The Virginia Film Festival, from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3, features over 100 films and notable guests like Lamorne Morris and Alex Ross Perry.

The Virginia Film Festival, happening from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3, will showcase over 100 films with notable guests such as Lamorne Morris from “New Girl,” director Alex Ross Perry, and Dawn Porter. This well-known film festival in Virginia is a highlight for cinema enthusiasts.

The festival opens with “Anora,” a Palm d’Or winner from the Cannes Film Festival. It’s described as a modern screwball comedy about a Brooklyn dancer and a Russian oligarch’s son. The diverse lineup also includes “Emilia Pérez,” a musical about a drug lord, and “The Room Next Door,” Pedro Almodóvar’s English-language debut.

Jody Kielbasa, the executive director, remarked, “It’s this extraordinary slate of films that we think allows almost anyone to find something that’s of interest to them.”

Here’s some more information about the festival.

About the Virginia Film Festival

Now celebrating its 37th year, the festival is a University of Virginia initiative. Following the resolution of the writers’ and actors’ strikes, this year’s guest lineup exceeds last year’s and is still growing. Notable attendees include Jack Huston, Adam Elliot, and Tracie Laymon.

“The lineup of guests continues to come together, and the guest list will continue to grow,” said artistic director Ilya Tovbis.

The festival’s 137 films were selected from over 2,000 entries, with a focus on diverse themes like environmental cinema and Black excellence, ensuring a balanced selection.

Tovbis states, “Independent of your background, you should be able to go to any screening and see your journey represented on screen. And you should be able to go to a screening next door and see a world totally unknown to you.”

Highlighted gala screenings include “Memoirs of a Snail,” by Adam Elliot, which has won awards at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Elliot will be honored with the Achievement in Animation award.

“Saturday Night,” a film exploring moments before “Saturday Night Live’s” 1975 premiere, will feature a discussion with Lamorne Morris, who will also receive the Virtuoso Award. UVA faculty will join the film discussions.

Also featured is “Pavements,” a film about the ’90s band Pavement. The documentary links back to UVA, as band members Stephen Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich are alumni. Alex Ross Perry will receive the Directorial Achievement Award.

Discover the complete lineup here.

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