If you plan to go to the movies at the Downtown Mall this weekend, you may be surprised by the number of other people with the same plans. Many of them, however, will not be students or even Charlottesville residents.
This week Charlottesville hosts the 17th annual Virginia Film Festival which brings Hollywood and all its jazz to the University.
Although some University students said they think it is exciting to have a national film festival taking place in the midst of Charlottesville, they find it difficult to attend.
"It's really cool that Virginia has a film festival," second-year College student Abby Winship said. "But a lot of the films are during regular school hours, so it is difficult to go and watch them."
Despite potential scheduling difficulties, the festival coordinators are attempting to foster student attention with events such as today's pre-festival kickoff at 9 p.m. at the University amphitheatre.
"It is a free admission kick-off event especially intended for the University students," Film Festival Publicist Anne Hooff said. "They will be able to enjoy refreshments and plenty of surprises."
The event will feature director Jeff Wadlow, winner of the national Chrysler Million Dollar Film Competition and a Charlottesville native. Wadlow will launch 12 filmmaking teams on their 72-hour Adrenaline Film Project during the Film Festival.
Students will also be able to enjoy a free film screening today that reflects the festival's theme this year: "Speed."
Festival guests this year will include famous Hollywood directors, writers and actors including "Taxi Driver" writer Paul Schrader and actress Sandra Bullock.
"In the last two years, I never felt like anyone that interesting came," Winship said. "This year Sandra Bullock is coming and that's like 'Wow.'"
The festival runs through Sunday, so students can take advantage of their Art$ dollars to watch more than 40 movie screenings ranging from classics such as Steve McQueen's "The Great Escape" to world premieres.
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