Universal Pictures has shared that the Pharrell Williams’ biopic “Golden” (formerly “Atlantis”), filmed in Virginia in 2024, has been canceled during post-production. Statement from Andy Edmunds, director of the Virginia Film Office: “We are extremely disappointed that the movie will not make it to a global audience. This is no reflection on the hundreds of… Read more »
Hotline: Press
VIRGINIA FILM OFFICE ANNOUNCES 2024 VIRGINIA SCREENWRITING COMPETITION WINNERS
The Virginia Film Office announced the three winners of the 2024 Virginia Screenwriting Competition. The annual event, founded in 1989, was created to promote Virginia’s in-state talent and encourage aspiring screenwriters. The winners and their screenplays, all feature-length, are Gina DeAngelis (Williamsburg) for The Knocking at the Marsh, Kenneth Maitland (Richmond) for Lynnhaven, and Kayla… Read more »
11.04.24
Margaret Finucane
Governor Glenn Youngkin Announces Universal Pictures’ Pharrell Williams Project to Film in Virginia
Governor Glenn Youngkin Announces Universal Pictures’ Pharrell Williams Project to Film in Virginia RICHMOND, VA – Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced that an upcoming untitled Pharrell Williams feature film from Universal Pictures will film throughout Central and Coastal Virginia this spring and summer. The coming-of-age musical is set in Virginia Beach in the summer of… Read more »
04.05.24
Margaret Finucane
Richmond, Virginia Makes MovieMaker Magazine’s Best Cities to Live and Work as a Filmmaker 2024 List
MovieMaker Magazine released their 2024 list of best cities to live and work as a moviemaker, and own Richmond, Virginia made the list. MovieMaker noted Richmond’s myriad of contemporary and historical locations, film-friendly environment, customizable incentives, and celebrated film festivals like the Virginia Film Festival within an hour’s drive. “[Virginia] goes above and beyond to… Read more »
01.22.24
Margaret Finucane
Announcing the Winners of the 2023 Virginia Screenwriting Competition
RICHMOND, VA — The Virginia Film Office has announced the three winners of the 2023 Virginia Screenwriting Competition, an annual event founded in 1989 as a way to promote Virginia’s in-state talent and give exposure to aspiring screenwriters. The winners and their screenplays are Jody Matzer (Richmond) for SHARKS & MINNOWS, Lindsey Paulette (Richmond) for… Read more »
10.30.23
Margaret Finucane
Richmond – Major Television Production Props and Set Auction – 9/28 and 9/29
Cannon’s will be auctioning off items from the set of a familiar series that filmed in Virginia, and the auction link is now live! The Richmond Times-Dispatch gives a great overview of the opportunity in an article below. Proceeds from the auction will go directly toward growing and supporting the film industry in Virginia. Auctions days… Read more »
09.18.23
Margaret Finucane
VIRGINIA FILM OFFICE ANNOUNCES 2022 VIRGINIA SCREENWRITING COMPETITION WINNERS
VIRGINIA FILM OFFICE ANNOUNCES 2022 VIRGINIA SCREENWRITING COMPETITION WINNERS ~Winners are from Richmond, Charlottesville, and Norfolk ~ RICHMOND, VA — The Virginia Film Office has announced the three winners of the 2022 Virginia Screenwriting Competition, an annual event founded in 1989 as a way to promote Virginia’s in-state talent and give exposure to aspiring screenwriters.… Read more »
11.07.22
Margaret Finucane
Virginia’s Own Erica Arvold Nominated for a 2022 Creative Emmy Award for Location Casting of the Hulu Series Dopesick
Virginia’s Own Erica Arvold Nominated for a 2022 Creative Emmy Award for Location Casting of the Hulu Series Dopesick Arvold’s Team Cast Over 200 Local and Regional Actors for the Series Monday, August 22, 2022 – Charlottesville, VA, Casting Director Erica Arvold has been nominated for a 2022 Creative Emmy Award for Location Casting of… Read more »
08.22.22
Margaret Finucane
Governor Glenn Youngkin Welcomes Back Season 2 of CBS Studios and Imagine Television Studios Series ‘Swagger’ to Film in Virginia
RICHMOND, VA – Governor Youngkin announced today that season 2 of the popular streaming series Swagger, produced by Imagine Television Studios and CBS Studios, is set to film in Virginia this summer. “We look forward to welcoming the team behind this engaging series back to the Commonwealth,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “Virginia has a rich history of great basketball… Read more »
07.12.22
Margaret Finucane
VPA – Legislative Update – Film Incentives
Legislative Update 2022 General Assembly Status Update: We wanted to give you an update on Film Incentives and Budgeting during the 2022 Session of the General Assembly stands. Increased support for film in Virginia is back in the final budget with an increase of $2 million in the biennial budget for the Governor’s Motion Picture… Read more »
06.21.22
Margaret Finucane
Statewide – Potential Scam/Phishing – ‘Only in the Moonlight’
Several crew members have made the Virginia Film Office and Virginia Production Alliance aware of a potential scam in which ‘producers’ for a production entitled “Only in the Moonlight” reached out via email offering above-industry wages in several parts of the state, asking for personal information to set up payment, and are implying that they… Read more »
