Take a deep breath. If this sounds like a lot, well, that’s because it’s supposed to. "I want people to make tough choices," said Virginia Film Festival Director Jody Kielbasa at a press conference this afternoon, adding, "I feel like a kid in a candy store."
In addition to Peter Bogdanovich, announced in August, special guests and screenings include…
- Guillermo Del Toro, filmmaker behind Blade II, the Hellboy series and Pan’s Labyrinth, will present his latest film, Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark.
- Josh Radnor, star of CBS’ "How I Met Your Mother" will discuss his film happythankyoumoreplease.
- Tom Shadyac, who made Evan Almighty, will discuss a new documentary, I Am.
- Paige O’Hara, who voiced Belle in Beauty and the Beast, will sing on Family Day.
Among the changes already rolled out for fest are a new logo, and a free format that will allow further emphasis on contemporary films. Kielbasa said that the fest’s opening film says a lot about the festival’s new direction: Black Swan is a dark new independent flick from Darren Aronofsky, starring Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis and Winona Rider, a highly anticipated release on this year’s indepdendent circuit.
The closing film is an independent comedy, happythankyoumoreplease, starring Radnor, which won the Audience Award at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
Following the success of last year’s conversation with Alan Ball about "True Blood," Vince Gilligan will be on hand to provide live commentary to and answer audience questions about "Breaking Bad," which he created. Another Q&A will feature Bogdanovich in conversation about his career defining film, The Last Picture Show, with film critic David Edelstein.
There will also be reprise screenings of three high profile local films: World Peace…and other Fourth Grade Achievements, the Parking Lot Movie, and Vintage: The Winemaker’s Year.
"If we were in a play right now, we’d be in the first act," said Kielbasa, "I think some things are about to break, so stay tuned."
The festival runs from November 4-7.
What’re you looking forward to?
