Va. Film Festival’s looking for movies

Published: July 17, 2009

The Virginia Film Festival is offering local, regional and national filmmakers a chance to submit films for this year’s festival, which will be Nov. 5 to 8 in a variety of Charlottesville locations.

Submissions for this year’s festival, which has “Funny Business” as its theme, must arrive by Aug. 25.

All entries must be submitted through Withoutabox at http://www.withoutabox.com.

Jody Kielbasa, the new director of the film festival, extended the invitation to give more filmmakers a chance to participate.

The theme of the 22nd annual festival focuses not only on comedy in the movies, but also on the different forms of funny business that seem prevalent in the worlds of government and finance. Films that address these themes will get special consideration for the festival, but festival organizers will consider the work of all interested filmmakers.

“Inclusivity is a big part of my vision and my mission for the Virginia Film Festival,” Kielbasa said in a statement Thursday. “I am particularly interested in engaging the vibrant local film and arts communities, including those in the Charlottesville area and those affiliated with the university. As we move forward, I always want to make sure that this festival is a reflection of the extraordinary community which it represents, and this new feature will help us do that.”

Kielbasa, who started his new job in May, succeeds Richard Herskowitz, who led the festival for 15 years. Kielbasa spent the past decade as founding executive director of the Sarasota Film Festival, which has grown into a 10-day event.

According to the festival’s site, http://www.vafilm.com, the festival is accepting features and documentaries this year, but not short films.

The submission rates are $45, $40 for Withoutabox members, $10 for students — and free for Virginia residents. To learn more about the festival, visit http://www.vafilm.com.