‘Mary Poppins’

Paramount On Screen presents the family-favorite Mary Poppins, starring the incomparable Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. Set in Edwardian London in 1910, a magical and musical child-care provider swoops in to save the Banks family from boring days. A series of fantastical encounters with chalk-drawn penguins, choreographed chimney sweeps, and laughing men who float […]

“Napoleon Dynamite” LIVE revives an early 2000s indie hit

The cult classic coming-of-age movie Napoleon Dynamite turned 20 last year, but the main characters—Napoleon, Pedro, and Uncle Rico—are still kicking around their old stomping grounds. About five years ago, the film’s core ensemble of Jon Heder (Napoleon), Efren Ramirez (Pedro), and Jon Gries (Uncle Rico) hosted a Dynamite film screening and post-movie conversation with […]

Virginia Student Film Festival

A day-long celebration of creativity, talent, and dedication showcases student filmmakers at the Virginia Student Film Festival. With more than 15 films under 20 minutes long, the festival features works by current college and university students from across the country, presented in two screening blocks. In addition to the screenings, the day includes a panel […]

“Make Me Famous”

Providing a portrait of a time and place, Make Me Famous chronicles the Lower East Side contemporary art movement of 1980s New York City through dazzling archival footage and home video. Exploring the bohemian scene that produced artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, and Madonna, this feature-length documentary follows the story of the mostly […]

Indie Short Film Festival

Whether you’re a fan of films or a filmmaker yourself (we know there’s a lot of local talent in the cinemascape), the 2025 Indie Short Film Festival brings plenty for movie-lovers. Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, the festival returns with screenings, workshops, panel discussions, and an awards ceremony across five downtown venues. […]

“The Sound of Music”

Celebrate the 60th anniversary of The Sound of Music with a screening that’s unfortunately relevant. The Oscar-winning film set in pre-WWII Salzburg combines an unforgettable soundtrack by Rodgers and Hammerstein with incredible performances from Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer as the real-life story of the Von Trapp Family Singers plays out. Witness a powerful account […]

“James Hemings: Ghost in America’s Kitchen”

Learn how Colonial culinary tastes were shaped and American cuisine started to define itself at the screening of James Hemings: Ghost in America’s Kitchen. This 2022 documentary explores the life, contributions, and eventual erasure of perhaps the most influential American chef of all time. Credited with introducing staples such as ice cream, French fries, and […]

Silents Scored Live

Step back in time with Silents Scored Live, a silent-film screening with in-person musical accompaniment. Composer, film lecturer, and Violet Crown artist-in-residence Matt Marshall brings more than two decades of experience writing and performing music for classic film screenings that offer a glimpse into what the cinematic experience once was. Marshall live-scores works from the […]

The five worst films of 2024

When we asked our Screens columnist, Justin Humphreys to do a round-up of the year’s movies, he made his feelings clear: “I’m going to have to be very honest and say how precious few good movies there were this year.”  His top five losers are below. Joker Folie a Deux Nicknamed Joker Filet-o-Fish online, few […]

Virginia Film Festival lineup has broad reach

Stories of survival, the trials and triumphs of friends and families, animated offerings, and films from around the world. The 37th Virginia Film Festival brings together an incredibly diverse program of features, shorts, and documentaries for your consideration. The festival takes place from October 30–November 3 at various theaters throughout Charlottesville, opening with Sean Baker’s […]