The RIFF Arts Institute is Awarded a Grant from the Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond Funding to be Dedicated to Unemployed Artists Impacted by COVID-19 To learn more and apply, visit their site.  The RIFF Arts Institute (RAI) has been awarded a grant from the Community Foundation’s Central Virginia COVID-19 Response Fund advisory committee… Read more »

Please join us for a presentation by longtime VPA lobbyist Josh Myers where he will answer questions about the state of film incentives and how you can get involved in legislative activity. Josh has represented the VPA on Capitol Hill for more than a decade, helping to increase the Virginia film incentive program in the process. Josh… Read more »

**Film/production companies, sole proprietors, and independent contractors in the industry that meet additional listed criteria can qualify for this program. Please see below.** Governor Ralph Northam today announced $70 million for small businesses and nonprofit organizations whose normal operations were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding will be made available through Rebuild VA, a… Read more »

Please join us for a chat with B.K. Fulton, CEO of Virginia-based Soulidify Productions and the SoulVision.tv streaming app. His film, “1 Angry Black Man,” is now streaming on the Byrd Theatre’s Virtual Screening Room. B.K. Fulton is founding chairman and CEO of Soulidifly Productions, LLC, a full feature film, stage and television investment and production… Read more »

DC Camera continues to sponsor special zoom discussions as part of their Ready to Roll Initiative, about the status and future of film production during the pandemic. This week features the topic of all ‘All Things Locations,’ with Virginia’s very own Andy Edmunds, film commissioners from DC and Maryland, and experienced location manager Wes Hagan… Read more »

Headshots in The DC/VA/MD area! NYC’s Top headshot photographer Barry Morgenstein is returning for another weekend in the DC/VA/MD area for headshots Saturday, August 22nd and Sunday, August 23rd. Our location will be cleaned and scrubbed. The makeup artists will be wearing masks . Photographer Barry Morgenstein is more than 6 feet away when shooting. … Read more »

The Byrd Theatre is hosting a virtual (via Zoom) Q&A session tomorrow evening (Wednesday, June 17, 2020) at 7pm with Richmond VPA Board Member and filmmaker Teddy Leinbach and hosted by Byrd Theatre Board Member and Richmond VPA Chair Steve Taylor.   They will be discussing Teddy’s documentary film 50 Over. 50 Over documents an epic road trip… Read more »

Join the Virginia Film Office on Wednesday, May 27 at 1 PM on Instagram Live for our first interview in a series of talks we’re simply calling VIFFL Conversations — intimate chats between film office director Andy Edmunds and various friends in the industry with strong Virginia ties. We begin with a special one; Mark… Read more »

Virginia is currently open to all safe, responsible production, following the suggested best health and safety practices set forth by the Virginia Department of Health, and Governor Northam’s Guidelines for All Business Sectors. The Virginia Film Office places the highest priority on the health and safety of our film community members.  As localities continue to enact measures toward… Read more »

Who: Light House Studio What: Summer Film Academy Where: Online When: June 1 – August 21 (workshops are one week, M – F) How Much: Prices vary. Financial aid available. See our website for more details.   2020 ONLINE SUMMER FILM ACADEMY UPDATE We hope you and your families are figuring your ways through quarantine.… Read more »

Who: Light House Studio What: Online Masterclass with Hollywood Executive Jocelyn Diaz (bio below) When: May 19, 5:30 – 6:30pm EST Where: Online via Zoom link How: Register on our website HERE and pay what you can ($20 suggested value) About Jocelyn Diaz After graduating from the University of Virginia in 1999 with a degree in… Read more »

Dear Friends, As communities begin moving toward measured economic re-opening, please stay tuned for updates and links to best practices and suggested guidelines.  Our goal will always be to ensure the safest return to the work we know and love. At this time we ask that everyone adhere to all health and safety practices recommended… Read more »

