Stories

Photos: Virginia Film Festival Guests and Crowds Delighted To Be Back in Person

From the opening night’s full house at the Paramount Theater for the area premiere of “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” to many other sold-out movies and illuminating discussions, the 35th Virginia Film Festival, held Wednesday through Sunday, drew big crowds – free this year from COVID restrictions on social gatherings.

The Folklorist and Alumnus Behind the Scenes on the Award-Winning Film, 'Descendant'

"I need you to know this other story about this place,” Kern Jackson’s godmother, Valena McCants, said to him 30 years ago when he visited Mobile originally to study Mardi Gras culture. This ultimately led to his documentary, "Descendant," that explores the history of The Clotilda.

Virginia Premiere of Jez Butterworth’s Haunting Play, THE RIVER

Live Arts Theater’s 2022/23 Transformations Season leaps into the new year with the Virginia premiere of Jez Butterworth’s hauntingly lyrical THE RIVER, directed by Robert Chapel. THE RIVER will have 16 performances in the Founders Theater, January 20 through February 11, 2023, at Live Arts Theater, 123 E. Water Street, Charlottesville. Tickets are $27 for adults or $24 for students and senior citizens and are available through the Box Office at boxoffice@livearts.org, by phone at 434-977-4177 x123, or online at livearts.org/tix.

35th Annual VAFF – Now That’s a Wrap!

The credits have rolled on a remarkable 35th Anniversary Virginia Film Festival that combined more than 100 films with an unforgettable array of special guests and fascinating discussions that captivated, challenged, and delighted audiences over five days in Charlottesville. The 35th Annual Virginia Film Festival saw a total of 17,292 total attendances, including both paid and free events. The Festival recorded 28 sold out screenings and welcomed 72 industry guests as well as 42 discussants and subject matter experts from around the globe to shed light on and add depth and context to films that both entertained audiences and tackled some of the most important topics of our time.

UVA Unveils New Portrait of President Emeritus John T. Casteen III

Ramona Martinez: Visions of Mary

Second Street Gallery is pleased to present Visions of Mary, a solo exhibition featuring installation and linocuts of Marian Imagery by Charlottesville-based artist Ramona Martinez, to be held in the Dové Gallery from December 2, 2022 - January 21, 2023. The exhibition will open on First Friday, December 2, 2022 from 5:30-7:30PM. The artist will be present during the opening evening to chat with visitors.

Mariana Parisca: Her Deeds

Second Street Gallery is pleased to present Her Deeds, an exhibition of mixed media works and installation by Richmond, Virginia-based artist Mariana Parisca and collaborators Larí García, agustine zegers, Christine Buckley, Sandy Williams IV, and Paul van den Bijgaart, to be held in the Main Gallery from December 2, 2022 -January 21, 2023. The exhibition will open on First Friday, December 2, 2022 from 5:30-7:30PM. The artist will be present during the opening evening to chat with visitors.

UVA Ties Run Deep for These Filmmakers

It’s no secret that many people affiliated with the University of Virginia have behind-the-scenes roles in the annual Virginia Film Festival. It is a UVA-sponsored program, after all. This year’s festival, which begins Wednesday and runs through Sunday, features several directorial debuts and films made by UVA alumni, faculty and staff. The alumni credit their educations at the University for much of their successes in the film industry. More than 50 faculty members are participating in events as moderators and panelists, with almost all film screenings followed by discussions.

Virginia Film Festival Unveils Schedule with Jonathan Majors, Chrissy Metz and Others

Rising star Jonathan Majors will accept the Breakthrough Star Award and present his latest film and “This Is It” star Chrissy Metz will be on hand for a screening and conversation during the 35th annual Virginia Film Festival.