VAFF Celebrates Music in Film
From Oct. 22-26, Charlottesville was paradise for cinephiles, as the Virginia Film Festival returned to the city for its 38th annual celebration. Screening over 130 films, this year’s VAFF truly had an option for everyone. While the festival’s “Gala Screenings” featured A-list actors and high-budget productions, other local theatres showcased high school short films and numerous panels with industry professionals. With several free events scattered throughout Charlottesville and its theatres, the VAFF generously made this five-day celebration accessible and inviting to those in our community.
Friday’s marquee event was a screening of Noah Baumbach’s Jay Kelly at the historic Paramount Theater in the Downtown Mall. Baumbach, director of 2019’s Marriage Story, tells audiences the story of a faux movie star (George Clooney) as he travels Europe with his manager (Adam Sandler) on a comical, but ultimately self-reflective, journey. Following the screening, composer Nicholas Britell was presented with the VAFF’s Achievement in Film Composition award and sat down to discuss his previous works. Britell has previously composed for 2016’s Best Picture winner Moonlight and HBO’s Succession. Britell treated those in attendance with performances and breakdowns of some of his most famous pieces.
Saturday’s film festivities included presenting actor Miles Caton with the festival’s Achievement in Film Music Award. Fans packed the Paramount for a screening of 2025’s Sinners, which Caton made his acting debut in. After the film’s conclusion, Caton returned to delight the sold-out audience with live renditions of original songs from director Ryan Coogler’s vampire film set in Jim Crow Mississippi. Coogler, who also directed both of Marvel Studios’ Black Panther films and 2015’s Creed, skillfully uses music in the film to explore themes of colonialism, racial identity, and spirituality.
I received free tickets from the Virginia Film Festival for these screenings.
