The local community can experience the thrills and surprises of the 85th Academy Awards on Feb. 24 at the “Oscar Experience: Charlottesville” party, benefitting the Virginia Film Festival’s Outreach and Education Program.

The Virginia Film Festival is presented by the University of Virginia and its College of Arts & Sciences.

The Charlottesville event is one of 45 parties officially sanctioned by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences that will be held across the country on Oscar night.

“Oscar Experience: Charlottesville” will be hosted by Wells Fargo and held at the Paramount Theater, beginning at 7 p.m. General admission tickets are $45 ($100 for VIP access) and are available online. Beginning Tuesday, tickets can be purchased on weekdays from noon to 5 p.m. by phone at 434-924-3376 and in person at the U.Va. Arts Box Office in the lobby of the Drama Building.

The Charlottesville audience will watch the Academy Awards telecast live on large screens, courtesy of ABC-16, Charlottesville’s ABC affiliate. This is the 20th year that the Academy and ABC have cooperated with local charities to support official “Oscar Experience: Benefits” viewing parties across the country, and the fourth year that Charlottesville’s party has been sanctioned by the Academy.

“Oscar Experience: Benefits” parties last year raised more than $3.1 million in 49 cities. All money raised stays in the local community.

The Academy will provide VIP guests in Charlottesville the same official program distributed to guests at the Oscar presentation in Hollywood.

Guests will walk the red carpet, enjoy some of the finest Virginia wines and sample the cuisine of the newly launched Glass Haus Kitchen before sitting back and enjoying the presentation, which will be hosted by Charlottesville Newsplex and Charlottesville Radio Group personalities.

“Oscar night generates excitement all over the world,” Virginia Film Festival Director Jody Kielbasa said. “For the past three years, with the Academy’s help, we have given our community the literal red carpet treatment while providing a unique and fun-filled Academy Awards experience. We look forward to another great turnout this year as the event will benefit our outstanding Outreach and Education Program, which brings the magic of the movies to thousands in our area each year.”

Fresh off a record-breaking 25th-anniversary year, the Virginia Film Festival has grown into one of Virginia’s premier cultural landmarks and earned a reputation as one of the nation’s leading regional festivals. Each year, it presents a collection of films and events, including some of the hottest titles on the festival circuit, cutting-edge documentaries, beloved classics, acclaimed foreign films and more – accompanied by discussions with a diverse collection of special guests and cultural experts.

The festival’s Outreach and Education Program features a year-round series of programs and events, including:

• The Young Filmmakers Academy student filmmaking initiative
• The Action! High School Filmmaking Competition
• The Adrenaline Film Project
• The Digital Media Gallery
• Student screenings of culturally and historically relevant documentaries for area students
• Community partnerships that encourage understanding and conversation around important issues in our community and society
• The festival’s annual Family Day presentation, featuring free screenings and family-friendly performances, activities and events