Big-deal film fests are synonymous with location. Toronto, Telluride, Cannes, and Sundance evoke industry accolades and red-carpet credentials. Our own Virginia Film Festival has gotten pretty buzzy over the years, with marquee names, tentpole previews, and movie deals cut on the Downtown Mall.
The VAFF has become “one of the nation’s leading regional film festivals and one of the premier cultural events in the Mid-Atlantic region,” says festival Executive Director and UVA Vice Provost for the Arts Jody Kielbasa.
In its 38th year, the VAFF maintains its high-caliber programming and steadfast commitment to the Commonwealth, exemplified by the broad selections in Virginia-connected filmmaking.
This year’s festival opener, Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, is directed by VAFF Advisory Board member and Virginia native Scott Cooper. On Thursday, Charlottesville native Clay Tweel’s new documentary, Andy Kaufman is Me, digs deep into the artist’s life, and on Friday, Richmond filmmaker Melody C. Roscher expertly lands Bird in Hand, a portrait of a young woman looking for connection.
Local filmmaker Chris Farina will be celebrated on Sunday with the Governor Gerald L. Baliles Founder’s Award. Since the festival is a program of the University of Virginia, it’s fitting to feature Farina’s documentary, Pep Banned, which looks at the “joyful subversion” of the UVA pep band, on this year’s cover, and declare it—along with the entire festival—a Wahoo must-watch!
From documentaries and screen adaptations to horror flicks and fan favorites, we sifted through this year’s massive schedule to champion the films highlighted throughout this issue. Explore each one below:
Pep in step: ‘Pep Banned’ at Culbreth Theatre 10/26
Iraqi amateurs take the cake in ‘The President’s Cake’ at Violet Crown 10/26
A bond on the inside: ‘What These Walls Won’t Hold’ at Violet Crown 10/26
