Announcing the 30th Annual James River Film Festival!

Advance tickets for all paid events:

Click Here!

Want a free t-shirt and festival pass? Volunteers needed for select events!

Email: Kerri@jamesriverfilm.org

The drive-in movie experience at the Byrd!

Prize Winners, 29th James River Short Film Showcase

Thanks to everyone who came out to this year's Showcase! Your presence and support made it a truly unforgettable experience for all of us. It was terrific to see so many passionate film enthusiasts come together and share their love for cinema.

I hope you enjoyed the screening as much as we did and that it exceeded your expectations. It was an absolute pleasure to have you with us, and we look forward to welcoming you back next year.

The prize winners are listed below:

1st Place $700

Judy's Garden, Evie Metz, Nick Daly, Richmond, VA

2nd Place $500

Kill Time, Ben Rinehardt, Richmond, VA

3rd Place $300

Adieu Gaston, Victor Guilbauld, Paris, FR

Kathryn Stephens, Virginia Filmmaker Award $250

Telephone Bingo, Nate Henry, Fredericksburg, VA

People's Choice Award $250

Telephone Bingo, Nate Henry, Fredericksburg, VA

Once again, Thanks to all the filmmakers, Jurors, Judges, the VMFA, and the VFO, not just this year but EVERY year!

29th Annual James River Short Film Showcase Finalists

Sponsored by the Virginia Film Office and The James River Film Society.

Thank you very much to all those who submitted films this year; we've had a hard time doing so, but we've narrowed the finalists to those below:  

PROGRAM:

Kill Time, Ben Rinehardt, Richmond, VA - 7:52

Richmond Animation Archive, Kiara Danielle Brown, Richmond, VA - 14:35

Telephone Bingo, Nate Henry, Fredericksburg, VA - 3:48

Sweet Press, Laura Iancu, Blacksburg, VA - 7:00

Help Is...on the Way?, Jason A. White, Los Angeles, CA - 8:16

INTERMISSION

Adieu Gaston, Victor Guilbauld, Paris, FR - 15:00

A Little Sun, Daniel Caporaletti, Richmond, VA - 18:00

Judy's Garden, Evie Metz, Nick Daly, Richmond, VA - 7:00

You Can Breathe Now, Anthony Faust, Fairfax, VA - 9:26

Mix-Cycled Memories, Luke Mancari, Richmond, VA - 8:15

Full Program Here

Due to a change of venue this year and seating limitations, our program will be held on two nights. The identical program will be held on both nights with the exception of the prizes. Those will be handed out on the second night by our guest Judge

James Parrish Jr. (co-founder JRFF and “Flicker” curator 1999-2008)

The program this year will be held:

Thursday, January 11th from 6:30-9 PM at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Reynolds Lecture Hall, Richmond, Virginia, USA

Friday, January 12th from 6:30-9 PM at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Leslie Cheek Theater, Richmond, Virginia, USA

Tickets will be available at the door, and a limited number of advance tickets can be purchased using the link below:

TICKETS HERE

Thank you to all our Judges, Jurors, Staff, and, most importantly, our film submitters this year! We invite all submitters to consider us next year for any projects they might be working on! 

This year’s Jurors: Ashley, Caryl, Ken, Kevin, Tom, Todd, Jere, Raasa Leela, Coleman, and Shane

29th Annual JRSFS: Submissions open Monday June 19th!

Have a film you’d like to show off? Submit it to this year’s film showcase! For 29 years we’ve been running our annual film competition, and while formats have changed, the heart of the competition remains unchanged. $2,000 in prizes are up for grabs and a chance to have your film shown on the big screen! More details can be found on our FilmFreeway page, right here!

Thank you all!

Thank you to everyone who helped make the 29th James River Film Fest one for the books! To the Volunteers, guests, attendees, friends, and family. You helped make this year, and every year, a reality.

We look forward to seeing you all in the coming months for other programs and of course, next spring, for our 30th JRFF!

-JRFS

The 29th James River Film Festival - Full Schedule

Advance Tickets for all paid events click here!

