VIRGINIA INDY FILM COMPETITON FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

Congratulations to the finalists of the 2nd annual Virginia Independent Film Competition.

Documentary Finalists are: Saving Grace, Eric Futterman director and producer; The Community Model in Corrections, Lucas Krost director, Alexandra Krost producer; The Flyingest Flying, Josh Criss director and producer.
Short Film Finalists are: Concept of Beauty, Benny Oliveri and Martin Montgomery, directors, Scott Strimple and Jude Fageas, producers; Harmony Ranch, Hal Dowdy director, Mark Remes producer; La Vie est Courte (Life is Short) Sallie Keena director, Joe Carabeo producer; Singed, A. A. Thweatt director, A. A. Thweatt, Jasmine Kettenacker producers; Tide, Shane Rocheleau director, Jacob Dodd, Bryant Dameron, Shane Rocheleau producers; Cannibal Cheerleader Camp, Paul Busetti director, Paul Busetti, Ian Albetski, Colin Lamb producers.

Feature Film Finalists are: In The Pines, Chip Johnson director and producer; Singularity, Paul Gleason director, Nathan Burns, Paul Gleason and Sarah Masters producers; Recover Me, Dahsheen Amin director. Go here for more information about the films including actors and plot descriptions.

VIRGINIA INDY FILM FESTIVAL APRIL 26The finalist films from this year’s Virginia Independent Film Competition will be screened at the Virginia Independent Film Festival on April 26 at the Byrd Theatre, 2908 West Cary Street, Richmond. Documentaries will be screened from Noon-4pm, shorts from 4pm-6pm and features from 6pm–10 pm. Each series will feature a Q & A with filmmakers and an Audience Choice Award. Admission is $5 for each series, or $10 for an all-day pass. Students with ID and Virginia Production Alliance members can purchase an all-day pass for $5.00. Proceeds from the Festival will benefit the Virginia Production Alliance and its legislative and educational initiatives.

VIRGINIA SCREENWRITING COMPETITION DEADLINE MAY 22
The Virginia Film Office is now accepting submissions for the Virginia Screenwriting Competition through May 22. This competition is open to Virginia residents and students attending Virginia schools. No entry fee is required. Go here for information, competition rules and application.

SUNSHINE CLEANING OPENS NATIONWIDE
When Richmond screenwriter Megan Holley won the Virginia Screenwriting Competition in 2006, she didn’t know how much her life would change. One of the judges optioned her screenplay and produced it starring Emily Blunt, Amy Adams and Alan Arkin. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and recently opened nationwide. It’s a quirky, funny story of a single mother who starts a biohazard removal/crime scene clean-up service with her unreliable sister. The film is shown at theatres throughout the state. Go here for information.

JAMES RIVER FILM FESTIVAL IN RICHMOND APRIL 12—19
The 16th annual James River Film Festival—Virginia’s Festival for the Independent-minded—will be held April 12-19, 2009 in Richmond. A celebration and examination of independent cinema, the James River Film Festival is produced by the Richmond Moving Image Co-op and is co-sponsored by WRIR 97.3 LPFM, the Virginia Film Office, the Virginia Production Alliance and Friends of the Festival. The week-long event has a wide range of films and events including a reception and juried competition sponsored by the Virginia Film Office and the Virginia Production Alliance on Friday, April 17. Go here for the complete schedule

VIRGINIA PRODUCTION ALLIANCE ELECTS OFFICERS
At its annual meeting in March, the Virginia Production Alliance elected new officers: Mark Remes, President; Kahil Dotay, First Vice President; Anne Chapman, Second Vice President; Jennifer Pullinger, Secretary; Al Shapiro, Treasurer and Terry Stroud, Chairman. VPA-Hampton Roads Chair Hunter Thomas was also elected.
Thanks to outgoing board members Ellie St. John, Joe Cacciotti, Barbara Guerriri and Todd Raviotta.

LAKE CITY ON DVD
The feature film Lake City, shot in the Richmond area and starring Sissy Spacek, Dave Matthews and Troy Garity, is now available on DVD. Go here for movie information. Go here for the DVD on Amazon.com.