2020 VPA SCREENWRITING CONTEST CALLING ALL SCREENWRITERS, CALLING ALL SCREENWRITERS! Have you been sitting around bored in your house feeling like your creative juices are starting to fade because of this pandemic? Do you have an old script you have been hanging on to waiting for the right time? Why don’t you pick up that old script that… Read more »

Richmond International Film Festival presents the RIFFx Online Series, co-presented by the RIFF Arts Institute. Monday, May 4 at 2pm RIFFx Series episode features 16 BARS with some very special guests! Catch it at 2pm Eastern time via Facebook Live Broadcast @ Facebook.com/RVAFilmFest

The #23rdTIVAPeerAwards will be streaming live from the facilities at Interface Media Group and Glass River Media (taking care to observe all social-distancing protocols) on Sunday, May 3, starting with a “virtual cocktail hour” at 5:30p and the ceremony itself at 6:15p. We will embed the YouTube livestream on our website, www.tivadc.org, and you can view directly from  YouTube here,… Read more »

Melissa Houghton, Executive Director of Women and Film in Video presents information pertinent to the industry. Networking from 6-630pm* Then Melissa Hougton at 6:30 with topics followed by Q&A. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9162883008?pwd=NTJnL01EMVFlbWZJTGN6N1hUSEwvZz09 The Zoom link is above for April 30, 2020 at 6pm. *If you are unfamiliar with Zoom – PLEASE join early! As a courtesy to… Read more »

Created to help independent filmmakers get their films started or completed, the 2nd Roy W. Dean Grant of 2020 is now open for applications.  Grant winner will receive $3,500 cash as well as $20,000 more in film goods and production services.   Founded in 1993 by  Carole Dean, President of top rated non-profit  From the… Read more »

Richmond International Film Festival presents the RIFFx Online Series, co-presented by the RIFF Arts Institute. The first discussion will take place April 27 at 2:00pm eastern time via our Facebook Live Video feed. To tune in, simply visit the page and click to watch the live broadcast. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RVAFilmFest  Also, feel free to send questions… Read more »

VIRGINIA PRODUCTION ALLIANCE COVID-19: Relief Options for Small Businesses and Freelancers (LIVE Webinar)  FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020 — 12 PM (NOON) LOCATION:  ZOOM WEBINAR This live, 1-hour session will be presented by Timm Johnson, Director of the George Mason University Small Business Development Center. He will share valuable information on relief options and resources available to business owners impacted by COVID-19.  As director of… Read more »

VIRGINIA PRODUCTION ALLIANCE COVID-19: Relief Options for Small Businesses and Freelancers (LIVE Webinar)  FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020 — 12 PM (NOON) LOCATION:  ZOOM WEBINAR This live, 1-hour session will be presented by Timm Johnson, Director of the George Mason University Small Business Development Center. He will share valuable information on relief options and resources available to business owners impacted by COVID-19.  As director of… Read more »

The Virginia Production Alliance is well aware of the situation that the coronavirus has brought to our livelihoods. We have collected resources from our allies at the Virginia Film Office, IATSE, SAG-AFTRA, Virginia Chamber, and Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association that may help you through this time. Unemployment Filing information: An unemployment insurance claim is filed against the state or… Read more »

Stuck at Home 48 COVID-19 Quarantine Blues got you down? We got you! For filmmakers who are looking for a creative outlet in these uncertain times, we have the Stuck at Home 48! This is a filmmaking competition open to any filmmaker around the world. On Friday night, you will receive a secret challenge. You… Read more »

Dear Friends, As we know, our industry is made up largely of smaller companies and both creative and technical freelancers, making it very fragile in this public health crisis. This necessary lockdown has resulted in the cancellation of production activity across Virginia. This unprecedented time in history will test us all; financially, emotionally and socially.… Read more »

Calling all creatives and digital content junkies from across the globe, the 8th installment of DC Web Fest is set to take place in Washington, D.C. Thursday, April 2nd – Sunday, April 5th, 2020! Ticket sales are now open until March 27th, 2020.  Get tickets here – https://dcwebfest.org/tickets Join us for a celebration of extraordinary digital… Read more »