A Full Festival Pass for entry into all events can be purchased at any event for $40. Good for all events, Non-transferable

Interested in volunteering for an event? Free t-shirt and event entry included! Please email: vilma@jamesriverfilm.org for more info!

THURSDAY, April 20
Visual Arts Center, Auditorium, 8 pm,  $8
EARTH (SOIL/ZEMLYA)('30, USSR, 70 min.) with the Vulgar Bulgars!

One of the silent cinema's masterpieces, from Ukrainian-born director Alexander Dovzhenko, is a lyrical meditation on family, life, and death as a group of peasants form a "collective" over the objections of the big landowners. The authorities denounced it as "counter-revolutionary" and deleted scenes, but it remains Dovzhenko's loving tribute to his native Ukraine. The Vulgar Bulgars will play "kletzmer" music before the screening at 7:30 pm! Approx. RT 90 min.

FRIDAY, April 21
Richmond Main Public Library, 1:00 pm,  Free
SURREALIST SANDWICH

Two films by Surrealist director Luis Bunuel--Un Chien Andalou/ Andalusian Dog ('29), co-written with Salvador Dali and considered the ultimate Surrealist manifesto, and Simon of the Desert ('65), rarely screened; loosely based on St. Simeon Stylites, an ascetic pole sitter of the 5th century who is tempted by all manner of Satan's trickery, ultimately finding himself on the dance floor of a 1960's NY disco. Approx. RT 80 min.

Richmond Main Public Library, 2:30 pm,  Free
WOMEN FILMMAKERS

Early feminism of the silent era-- Alice Guy's Making an American Citizen (1912), on domestic abuse, and Lois Weber's restored Shoes (1916), depicting pay inequality and poverty as the young heroine trades her honor for a new pair of needed shoes. Jump ahead a century for two animated shorts by past JRFF guests, Karen Aqua's Twist of Fate and Martha Colburn's  Dolls v. Dictators. Approx. RT 90 min.

Grace St. Theater,  7:30 pm,  $8
SILENT MUSIC REVIVAL presents: HOTEL X  plays "CITY SYMPHONIES."

The long-running Richmond ensemble Hotel X celebrates 30 years and performs to a selection of "city symphony" shorts, including Charles Sheeler's/ Paul Strand's Manhatta ('21), Joris Ivens' Rain ('29), and Jean Vigo's Apropos de Nice ('30)--featuring new original compositions by band members Tim Harding, Carter Blough, and Chris Vasi! Plus, a special visit by guitarist/ composer guest Gary Lucas. Approx. RT 75 min.

 Paid Parking available at VCU deck on corner of Broad & Harrison St.

Grace St. Theater,  9 pm,  $8
REWIND & PLAY (dir: Alain Gomis), 2022, France/Germany, 65 mins.

In December 1969 jazz pianist/composer Thelonious Monk ended his European tour with a performance at the Salle Pleyel in Paris. Before the show, he agreed to appear and perform on a French TV station and be interviewed by Henri Renaud. The interview revealed a disconnect--Renaud's approach to Monk and his music subtly revealed the casual racism and exploitation of the music industry at large. A fascinating behind-the-scenes look with rarely seen footage of a jazz giant, directed by Alain Gomis.

SATURDAY, April 22
Byrd Theatre, 11:00 am,  $8
SPOTLIGHT on THE GOOD ROAD w/ co-host Craig Martin

Craig Martin, co-host of the PBS docu-series, THE GOOD ROAD, screens two episodes of regional interest, "Virginia Balance" and "Holy River"; the first concerns the quest for recognition by the Monacan Nation and the historic site, Rassawek; the latter, the effort to sustain sturgeon reproduction in the James and highlights the work of the James River Association.             

Byrd Theatre, 1:30 pm,  $8
ALLIANCE (2022)  w/ director Susan Donnelly and director of photography Ted Salins

Escaping from a tyrannical Czar in 1882, forty-three Russian Jewish families landed in NJ's pine barrens and sandy soil. There, they exchanged persecution for a new set of skills and a social experiment--forming a cooperative, agricultural-based community--the Alliance Colony. Director Susan Donnelly's great-grandfather was one of the original Alliance settlers. Q & A after with the director and cinematographer. RT 80 min.

