Editor

MIDDLEBURG FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE OF PANELS AND FILMMAKER CONVERSATIONS

Filmmakers, actors, industry executives and journalists to gather in Virginia’s historic countryside for four days of film, wine and conversation

The Middleburg Film Festival announced today the schedule of panels and filmmaker conversations that round out the festival program. Directors, producers, industry executives and special guests will be on hand throughout the festival to discuss filmmaking and the movie business.  Highlights include a conversation with Richard LaGravanese, director and screenwriter of THE LAST FIVE YEARS, and a panel discussion with THE IMITATION GAME director Morten Tyldum, screenwriter Graham Moore, actor Allen Leech and General Michael Hayden, former director of the CIA.

The Middleburg Film Festival runs from October 30 to November 2 in Virginia’s historic wine country located one hour from Washington.

General public tickets to Middleburg Film Festival are now on sale. For ticketing, showtimes and festival information, please visit: www.middleburgfilm.org.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30

THE LAST FIVE YEARS - Opening Night Film

8:00pm – Salamander Resort & Spa

Q&A with director/screenwriter Richard LaGravenese moderated by The Washington Post’s Ann Hornaday.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31

HUMAN CAPITAL

1:30pm – Buchanan Hall  (Upperville)

The Ambassador of Italy to the United States Claudio and Mrs. Bisogniero will introduce Italy’s foreign language submission to the Oscars.

LOW DOWN

4:00pm – The Hill School  

Q&A with producers Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa.

Distinguished Costume Designer Award

8:00pm – Salamander Resort & Spa

Conversation and film tribute to Oscar-winning costume designer Colleen Atwood.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1

Panel on Film Distribution and Financing

9:30am – Library at the Salamander Resort & Spa

Rick Allen (CEO, SnagFilms), Pam Williams (Producer, LEE DANIELS’ THE BUTLER, THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN), William Hasselberger (Film/Television Financier and Producer), Lauren Versel (Producer, THE LAST FIVE YEARS, CITY ISLAND), Mark Sennet (Producer, Sennet Entertainment) discuss the changing landscape and challenges for both financing a film and reaching a wide audience.

ALL FALL DOWN

10:00am – National Sporting Library & Museum  

Q&A with director Mary Posatko.

RED ARMY

10:45am – The Hill School  

Conversation with Ted Leonsis, CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Washington Capitals, following the screening.

Master Class: Where Does the Music Come From?

12:00pm – National Sporting Library

Award-winning film composer George S. Clinton (AUSTIN POWERS) and Chair of Berklee College of Music’s film scoring department takes participants through his process of composing for film, from inception to final composition, while screening examples of his work. 

Fine Wine and Conversation

12:45pm – Boxwood Winery & Tasting Room  

Vanity Fair Special Correspondent Maureen Orth talks with producers Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa, two of Hollywood’s most accomplished and respected film producers (NEBRASKA, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, ELECTION).

MR. TURNER

2:00pm – The Hill School

Conversation with Franklin Kelly, Deputy Director and Chief Curator of National Gallery of Art and

J.M. W. Turner expert.

Distinguished Composer Award

4:00pm – Salamander Resort & Spa

Conversation with Oscar-nominated composer Marco Beltrami (THE HOMESMAN, WORLD WAR Z, HURT LOCKER, SCREAM) and performance of his scores by the Shenandoah Conservatory Symphony Orchestra accompanied by film clips.

LOW DOWN

5:30pm – The Hill School  

Q&A with with director Jeff Preiss, producers Albert Berger, Ron Yerxa, and composer Ohad Talmor.

THE IMITATION GAME – Centerpiece Film

8:00 pm – Salamander Resort & Spa

Q&A with director Morten Tyldum, screenwriter Graham Moore, actor Allen Leech and General Michael Hayden (former director of the CIA and NSA), The Washington Post’s Rajiv Chandrasekaran and moderated by John Horn, host of public radio’s arts and entertainment show,  “The Frame.”

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2

Keynote Address: “Why Films Matter”

10:00am – Library at the Salamander Resort & Spa

Join former Senator Chris Dodd, Chairman & CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America for the festival's keynote address on “Why Films Matter”.  Senator Dodd will be joined by Librarian of the Congress James H. Billington.

FORCE MAJEURE

12:30pm – Salamander Resort    

The Ambassador of Sweden to the United States Bjorn Lyrvall introduces Sweden’s foreign language submission to the Oscars.

About Middleburg Film Festival

The Middleburg Film Festival offers four days of fantastic films in a spectacular setting, only 30 minutes from Dulles International Airport and just one hour from Washington, D.C.

A carefully curated selection of narrative and documentary films will screen in an intimate theatre environment, followed by fascinating Q and A’s with world-renowned filmmakers and actors. The films include Oscar contenders, festival favorites, foreign films, regional premieres, and both narratives and documentaries.    

Festival attendees will also be able to experience the natural beauty, food, wine, and warm hospitality of Middleburg.