Looking for Film Festivals in Virginia During the Summer?

There are no film festivals in Virginia during the summer months, which could be disappointing for lovers of the media type who aren't fans of huge blockbusters. If you are hankering for a dose of independent film during the action and comedy heavy summer season at the movies, these year-long film programs should do the trick.

If you enjoy short films, Richmond area filmmakers get a chance to show theirs to a local audience during Flicker, a series of bi-monthly screenings of shorts sponsored by the Richmond Moving Image Co-op. All films are shot on Regular or Super 8, or 16mm film, and under fifteen minutes in running time. Filmmakers are usually on hand during the Flicker showing to meet with, and get feedback from, the viewing audience. Dates and locations are announced on the event website. For more information, check the website at http://www.rmicweb.org/flicker/index.html

Project Resolution is very similar to Flicker, and also based in Richmond. A monthly film forum where filmmakers show their films and can get honest audience reactions, Project Resolution does not pre-screen films, but allows filmmakers to just show up with their offering in hand, and present it before the audience. Films are expected to be five minutes or under. At the end of the event, pResentation is the portion of the night when one filmmaker gets a chance to screen a longer film that did not fit within the five minute or under time limit, and get audience reaction to their longer project. Screenings take place at the Firehouse Theater, former Station House #10 of the Richmond Fire Department, at 1609 West Broad Street. Project Resolution is free to the public, but donations are accepted.

The Queen, Babel, The Painted Veil, The Departed. The roster of Sunday morning showings at the Naro Cinema, 1507 Colley Avenue in the historic Ghent neighborhood of Norfolk, this past season is a virtual who's who of Academy Award contenders. Visitors of the Naro showings will meet with other cinema lovers for an advanced screening of foremost foreign and independent fair, as well as brunch and a film discussion and critique. Participants can register in advance, paying for all seven films of a season, four films of the season, or can purchase an individual admission at the door. All brunches start at 10:00 am, followed by the 10:30 film showing.

Just because the film festival season has ended, doesn't give lovers of fine film an excuse to flock to action fests or gross out comedies. When planning to go to the movies, keep these great events in mind.