03.30.22
Margaret Finucane
VPA: Film Industry Support Information
From the Virginia Production Alliance: Please see the attached link from the Washington Post, published by Beau Cribbs. It encourages Virginia legislators to support increases in film incentives. See the link to the article here. Below the link, we are providing contact information to key members in the House of Delegates Finance Committee and the State… Read more »
02.08.22
Margaret Finucane
VIRGINIA FILM OFFICE ANNOUNCES 2021 VIRGINIA SCREENWRITING COMPETITION WINNERS
VIRGINIA FILM OFFICE ANNOUNCES 2021 VIRGINIA SCREENWRITING COMPETITION WINNERS ~Winners are from Roanoke, Richmond, and Falls Church ~ RICHMOND, VA — The Virginia Film Office has announced the three winners of the 2021 Virginia Screenwriting Competition, an annual event founded in 1989 as a way to promote Virginia’s in-state talent and give exposure to… Read more »
11.01.21
Margaret Finucane
Governor Northam Announces Production of ‘Raymond and Ray’ in Virginia
Original release here. RICHMOND—The Governor today announced that the feature film Raymond and Ray, from Apple Original Films, will shoot in Central Virginia this fall. The film stars Ethan Hawke (Before Sunset, Boyhood) and Ewan McGregor (Halston, Fargo). Raymond and Ray tells the story of half-brothers who have lived in the shadow of a difficult father.… Read more »
09.17.21
Margaret Finucane
ALL – TV premiere of ‘The Art of Willie Crockett & Virginia’s Eastern Shore’ docu from VA filmmaker – Aug 1 – Free
New documentary The Art of Willie Crockett and Virginia’s Eastern Shore from Virginia filmmaker Dave Miller airs August 1 on MPT The Art of Willie Crockett and Virginia’s Eastern Shore, a new documentary about one of the Chesapeake Bay region’s most celebrated artists, will have its TV premiere on Maryland Public Television (MPT) at 4:30… Read more »
07.22.21
Margaret Finucane
Governor Northam Announces Production of Feature Film “Tapawingo” in Virginia
RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam today announced that the Foggy Bottom Pictures feature film Tapawingo will shoot in locations across Central Virginia this summer. The coming-of-age comedy starring Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite, Blades of Glory) and Billy Zane (Titanic, Curfew) will film in Hopewell with additional locations in Petersburg and Richmond. Tapawingo tells the story of a listless oddball who… Read more »
06.08.21
Margaret Finucane
Governor Northam Welcomes Filming of New Hulu Limited Series ‘Dopesick’ to Virginia
RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam today announced that Dopesick, the upcoming Hulu eight-episode limited series, will film in Central Virginia, the Shenandoah Valley, and the Roanoke regions, including Clifton Forge, this winter and is anticipated to continue through the spring. Developed by writer and executive producer Danny Strong, Dopesick is inspired by the bestselling book “Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the… Read more »
11.25.20
Margaret Finucane
Important Updates to REBUILD VA Covid-19 Grant Program – Eligibility Expanded & Funding Increased
If you are a small business, non-profit, or sole proprietor affected by COVID-19, please take a minute to review the below info to see if you are now eligible for grant assistance, or now eligible for more funds even if you were approved and received assistance from this program already. Governor Northam’s grant program REBUILD… Read more »
11.02.20
Margaret Finucane
Casting, commercial, Competitions, Crew Positions, Education, Events, Jobs, Press
Governor Northam Announces $70 Million Rebuild VA Economic Recovery Fund for Small Businesses, Nonprofits Impacted by COVID-19
**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 »
07.30.20
Margaret Finucane
Casting, commercial, Competitions, Crew Positions, Education, Events, Jobs, Press, Production
Notice Regarding Production in the Commonwealth of Virginia
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 »
05.22.20
Margaret Finucane
VIRGINIA PRODUCTION ALLIANCE COVID-19: Relief Options for Small Businesses and Freelancers (Free Live Webinar)
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 »
04.15.20
Margaret Finucane
Casting, commercial, Competitions, Crew Positions, Education, Events, Jobs, Press, Production
Statewide – COVID19 Resources for Industry from the Virginia Production Alliance
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 »
04.03.20
Margaret Finucane
Casting, commercial, Crew Positions, Education, Events, Jobs, Press, Production
A Letter to Our Virginia Film Community
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 »
03.17.20
Margaret Finucane
Casting, commercial, Competitions, Crew Positions, Education, Events, Jobs, Press, Production
RICHMOND NAMED TO MOVIEMAKER MAGAZINE’S 2020 BEST PLACES TO LIVE AND WORK AS A MOVIEMAKER
Richmond, VA – The Virginia Film Office today announced that Richmond has been named one of MovieMaker magazine’s Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker in 2020, ranking fifth out of ten smaller city and town finalists. MovieMaker determined the winners using surveys, editorial research on tax incentives and recent productions, and personal… Read more »
02.04.20
Margaret Finucane