 Advance Tickets for all paid events click here!

Byrd Theatre,  4 pm,   $8
THE ALBUM (scr/dir: Kevin Hosmann, 2022)

Remember when a record's cover art was a big part of why you bought it? Celebrate National Vinyl Day with a screening of The Album, an independent documentary about the record industry from the POV of dozens of art directors and photographers. Hear the stories of the artists/designers who created the most memorable art in the music industry's history--from Abbey Road to Dark Side of the Moon to Nevermind. (thanks to Jim Bland and Heather Waters for helping us land this program!) RT 90 min.

Byrd Theatre, 6:00 pm,  $8
Richmond Music Video SHOWCASE PART 1  
SPOTLIGHT on GOOD DAY RVA! w/ producer Chris Damon & crew

Witness the long-awaited return of Good Day RVA as they project a selection of their iconic, city-inspired music videos on the Byrd's big silver screen!

Intermission with live music by The Seymores!

Intermission with live music by The Seymores!

Richmond Music Video SHOWCASE PART 2   7:30 pm, 
Richmond Music Scene ARCHIVES

A sampler of Richmond's music scene since the whole MTV thing happened--then & now, celebrating all genres and styles--featuring videos from Poison, GWAR, Plunky & Oneness, Single Bullet Theory, Seymores, and more!

Byrd Theatre, 9 pm  $15/ 2 for $25
TOO MUCH JOHNSON w/ guitarist/composer GARY LUCAS

Special guest composer/ guitarist Gary Lucas plays to Orson Welles' lost/ restored cult film oddity, TOO MUCH JOHNSON, starring Joseph Cotten, a Petersburg, VA native. Lucas (Captain Beefheart/ Gods & Monsters) is a five-time guest and part of our extended festival family. Orson Welles (Citizen Kane, Touch of Evil, Lady from Shanghai) had intended to use Too Much Johnson as part of a multi-media theatrical presentation. Still, it didn't pan out--the film was lost, found, and supposedly destroyed at Welles' Spanish villa in a fire. But in recent years, a copy surfaced. The film is an homage to the silent cinema: from Harold Lloyd's cliff-hanging stunts in American comedies to the sinister Fantomas in France, with nods to the Soviets and the German Expressionists.  A Wellesian farce and a cult curio! Approx. RT 75 min.

NY Deli - Rooftop, 10:30 pm $Free

AFTER PARTY, Join us for beverages and more at RVA's new hot spot--NY Deli's Rooftop!

 

SUNDAY, APRIL 23
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Leslie Cheek Theater, 1:00 pm, $8
THE BLACK PRESS: SOLDIERS WITHOUT SWORDS ('98)

An illuminating look at the history of the African-American-produced newspaper, which flourished in hundreds of markets nationwide, including Richmond's. More than just a news source, it was part of African-Americans' push for community, racial and social equality. Exhaustively researched and narrated by actor Joe Morton, the film includes rare footage from inside the black newspaper industry. Directed/produced: Stanley Nelson,  RT 86 min.

VMFA, Leslie Cheek Theater, 3:30 pm,  $8
SILENT MUSIC REVIVAL presents SUN V SET & the Films of MAYA DEREN

Experience the films of avant-garde filmmaker Maya Deren--Meshes of the Afternoon ('43), At Land ('44), The Very Eye of Night ('58)--with live music by RVA's Sun V Set. Deren was a seminal figure of the American avant-garde through the 1940s-50s, and not only pioneered the experimental "trance" film but with her background in choreography, the dance film as well. Sun V Set's recent single is "LA Electric," and a new EP is forthcoming. Approx. RT 75 min.

 Advance Tickets for all paid events click here!

