Now in its 31st year of supporting indie filmmakers, the Summer Grant of the Roy W. Dean Film Grants is now accepting entries. Awarded by top-rated 501(c)3 non-profit non-profit From the Heart Productions the grant seeks unique films that make a contribution to society. Deadline for grant submissions is June 30th, 2023. The grant is… Read more »

So you have legal questions about filmmaking? We know someone with answers. Join us for an evening with renowned Entertainment Lawyer & longtime VPA Sponsor Kirk Schroeder. Kirk will take your questions ranging from copyright to partnerships. Come on out to the Visual Arts Center of Richmond for answers and fellowship with the film community. When 23… Read more »

The key questions posed in the new documentary “Changemakers of the SWVA Coalfields,” are deeply felt: Can we really revitalize Southwest Virginia? How can we break down barriers to transform this proud and productive region into one that offers good-paying jobs and social vibrancy while still retaining our kind and true character?  Will our children… Read more »

“HOW TO MAKE A DOCUMENTARY FILM” WORKSHOP  Happening Saturday, May 20th, from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM,  Belltower Pictures and Oakwood Arts are hosting the fifth and final session of the “How to Make a Documentary Film” workshop series. With guest speakers Metta Bastet, Randall Taylor, Martin Montgomery, Andrew Uvarov, and Travis Tucker we will… Read more »

The Challenge: Write, shoot and edit a short film in 48 hours given a required character, prop, line of dialogue and genre just before the clock starts! Richmond’s favorite filmmaking event returns as part of a global tour where over 100 cities around the world compete to see who can make the best short film in just… Read more »

Ask an Entertainment Lawyer – With Kirk Schroeder Tuesday, May 23rd at 6:00 pm Location: Visual Arts Center, 1812 W. Main St., Richmond, VA 23220 Register at this link: https://www.virginiaproductionalliance.org/event-5246175 So you have legal questions about film making? We know someone with answers. Join us for an evening with renowned Entertainment Lawyer & longtime VPA… Read more »

The challenge: write, shoot and edit a short film in 48 hours given a required character, prop, line of dialogue and genre right before the clock starts. Have you always wanted to participate in the 48 Hour Film Project, but were daunted by the challenge? Or maybe you have done a 48, but are looking for ways to… Read more »

FREE Writing Class  with Jacob Krueger Click here to register for this event: JOIN US TONIGHT! Thursday, April 27th 7pm Eastern (NYC) / 4pm Pacific Website: https://www.writeyourscreenplay.com/

The Ashland Theatre, in partnership with Fountain Bookstore, will host the 2nd annual Ashland Book Festival on May 5 & 6, 2023.  Tickets are on sale now. On Friday, May 5, White House journalist for the New York Times and political analyst for CNN, Maggie Haberman will be here to discuss her book, Confidence Man: The… Read more »

Mason Film Festival 2023 May 4-6, 2023 Assorted Locations at GMU’s Fairfax Campus The annual Film Festival at George Mason University features diverse, original work by Film and Video Studies program students. The 2023 Festival spans three days, from Thursday, May 4 to Saturday, May 6. For more information, and to register to attend each… Read more »

To better serve local filmmakers, Docs In Progress is launching a new Fellowship for Documentary Story Development for those who are just starting out with an idea. This fellowship will be in person for 6 sessions at Docs In Progress in Silver Spring. Our Legacy Fellowship continues virtually for filmmakers who already have a treatment, have already… Read more »

Mark your calendars! Join VPA at The Visual Arts Center for an evening with our Union partners, including VPA sponsor IATSE for a discussion on How to work with Unions. Bring your questions and come out to meet some of the various union leaders in the film industry including IATSE, SAG, and others. When: April… Read more »

