The 10th Washington West Film Festival is back in-person after being canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It will feature 31 films being shown from Thursday through Monday and expand its locations to include Bow Tie Cinemas in Reston Town Center, ShowPlace Icon in The Boro Tysons, Capital One Hall in Tysons Corner and CenterStage at the Reston Community Center.
The festival kicks off Thursday night with a single 7 p.m. showing of Wes Anderson’s “The French Dispatch” at ShowPlace Icon in the Boro Tysons.
Friday’s films will begin with two blocks of short films at Bow Tie Cinemas. The first block will feature six short films focused on family bonds and the second block will consist of seven shorts documenting the journeys of characters intentionally seeking something.
The remainder of Friday’s films will begin with a double feature block entitled “Making Your Mark,” with documentaries “Love Reaches Everywhere” and “The Shoulders of Giants.” A second double feature will follow about individuals pushing their physical and emotional boundaries with a showing of “Against the Current” and “Last Know Coordinates.”
Capping Friday’s films will be the narrative film “I’M FINE (THANKS FOR ASKING)” with the short film “Are You Okay?” preceding it.
Saturday will mark the official closing night of the festival. It will begin with a 75th anniversary screening of “It’s A Wonderful Life,” and will be followed by “Five Years North” and “A Crime on the Bayou.” The evening will be capped by the Washington, D.C., premiere of the documentary “Mission: Joy – Finding Happiness in Troubled Times” and will be preceded by the short film “Alone Together.”
While the festival will close Saturday, Sunday and Monday will also feature a handful of other films.
The ShowPlace Icon will host three blocks of films on Sunday. The blocks will begin with a student showcase of films from George Mason University’s FAVS (Film and Video Studies) student festival. The day will finish off with a reshowing of Friday’s film blocks about family bonds and followed by the documented journeys of characters intentionally seeking something.
The final film on Monday will be “The Blackest Battle,” written D.C. theatre artist Psalmayene 24.
Tickets are still available for purchase on the festival website.
All proceeds of the event will be donated to four charities: Evans Home for Children in Winchester, Baltimore non-profit Blueprint, foster program Virginia Kids Belong, and The Children’s Inn at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda.
The full lineup of film blocks with their times and locations is below:
Thursday, Oct. 21
- 7 p.m. – “The French Dispatch,” at ShowPlace Icon in The Boro Tysons
Friday, Oct. 22
- 5:30 p.m. – “Shorts Program One: Family Bonds,” at Bow Tie Cinemas in Reston Town Center
- 6 p.m. – “Shorts Program Two: Seek and You Will Find,” at Bow Tie Cinemas in Reston Town Center
- 7 p.m. – “Making Your Mark,” at Bow Tie Cinemas in Reston Town Center
- 8 p.m. – “Beyond the Limits,” at Bow Tie Cinemas in Reston Town Center
- 9 p.m. – Short film “Are You Okay?” precedes “I’M FINE (THANKS FOR ASKING),” at Bow Tie Cinemas in Reston Town Center
Saturday, Oct. 23
- 10:30 a.m. – “It’s A Wonderful Life,” at Capital One Hall in Tysons Corner
- 1:30 p.m. – “Five Years North,” at Capital One Hall in Tysons Corner
- 4:30 p.m. – “A Crime on the Bayou,” at Capital One Hall in Tysons Corner
- 7:30 p.m. – Short film “Alone Together” precedes “Mission: Joy – Finding Happiness in Troubled Times,” Capital One Hall in Tysons Corner
Sunday, Oct. 24
- 1 p.m. – Showcase of “best of” films from George Mason University’s FAVS (Film and Video Studies) student festival, at ShowPlace Icon in The Boro Tysons
- 1:30 p.m. – “Shorts Program One: Family Bonds,” at ShowPlace Icon in The Boro Tysons
- 4 p.m. – “Shorts Program Two: Seek and You Will Find,” at ShowPlace Icon in The Boro Tysons
Monday, Oct. 25
- 7:30 p.m. – “The Blackest Battle,” at CenterStage in Reston Community Center
Warning about World Series Ticket Scams — “Detectives are investigating an increasing number of online and phone scams involving the sale of World Series tickets. Fans are reminded to use caution when purchasing tickets from sources other than Major League Baseball or authorized dealers. Be sure to research the vendor and review their security protocols before providing personal information or payment.” [Fairfax County Police Department]
Burglary Reported at 11600 Block of Charter Oak Court — Someone broke into the home on Oct. 23 sometime between 11:15 a.m. and 1:38 p.m. and stole personal items. The incident is under investigation. [Fairfax County Police Department]
Washington West Film Festival Continues Today — A happy hours, three shorts programs, and two films will air as part of the festival at Bow Tie Cinemas today. The festival continues through Monday (Oct. 28). [Washington West Film Festival]
Photo by Marjorie Copson
A charity film festival is coming to Reston next week.
