. to midnight at The Jefferson Theater for $75. Attendees will be able to listen to Kool Kats Lite, enjoy hors d’oeuvres provided by Harvest Moon Catering, and take pictures at the MoxBox photo booth. The second, the Digital Media Gallery First Friday Opening Reception, will be held on Nov. 4 5:30 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. at the Second Street Gallery for free. Here attendees will be able to hang out with a variety of people like students and other festival attendees.
And finally, the Late Night Wrap Party will be held on Nov. 5 at the Main Street Arena 10:00 p.m.- 2:00 a.m. for $35. Similar to Opening Night Gala, food will be provided by Harvest Moon Catering and attendees will be able to take photos at the MoxBox photo booth. The Late Night Wrap Party will also have a performance from Moonlight Circus.
For more information regarding this year’s upcoming film festival, visit http://virginiafilmfestival.org/.
