Washington West Film Festival Kicks Off Wednesday in Reston

The seventh annual Washington West Film Festival returns to Reston and other locations this Wednesday through Saturday with the theme “A Story Can Change the World.” 

The festival showcases new films from around the world and brings filmmakers and actors for conversation to Reston. All net box office proceeds help address issues like hunger, illness and limited organization, according to the festival’s website.

On Wednesday at 5 p.m., there will be a free screening of Deep — Mare Nostrum at Refraction (11911 Freedom Drive). The movie is a narrative about a woman who trains to dive in the hopes of avenging her brother’s honor, who died in a diving championship.

The premiere for Corridor Four, a movie that paints a portrait about a 9/11 first-responder, will take place Thursday at 7 p.m. at Bow Tie Cinemas (11940 Market St.). A reception and question and answer session with the filmmakers will follow the screening.

Friday’s schedule is packed with a happy hour with festival guests at Bow Tie Cinemas at 4:30 p.m. Highlights include:

• Short Film Screenings — Darkness and Light (Bow Tie Cinemas, 5 p.m.) A collection of five short films will begin screening the theater. The films center around the concept of light finding a way to shine through darkness. 
• Short Film Screenings — Leading Ladies (Bow Tie Cinemas, 6 p.m.): A second collection of six short films about leading ladies will begin, followed by a question and answer session with filmmakers.
• Clive Davis — The Soundtrack of Our Lives (Bow Tie Cinemas, 7 p.m.): This profile examines the life of Clive Davis, a legendary music man, and explores the cultural revolution of music from the 60s to the rise of hip hop.
• Family Shorts Showcase (Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station, 7:30 p.m.): A free, family-friend screening of fun short films.
• What Haunts Us (Bow Tie Cinemas, 8 p.m.): This story follows six men from the same year in high school who committed suicide.

Screenings on Saturday run from noon through 9:30 p.m. Highlights include:

• American Veteran (Bow Tie Cinemas, noon): This documentary explores challenges faced by veterans of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who survived because of advanced medical technology that did not exist in previous wars
• Free Concert: (Reston Town Center Pavilion, 5 p.m.): The event features composer and guitarist W.G. Snuffy Walden and vocalist Sara Niemietz.
• Modern Family (Bow Tie Cinemas, 7 p.m.): Guests can watch a free, advanced screening of a new episode of the show as it begins its ninth season.
• King of Peking (Bow Tie Cinemas, 9 p.m.): This international narrative explores the story of a former projectionists who encourages his young sown to start a pirate movie company.

To view the full schedule, including other events in Arlington, and to purchase tickets, visit the festival’s website.

Photo: Washington West Film Festival