PART IV of the 25 Faces of The Virginia Film Festival series includes…
Dave Norris, Charlottesville City Councilor and founder of the Charlottesville Institute, Jon Parrish Peede, VFF first timer, UVA Faculty, and Panelist for Chasing Ice, Joel and Jennifer Jones, founders of Big Blue Door, Chloe Kougias, VFF intern, and Jessica Lee, VFF enthusiast and resident designer/part owner at Community Collective.
Dave Norris
Charlottesville City Councilor, Founder Charlottesville Institute
How many Virginia Film Festivals have you attended?
Ten
Which year was the most memorable? If there was a theme what was it? What film, experience and/or guest(s) stood out to you?
Don’t recall the exact year, but one of my favorite VFF memories was sitting in Newcomb Hall theater, listening to director/producer Tom Shadyac discuss his approach to filmmaking. As a former stand-up comic whose childlike enthusiasm belies his many years in the Hollywood trenches, Tom has a way about him that is one part slapstick and one part tempered ebullience. He is a real character (I mean that in the best possible way). I love how VFF attracts so many of those to our little city.
What film(s) are you most excited about this year?
I’d have to say Ross McElwee’s Sherman’s March, it sounds like a terrific film and I am related to General Sherman (though I understand he ultimately plays just a supporting role in the project).
What’s a word of advice you would give a first timer to the Virginia Film Festival?
Don’t spread yourself too thin! It’s easy to do.
Where do you go for a quick bite between movies?
Eppie’s
Where do you go for a post-movie drink?
Rapture
Dinner and a movie… Where would you recommend for dinner?
Maya
What Virginia Film Festival event are you most looking forward to?
The Adrenaline Film Project
Anything else you’d like to add, about yourself or the film festival?
Charlottesville loves the Virginia Film Festival! Here’s to another 25 fabulous years.
Jon Parrish Peede
VFF First timer, Publisher for UVA’s Virginia Quarterly Review, Panelist Chasing Ice
Buzz, rumors, chatter? What’s one thing you’ve heard about the Virginia Film Festival?
For the upcoming issue of VQR, we have a cultural essay on Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs. At the NY Film Festival, the Disney film audience was a mostly adult group; I am interested in whether the pattern will continue here. Our reporter spent a lot of time interviewing Disney about the remastered version being shown–definitely worth seeing it again, sans child or not.
What film(s) are you most excited about this year?
Amazon Gold, Chasing Ice, Rust and Bone, The Sessions, Julian Bond
Where do you go for a quick bite between movies?
Christian’s
Where do you go for a post-movie drink?
Millers
Dinner and a movie… Where would you recommend for dinner?
Hamilton’s
What Virginia Film Festival event are you most looking forward to?
The films, of course!
Anything else you’d like to add, about yourself or the film festival?
Our VQR colleague Donovan Webster has co-produced an important documentary, Amazon Gold, which I strongly recommend watching at the festival. He has a talent for reporting about pressing matters in far-flung locations.
Joel and Jennifer Jones, Big Blue Door
UVA Alum, VFF Enthusiast, Founders of Big Blue Door
How many Virginia Film Festivals have you attended?
Six
Which year was the most memorable? If there was a theme what was it? What film, experience and/or guest(s) stood out to you?
The first one I attended was in 1997. I had experienced film festivals in New York where I grew up but had no idea that Virginia offered this kind of experience, and that it was affordable to students.
What sets the Virginia Film Festival apart from other film festivals you’ve attended?
Parties, people, UVA. The films that Mr. Jefferson would have made. Madison too. Monroe would have just watched teevee.
What film(s) are you most excited about this year?
Rust and Bone, Between Us, Films by VA Filmmakers
What’s a word of advice you would give a first timer to the Virginia Film Festival?
Study your program and reserve your tickets early! I used to be a career counselor and before career fairs I used to tell students to look at who’s coming, research the companies, choose your top five first, and then see whatever else you have time for.
Where do you go for a quick bite between movies?
That Thai place, I forget it’s name.
Where do you go for a post-movie drink?
South Street
Dinner and a movie… Where would you recommend for dinner?
C&O
What Virginia Film Festival event are you most looking forward to?
The Opening Night Gala
Anything else you’d like to add, about yourself or the film festival?
We’ve just moved back to Charlottesville from New York, where we were involved in plays, shows, and reading scripts for an Emmy-nominated film producer. We have a class starting soon called Telling True Stories, which is about finding and telling true stories from your own life, and a class called Scene Sketch Scenario, which is about writing scenes, both of which are excellent building blocks for script writing. See bigbluedoor.org for details.
Chloe Kougias
VFF Intern
How many Virginia Film Festivals have you attended?
One
Which year was the most memorable? If there was a theme what was it? What film, experience and/or guest(s) stood out to you?
I went to see Farmaggedon with some friends and it was really neat to hear Joel Salatin speak after the movie about modern agricultural issues. I did not realize hoe notable of a speaker Mr. Salatin was until I later watched Food, Inc. and saw he was also involved in that movie. It is pretty neat that the Virginia Film Festival is able to get such notable speakers.
What film(s) are you most excited about this year?
A Bottle In the Gaza Sea, Silver Linings Playbook
What’s a word of advice you would give a first timer to the Virginia Film Festival?
Do a little research on the films, but don’t be afraid to pick a movie that you wouldn’t usually see. The great thing about the Festival is the wide range of films offered, and it is the perfect opportunity to try out a new genre, get a new perspective, and also find something you might like.
Where do you go for a quick bite between movies?
The Flat
Where do you go for a post-movie drink?
Zocalo
Dinner and a movie… Where would you recommend for dinner?
Revolutionary Soup
What Virginia Film Festival event are you most looking forward to?
All of them!
Anything else you’d like to add, about yourself or the film festival?
Working for the Festival has been such an amazing experience! Everyone on staff is wonderful, and you can really tell how much people in the community enjoy the Festival when you talk with them. I think the best part of the Virginia Film Festival is how it combines big name talent, and buzz worthy movies with a welcoming small town atmosphere. It has been a really exciting and rewarding thing to be a part of and I’m going to be sad when it’s all over!
Jessica Lee
Local VFF Enthusiast, part owner/resident designer Community Collective
How many Virginia Film Festivals have you attended?
One
Which year was the most memorable? If there was a theme what was it? What film, experience and/or guest(s) stood out to you?
2009
What film(s) are you most excited about this year?
House Hunting, Singularity
What’s a word of advice you would give a first timer to the Virginia Film Festival?
See everything you can!
Where do you plan to go for a quick bite between movies?
Eppie’s
Where do you plan to go for a post-movie drink?
Whiskey Jar
Dinner and a movie… Where would you want to go for dinner?
Ten
What Virginia Film Festival event are you most looking forward to?
Anything else you’d like to add, about yourself or the film festival?
Love the VFF!
Cville Niche 
Posted on November 1, 2012 by Cville Niche
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