I’d be blogging away I assure you. I love the panel discussions, the Q&A’s and feeling a part of films I wouldn’t otherwise see (homegrown Swedish Auto being one). Chatting with filmmakers about their work is a thrill for me. I am a vigilant viewer with things to learn and to share, and I seize every chance. While I really enjoyed Swedish Auto, I remember being most captivated by Josh Robertson‘s score, and telling him so. I felt his music, not only elucidated the emotion, but elevated this honestly told and worthwhile film. If you haven’t yet seen it, you should. Goes to show: a spirit of cooperative collaboration is key.

The Virginia Film Festival will be here before you know it. With so much local talent to celebrate, we could not, and would not, ignore this special call to VA filmmakers to submit your work for free. We’re blessed the fest’s on our home turf. It’s truly not to be missed.

Submit! Volunteer! Attend!

We’ll see you there.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: John Kelly

John Kelly PR

434-296-5577 (office)

434-987-6513 (mobile)

CALL FOR ENTRIES ANNOUNCED FOR 2010 VIRGINIA FILM FESTIVAL

Filmmakers Invited To Submit Features, Documentaries and Shorts

23^rd Annual Festival Set for November 4-7 in Charlottesville

Charlottesville, VA – June 15, 2010 – The Virginia Film Festival has announced the launch of its call for entries, inviting filmmakers from the state, region and the world to submit features, documentaries and short films for consideration for the 2010 festival.

The 23^rd annual Virginia Film Festival is scheduled for November 4-7 in Charlottesville.

“Last year we were delighted with both the number and the quality of features and documentaries we received,” said Virginia Film Festival Director Jody Kielbasa, who is heading into his second year at the festival’s helm. “One of the most exciting things about attending a film festival is the opportunity to be among the first to discover new filmmakers, and our call for entries is a perfect way to do that.  Last year’s record attendance of more than 19,000 is evidence that this is a festival on the rise, and I hope our continued growth will allow us to continually expand our pool of filmmakers as we move forward.”

All submissions will be considered as long as they are received by September 8^th.  All entries must be submitted through Withoutabox (www.withoutabox.com).  Rates for film submissions will be $45 for the general public and $40 for Withoutabox members. Submissions are FREE for Virginia residents, including students. Submissions for out-of-state students are $10.

Kielbasa said the call for entries has allowed for many exciting discoveries from the festival’s home base.  “Last year we launched a Virginia Filmmakers Showcase, which I plan on making an annual tradition at the festival. The film scene here is growing and vibrant and we want to make sure the festival always provides a platform for these filmmakers.”

The Virginia Film Festival, presented by the University of Virginia’s College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, is a four-day celebration of cinema’s unique power to inspire, enlighten and entertain. It’s a chance to see first-run-features and revisit timeless classics. It’s a chance to discover new films and filmmakers, a place to hear from high-profile industry insiders and up-and-coming stars, and a forum for talented filmmakers from around the world and throughout Virginia. It’s an opportunity to hear cultural experts lead fascinating lectures and discussions that illuminate the films and themes in the context of the world in which we live today. And to top it all off, the festival features a series of special events that invite the entire community to come together and revel in the magic of the movies.

The Virginia Film Festival will announce its program for the 2010 festival in early October.  For more information on the 2010 Virginia Film Festival call for entries or to keep up with the latest news on the upcoming Festival, visit us online at www.vafilm.com.

All those interested in volunteering for this year’s Virginia Film Festival can learn more by contacting David Hopper at 434-982-5560 or emailing him at dlh2v@virginia.edu.

After work, I took “The Griz” for a walk in our ‘hood at sunset. God bless Grizzly, but it certainly hasn’t always been bliss. She’s an absolute love with people, but after having had a few run-ins with pit bulls in Los Angeles (it sounds so cliché), she gets reactive around other dogs. She’s decided the best defense is a good offense, if another dog even looks at her the wrong way. Needless to say, walking her has had me on my a**, and in tears more than a couple of times.

After six long years, we’ve finally settled on a training method that works. Even so, I always have to be on my game, because she’s such a powerful animal. No matter the species, you want your kids to play well with others, and you hurt when they hurt, and feel disappointment when they aggress. It’s been quite the learning curve for both of us.

My parental responsibility was on my mind as a woman approached with her baby in a stroller. She said to the toddler, “that’s a dog”. The child uttered, “daw”. Mom: “yes, dog.” Child: “daw”. It was so simple, yet it was a bit of an a ha moment for me, or rather a glimpse into the bigger picture of what it means to be a mother. For one brief moment I was witnessing the linguistic development of another. I wondered whom she might grow up to be, and what she’ll have to say. In truth, all of us are mothers, in that we are all creators. We give birth to our ideas and our expression. Everything starts with a seed, whether person or project.

