Arts & Culture

38th Virginia Film Festival to include Springsteen biopic, ‘Frankenstein’ and more

This year’s Virginia Film Festival, running from Oct. 22 to 26, will screen more than 100 feature-length and short films and feature guests like “Sinners” star Miles Caton and the Emmy-winning “Succession” title theme composer Nicholas Britell.

The festival’s opening night film, “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere,” stars Golden Globe-winning actor Jeremy Allen White as the Boss. Festival advisory board member Scott Cooper directed the movie, which tells the story behind Bruce Springsteen’s album “Nebraska,” including the singer’s experience with depression during his rise to stardom.

actor Jeremy Allen White portrays musician Bruce Springsteen playing his guitar sitting by a lake house window.

The festival’s opening night film is the Bruce Springsteen biopic, “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere.” (Contributed photo)

“It’s a really beautiful film that I think is a fascinating look at his life during that period,” said Jody Kielbasa, the film festival’s executive director.

The festival, a program of the University of Virginia, is celebrating its 38th year. A full list of screenings is available online.

The festival’s programming is wide-ranging, including “Frankenstein” from director Guillermo del Torro and the film “Jay Kelly,” starring George Clooney as an actor embarking on a journey through Europe with his manager, played by Adam Sandler. Composer Nicholas Brittell, who received Oscar nominations for his work on “Moonlight” and “If Beale Street Could Talk,” will participate in a post-screening talk and receive the Achievement in Film Composition award.

Get ready for the ride — shop the UVA Bookstore.

The festival has added to its list of speakers and panelists this year.

“We’re going rather expansive with our guest list this year, in order to throw focus on all aspects of making movie magic,” Ilya Tovbis, the festival’s artistic director, said. “In addition to bringing in directors, producers and actors, we’ve invited significant number of craft people such as cinematographers, production designer, composers, casting agents and more.”

Among those invited to this year’s festival is Miles Caton, the breakout star of the horror movie “Sinners.” The festival is hosting a reprisal screening of the film, which bucked industry trends by being a top-grossing original screenplay. Caton, a renowned musician before he booked his first acting gig, will speak and perform after the film.

“His portrayal really is so much at the heart of what was being done in that film. Beyond just being a traditional horror film, it played into the roots and the history of African American music,” Kielbasa, also UVA’s vice provost for the arts, said.

still image from the film “Pep Banned” of the musical group running onto the UVA field during a performance.

“Pep Banned” is a documentary on UVA’s unconventional – and often controversial – “scramble band,” barred from performing at athletic events since 2003. (Contributed photo)

Festival attendees interested in University history won’t be disappointed. “Pep Banned,” a documentary from directors Bill Reifenberger and Chris Farina, looks at UVA’s controversial musical ensemble that officially parted ways with the University in 2003.

Tickets go on sale to the public at noon Friday and will be available online. You can pick up tickets in person at the UVA Arts Box Office and by phone at 434-924-3376. Beginning Oct. 20, tickets will also be available at the film festival’s downtown box office in the lobby of Violet Crown theaters. UVA students can get tickets for the festival’s entire lineup for free.