One of Hollywood’s brightest stars for decades, Larenz Tate (Love Jones, Menace II Society, Why Do Fools Fall in Love, Power), will be at Hampton University on Friday, April 21st from 6:30pm-9:30pm in Holland Hall. The event will be free to the public.  Acclaimed filmmaker and Hampton University film professor Rel Dowdell will be hosting… Read more »

Pitching Master Class Thursday, April 6, 2023 | 6:30 PM Join Diana Kerew and Laurie Scheer to learn how to make a masterful pitch of your film or series. The presenters bring years of experience from both sides of the desk that will be shared in this program.  Our goal is to give you the… Read more »

“HOW TO MAKE A DOCUMENTARY FILM” WORKSHOP  Happening Saturday, April 22nd, from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM,  Belltower Pictures and Oakwood Arts are hosting the fourth session of the “How to Make a Documentary Film” workshop series. With guest speakers Angi Kane, Heather Waters, and Justin Laughter we will explore the general subject of “The… Read more »

In this workshop, Elizabeth Miller will share how working with a music supervisor can help you find and license the music you want for your film. This will also be a good discussion for composers who want insights on how to get their music in front of music supervisors and into films. Start: Tuesday, April… Read more »

The 2023 Alexandria Film Festival—our 17th annual!—will take place November 9-12, 2023, in Alexandria, Virginia. We start accepting film submissions for consideration on April 3 (see below) and will shortly be posting information about the submission process on our website, www.alexfilmfest.com. Be on the lookout for that announcement!   Call for Film Submissions & Judging… Read more »

From the producer of the Richmond 48 Hour Film Project and the creator of the VHSL Film Festival comes the Short Film Series presented by the Richmond Film Network.    This experience brings together innovative, independent storytellers and discerning audiences for its monthly program of short films, compelling moderated filmmaker Q&As, and meaningful networking.   ANNOUNCING THE… Read more »

Attention Filmmakers! The Bedford Int’l Film Fest is now accepting short films, feature films and scripts for our festival on July 1, 2023 in Bedford, Virginia. Our festival showcases shorts and features from around the world. Going into our 5th year the festival will provide small cash prizes. We will have several events in the… Read more »

Attention Filmmakers!  The 2023 Call for Entries for the 36th Annual Virginia Film Festival is now open! Every year the Festival showcases new narrative and documentary features, shorts, and independent films from US and international-based filmmakers from all filmmaking backgrounds. All Virginia residents and students can submit for FREE! Dates Early Bird Deadline – May… Read more »

Tina Fey in conversation with UVA President Jim Ryan Sunday, April 23 | 3:00 PM | John Paul Jones Arena | FREE WITH TICKET The University of Virginia President’s Speaker Series for the Arts will present award-winning writer, actor, producer, and noted UVA alumna Tina Fey on April 23 at 3 pm at John Paul… Read more »

Calling all film lovers! Join Academy Award-winning cinematographer Sir Roger Deakins for a book signing and Q&A reception on Saturday, April 15th at the Mecklenburg Country Club in Chase City, VA. BOOK SIGNING: 12-4pm Q&A RECEPTION: 5-7pm (with Roger and his wife and collaborator, James, moderated by Beverly Wood, friend and worked with them for over 30 years on various film projects) His book, BYWAYS is… Read more »

Happening Saturday, March 18th, from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM,  Belltower Pictures and Oakwood Arts are hosting the third installment of the “How to Make a Documentary Film” workshop series. With guest speakers, Jesse Vaughan, Randall Taylor, and Martin Montgomery this workshop will explore the general subject of “Shooting the Film” by discussing topics surrounding cinematography, the art of interviewing, and story structure development.… Read more »

Submissions are open for the fifth installment of the Richmond Film Network Short Film Series being held on April 19, 2023 at Bow Tie Movieland, Richmond. The Short Film Series is an experience that brings together innovative, independent storytellers and discerning audiences for its monthly program of short films, compelling moderated filmmaker Q&As, and meaningful networking in a single night. Submissions from women, BIPOC, LGBTQ, and… Read more »