About the Guests:

Gary Lucas, a NY-based guitarist/composer, was a member of Captain Beefheart's Magic Band, formed Gods & Monsters in 1989, toured extensively worldwide playing scores of film and music festivals, and recorded 50 albums in a variety of genres, either as a soloist or collaborator--including Leonard Bernstein, Jeff Buckley, John Cale, Nick Cave, Lou Reed; and worked w/ DJ Spooky, John Zorn, Nona Hendryx, and Allen Ginsberg. His 2021 CD, The Essential Gary Lucas, spans 40 years--a body of work covering psychedelic rock, film scores, classical, jazz, electronic, blues, Chinese pop, Hungarian folk, and raga. Rollingstone calls Lucas "One of the best and most original guitarists in America."  Mr. Lucas previously appeared here in 2003, 2006, 2011, and 2018. Mr. Lucas performs Sat: April 22 at 9 pm to Orson Welles' cult curio, Too Much Johnson.

Hotel X is a Richmond Afrodelic funk group founded in 1992 that has "hosted"  countless talented cohorts over the years, hence the name. The band has recorded nine albums, toured extensively, and via a repertoire of jazz, funk, Cuban, Brazilian, and  Jamaican, found themselves at the source-Africa-with numerous musical collaborations evolving. Often featured in sound bites on NPR, Hotel X also collaborated with JRFF in 2006 and 2010. Hotel X is Tim Harding, alto sax/ Tyler Donnelly, tenor sax/ Chris Vasi, guitar/ Charles Hunter, keyboards/ Carter Blough, bass/ Hunter Duke, drums/ Jeff Morris, percussion/ James McDonald, percussion/ Mike Reitz, percussion. See and hear Hotel X do "city symphony" films Friday, April 21, at 7:30 pm, at Grace Street Theater.

Susan Donnelly is director/producer of  Alliance, educated at Harvard and Tufts, and is currently Art Director for the D.C. Independent Film Forum. She has worked with the National Geographic and Discovery Channels and the American Film Institute; she is a past recipient of the Randy Goldman scholarship from Women in Film and Video.Ms. Donnelly screens her feature film, Alliance, Saturday, April 22, at 1:30 pm.

Sun V Set features the musical expressions of:

• Linnea Morgan, vocals, guitar, violin

• Ethan Kuhn, bass

• Ethan Johnstone, drums, production
  
  Describe their sound as "love songs for the elements"; their recent single is "LA Electric", w/ a new EP soon. Sun V Set performs at VMFA Sunday, April 23, at 3:30 pm with films by Maya Deren.

Ted Salins was educated at VCU and Pratt and teaches film production/film studies at Randolph-Macon College and Bright Point Community College. He's director of photography/ editor on Alliance, screening Sat., April 22, at 1:30 pm at the Byrd.

Good Day RVA is a non-profit collective of filmmakers/ artists showcasing RVA's diverse music scene, cultural history, and beauty. Founded in 2012 by Chris Damon, Evan Hoffman, Will Weaver, and Matt Conan, Good Day's central focus is RVA Live Music--original videos pairing local musicians and iconic locations that match their sound and aesthetic. Join us as Chris Damon and crew screen Live Music videos at the Byrd Theatre on Saturday, April 22, at 6 pm.

The Good Road is an inspiring and popular PBS-TV documentary series co-hosted by Craig Martin and Earl Bridges, who travel the world seeking "do-gooders and change makers" addressing global humanitarian issues. Join Mr. Martin as he screens two episodes focusing on the James River region Saturday, April 22, at 11:00 am, at The Byrd.

The Seymores are a Richmond-originated band of 1993-1998 with VCU roots, who have recently reformed--current lineup:

• David Fera, guitar, vocals

• Joe Nio, guitar, vocals

• EJ Herczyk, bass

• Steve Pletch, drums

• Ricky Tubb, keyboards, guitar, engineer

They play live at The Byrd Saturday, April 22, w/ Richmond Music Videos!

Vulgar Bulgars is a Richmond-based quartet who have played together variously for 20 years, sharing a passion for performing and a love for soulful Kletzmer music. They are

• Ben Grondahl, clarinet

• Ezra Freeman, bass

• CJ Alicea, drums

• Kassia Arbadi, fiddle.

Hear them live at the VisArts Center on Thursday, April, at 7:30 pm before a screening of Ukrainian director Alexander Dovzhenko's Earth ('30).

