The 38th annual Virginia Film Festival is set to showcase over 100 films from October 22 to 26, highlighting the various disciplines that contribute to the art of filmmaking. The festival aims to explore elements such as composing, casting, and screenwriting, emphasizing how these components create the cinematic experience. According to Ilya Tovbis, the festival’s artistic director, the credits of a film reveal the extensive collaboration behind each project.
Festival attendees will have the opportunity to engage with industry professionals who will discuss the intricacies of “building the world that the characters inhabit.” Tovbis noted, “We fall in love with them and root for their success. We just believe in these films and love to see them recognized,” reflecting the passion that drives the festival’s programming.
Highlights of the Festival
The opening night will feature “Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere,” directed by Scott Cooper, a Virginia native and member of the festival’s advisory board. This documentary delves into the creation of Bruce Springsteen‘s iconic album “Nebraska.” Jody Kielbasa, the festival’s executive director, describes it as “a heartening, beautiful film” that pays tribute to an American icon.
The festival’s centerpiece film, “Train Dreams,” stars Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, Kerry Condon, and William H. Macy. Based on the novella by Denis Johnson, it presents an early 20th-century American narrative, celebrating the beauty of a simple life.
The closing night film is “Rental Family,” featuring Academy Award winner Brendan Fraser. Directed by Hikari, this film follows an American actor involved in an agency that provides fake family members for strangers. Hikari will be present to accept the festival’s Breakthrough Director Award and participate in a discussion about the film. Kielbasa highlights the emotional depth of the story, stating, “It leaves you with a good feeling in the heart.”
Other notable screenings include “Jay Kelly,” starring George Clooney, Laura Dern, and Adam Sandler. This film, directed by Noah Baumbach, follows a Hollywood megastar on an unexpected journey in Europe. Composer Nicholas Britell will receive the Achievement in Film Composition Award and will engage in a conversation with Scott Feinberg, the Hollywood Reporter’s executive editor of awards coverage.
Recognition and Awards
The festival will also honor significant contributions to film with various awards. Ben Foster will accept the Achievement in Acting Award for his role in “Christy,” which chronicles the life of boxer Christy Martin. Additionally, Mia Goth stars in “Frankenstein,” directed by three-time Oscar winner Guillermo del Toro, while “Hamnet,” featuring Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, explores the real-life inspirations behind Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.”
The festival will also feature a casting panel that includes three-time Emmy Award winner Alexa Fogel, alongside international films such as “La Grazia” by Oscar winner Paolo Sorrentino and “Left-Handed Girl,” co-written by Shih-Ching Tsou and Sean Baker.
In a nod to local talent, Chris Farina will present “Pep Banned,” which tells the story of the Virginia Pep Band. Farina, a UVa graduate, will receive the Gov. Gerald L. Baliles Founders Award for his ability to tell local stories that resonate universally. Kielbasa expressed confidence in Farina’s deserving nature for the award.
The festival promises a rich lineup, with tickets starting at $15 and discounts available. For more details, festivalgoers can visit virginiafilmfestival.org.
