Virginia Film Festival

Charlottesville VA is home to the annual Virginia Film Festival.  This year it is Thursday November 3 - Sunday November 6.  Last year's festival was superb but this year's looks to be even better.  There will be over 100 films in 4 locations throughout the city.  Highlights this year are The Descendants starring George Clooney, Shailene Woodley and Judy Greer; Albert Nobbs - starring Glenn Close, Mia Wasikowska, Janet McTeer and Jonathon Rhys Meyers; and Thin Ice starring Greg Kinnear, Billy Crudup and Alan Arkin.

There are six highlight areas this year:

1. National Film Registry - Turner Classic Movies and the Library of Congress are presenting a series of classic movies.  National Velvet, Badlands, McCabe and Mrs. Miller, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre and The General.  Sissy Spacek and her husband Jack Fisk, both of whom were involved in the Badlands will be special guests at it's showing.
2. Kartemquin Films (documentary filming) - a collection of nine films will be presented this year to highlight their 45 years of documenting and critiquing society.  They are best known for the film Hoop Dreams.
3. Israeli/Jewish Voices - four films will be shown to spotlight Israeli film makers and four films will reflect Jewish culture and traditions.
4. Focus on Local Food - two documentaries will be shown that examine the way we treat food.  Cafeteria Man and Farmegeddon.  Joel Saladin will be featured at Farmageddon.
5. Virginia Filmakers Showcase - this year Virginia contemporary film will be celebrated
6. Adrenaline Film Project  - 10-12 teams compete to write, shoot, edit and screen films all within a 72 hour time-frame.