Venues:

• Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary Street

• Virginia Museum of Fine Arts,  200 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard

• Visual Arts Center, 1812 W. Main Street

• Grace Street Theater, 934 W. Grace Street

• Richmond Main Public Library, 101 E. Franklin Street

Festival Committee:

Coleman Jennings, Michael Jones, Vilma Jones (illustration/ volunteers), Jameson Price, Laney Sullivan, Steven Warrick (layout)

Special thanks:

Gary Lucas, Hotel X, Sun V Set, Seymores, Vulgar Bulgars, Susan Donnelly, Richmond Public Library, Good Day RVA, VCU's Dept. of Photography & Film, Plan 9, Trent Nicholas & VMFA staff, NY Deli, VisArts, Byrd Theatre & staff, Le Lew & Grace St. Theater, WRIR, VPM, Style Weekly, Don Harrison, Jerry Williams, Heather Waters & RIFF, Brent Baldwin, Craig Martin & Good Road, Richmond Free Press, Kevin Hosmann, Alyssa Salomon, John Venable, Zooom Printing, Grasshopper Film, VA Film Office, Linden Row Inn, Adventures in T-Shirt Land, the advertisers, donors, & volunteers!

~~~

Sneak Peek - Catch 'ALLIANCE' at this year's JRFF!

Produced and directed by Susan Donnelly and filmed by Ted Salins, ALLIANCE aims to capture the unique story of the first successful Jewish farming community in the United States, the Alliance Colony. Founded in 1882, the Alliance Colony was a first-time social experiment, bringing persecuted Russian Jews to the United States to form an agricultural-based community. ALLIANCE is a unique and inspiring true story—a story of bravery, immigration, resilience, and family.

Be sure to check out ALLIANCE at this year’s JRFF, Saturday April 22, 2023 at they Byrd Theatre, 1;30PM - $8.

Hang around after for a Q&A with the Director and Cinematographer!

Click here for advance tickets!

In memory of Tom Verlaine

It's with sadness but with fond memories that we're posting a clip from Television frontman Tom Verlaine's visit to the 7th James River Film Festival in 2000. Tipped off by Steve Wilson that Verlaine was touring with a package of vintage avant-garde films, we soon got in touch with him--by telephone!--and he agreed to come down, but we'd have to fly his accompanist, Jimmy Rip, in from LA. The night they got in after our other programs were finished, they asked to go out to hear some live music, so we took them to Jimmy's, the now-defunct jazz club at Broad and Meadow, where they marveled at the low cost of the drinks!

On Sunday, April 16th, at the Byrd Theater, the performance was packed and Verlaine went off with his loopy guitar solos backed by session guitarist Rip, they played to Star of the Sea (Man Ray), Fall of the House of Usher (Watson & Webber), The Life & Death of 9413: A Hollywood Extra (Florey & Vorkapich), Emak Bakia (Man Ray), They Caught the Ferry (Dreyer), Autumn Mist (Kirsanoff), and Ballet Mechanique (Leger). At the end, the applause rained down, and Verlaine humbly stood and acknowledged the crowd, urged on by Rip.

Tom, we barely knew ye, but we thank you and will forever remember you!

-Michael Jones

Gary Lucas - JRFF 2023

via Gary Lucas

”TOO MUCH: Just confirmed, on Sat. April 22nd I am returning for my fifth appearance performing in Richmond Virginia at the fantastic JAMES RIVER FILM FESTIVAL with my live score accompanying Orson Welles's 1938 silent surrealist farce "TOO MUCH JOHNSON". This will take place at Richmond's sumptuous art-deco palace The Byrd Theatre and I am so looking forward to performing there again. My last appearance playing with this film was sold-out at the Noorderzon Festival in Groningen Netherlands recently, and I am keen to play with the film again! I'm told by festival organizer Mike Jones that one of Orson Welles's favorite Mercury Theater players, Joseph Cotten, the star of this madcap film, is buried nearby — so a trip to his final resting place is de rigeur.”

More about "Too Much Johnson": http://garylucas.com/www/tmj/tmj.shtml

photo by Phil Mango

Full festival line up will be announced in the coming months. We hope to see you all at this year’s James River Film Festival!