As we rounded Belmont Park, I was basking in the amber glow of the setting sun. It’s my favorite type of light. It makes me feel caressed and gentle. Three cardinals chased each other from tree to tree, dancing to their song…

My mother is gone, but here in Charlottesville, nestled between the Blue Ridge and the Piedmont, and teeming with life, I always have Mother Nature, and the reminder that there is no limit to what we can create.

Happy Mother’s Day, y’all.

Thanks in advance to The Bridge for hosting this event. We’ll screen Robert Rodriguez’s first short, Bedhead, followed by Billy Bob Thornton’s Some Folks Call It A Sling Blade. Afterwards, there will be a moderated group discussion on the merits of each.

Both these gentlemen blazed trails with their features, but were given audience due to the success of their earlier shorts. Which approach do you prefer? Would you make an unrelated, independent short film? Or would you make a glorified trailer to pitch your project?

Whether you work in film or are a passionate filmgoer, we’d love your input.

Doors at 6:30 pm, 7:15 pm start.

Refreshments will be available for purchase. For parking and directions click here.

I’m so grateful to be a part of the CVPA, as it’s undeniably a team effort. In groups there can sometimes be a “too many cooks” feeling, yet I haven’t had that experience. Rather, the CVPA is a pooling of talents, abilities and drive, and it feeds me.

The goals of networking and making a difference are ever present. In keeping with our mission statement, the CVPA stays centered and on track with monthly events that we produce and host. As covered in my inaugural blog, the Premiere Party in March was a tremendous success and a harbinger of things to come.

On April 5^th, in coordination with Light House, a panel of seasoned industry professionals and one hustling show biz mom shared their experience with budding talent and the parents who love them, in So Your Kid Wants To Be An Actor. The panel played to a sold-out crowd and every single one of us learned something new.

Then came May and A Legal Q&A with Kirk Schroder. The hard working and generous-of-spirit Entertainment Attorney filled the room with grace and wisdom, again to a sold-out crowd. He discussed current industry trends related to production, financing, distribution and demand. While changes are almost self-evident in LA, because “the biz” is inescapable there, outside the ranks they don’t reveal themselves with lightning speed. The biz of the biz is an ever-mutable landscape, and it’s comforting to know we have someone of such esteem and kindness in our midst. It was a highly informative evening. Kirk remained until everyone’s questions were answered and delighted in doing so. We remain grateful for everyone’s participation.

CVPA’s membership is growing…please join us at the table.

From the moment I walked through the door, the party emanated a warm, welcoming vibe, a wonderful reflection of the hostess, Chair Erica Arvold, and her team. After spending 8 years in Hollywood, and having batted away the underlying feeling that those around you insist you’re not cool enough (the desperation can be palpable), it was so refreshing to be in a room full of people so open to meeting one another. That said I wish I had met even more. Yet, this premiere party was but a glimmer of what is to come from a burgeoning community with arms open wide.

Unfortunately, I missed most of the food; next time: hair be damned. I picked at the remnants of what were no doubt beautiful trays loaded up with goodies donated generously from area sponsors, namely 12th Street Tap House, Bang!, Hamilton’s, Maya, Orzo, Ventana, X-Lounge and West Main. In addition, I’ve been searching for a tech solution to salvage my reel from the corrupted file it’s become. Lo and behold, not only did that bartender open a mean Starr Hill beer (Whitehall Vineyards rounded out the offerings), but he may also be the one to fix my problem, nice having met you, Seth Wood. So what if I have to drive to Midlothian; I’ve got friends in Richmond I haven’t seen in years. Although, I would bet the solution is also somewhere here, right under my nose, underscoring the mission of CVPA.

Fortunately, there were several familiar faces, which put me at ease in a room largely full of strangers, because of an inherent sense of belonging. Charlottesville is a culturally rich community with an educated and appreciative citizenry. There’s sophistication and intellectual curiosity here. What has struck me most though, aside from its down-to-earth vibe and friendliness, is the abundant and rich creativity so generously shared. In many ways I feel I’ve made more friends here than I did in all that time in LA. Perhaps, that’s because the town is small enough that I’m bound to see them again. Perhaps, it’s because I chose well, and now find myself in the midst of like-minded people. Perhaps, it’s the feeling of coming home, or of finding one.

Hats off to the team of CVPA! Thank you for your tireless efforts in evermore uniting this vibrant community. Yeah…I think I did okay.