The Washington West Film Festival will take place from Thursday to next Tuesday (Oct. 24-28) at various venues around Reston, offering patrons a chance to watch the works of upcoming filmmakers on the big screen and contribute to a charitable cause.
The festival will kick off with a “Star Wars Red Carpet” event at Bow Tie Cinemas (11940 Market Street) at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24. Tickets are free and admission is open to the public.
Since this event celebrates Anthony Daniels, attendees are encouraged to dress in costume as C-3PO — the humanoid robot Daniels’ played. There will be a prize for the attendee dressed in the most gold.
The charity festival was founded in 2011 by Brad Russell, according to the festival website. The festival gives all of its profits to charities, which differ from year to year. This year’s charity recipients are not listed on the website yet.
This year’s festival will feature around 30 films, ranging in genre and length. A schedule of showings and tickets can be found online.
Photo via Washington West Film Festival
South Lakes High School Among Best Schools in the State — SLHS was ranked the 39th best high school in Virginia, according to rankings by the U.S. News & World Report. The rankings were released Tuesday and evaluate more than 17,000 schools across the country. [Reston Patch]
Police Investigate Shots Fired in Parking Lot — Last night, officers were on the 1500 block of Cameron Crescent Drive after receiving a report that a man fired shots in a parking lot. No one was hurt and the police department is investigating the incident. [Fairfax County Police Department]
Semi-Annual Book Sale at Reston Regional Library — Reston Friends get first dibs on the book sale today from 5 to 8 p.m. Thousands of books will be available for purchase. [Fairfax County Public Library]
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Approves Budget — The board “gave preliminary approval to the $4.4 billion 2020 fiscal year budget. The proposed budget fully funds the operating budget request from Fairfax County Public Schools and holds the real estate tax rate at its present level.” [Fairfax News]
“Black America Again” and “Letter to the Free” Tonight— Enjoy a free screening at CenterStage at 7:30 p.m. “Black America Again” explores the perseverance of the black community and “Letter to the Free” documents the stories of talented jazz musicians at the Queens Detention Complex. The film is presented with promotional support from the Washington West Film Festival. [Reston Community Center]
Photo by Wade Gilley Sr
The ninth annual Washington West Film Festival kicks off today in Reston and other locations with a movie screening at Bowie Tie Cinemas.
The festival, which showcases new films from around the world and the filmmakers and actors behind them, will begin opening night with a screening of My Indiana Muse, a story about an artist who starts an inspirational project that will take more than a decade to complete. Tickets can be purchased online for $35.
A reception will follow the 7 p.m. screening and light appetizers and drinks will be available. The movie’s director Jennifer Serena and cast members Robert Townshend and Cheryl Berea will take part in a question and answer session following the screening.
The complete schedule of movie screenings and events is available online.
Prior to today’s screening at 4:30 p.m., the Kendra Scott store in Reston Town Center will offer drinks and refreshments.
All net box office proceeds help address issues like hunger, illness and limited organization, according to the festival’s website.
Photo via Washington West Film Festival
The eighth annual Washington West Film Festival returns to Reston and other nearby locations this Thursday through Monday. This year’s theme is “Story Can Change the World.”
The festival showcases new films from around the world and aims to bring filmmakers and actors together for conversation in Reston. All net box office proceeds will go to Kids in the Spotlight and the Robert Duvall Children’s Fund.
Opening night on Thursday kicks off with a 7 p.m. screening of My Indiana Muse, a story about an artist who tackles a project that will take more than a decade to complete. The screening at Bow Tie Cinemas (11940 Market Street) will be followed by a reception with light appetizers and drinks.
The festival was founded in 2011 by Brad Russell, who sought to bring films to the area that focus on creating inspiring stories, not just watching them.
To view the full schedule and to purchase tickets, visit the film festival’s website. Other screenings are planned in Arlington, Sterling and Stone Ridge.
Photo via Washington West Film Festival
Movie lovers can enjoy eight special screenings today in Reston as the Washington West Film Festival continues for the third day this week. The festival, which will end on Saturday, showcases films from around the world.
The festivities will begin with a happy hour at Bow Tie Cinemas (11940 Market St.) at 4:30 p.m. Screenings explore topics from the life of legendary music man Clive Davis to screenings of several short films about powerful women, darkness and light and family-friendly topics. Davis will also participate in a discussion following the screening.
The day will conclude with a pavilion party at Reston Town Center Pavilion (1818 Discovery St.) at 9 p.m. Audiences, filmmakers and special guests will enjoy an evening of music, dancing and food. Guests are encouraged to wear a mask from a favorite movie. The suggested dress is cocktail attire.
The event is presented in partnership with The Harrison, M&S Grill, and Edibles Incredibles Desserts.
The complete schedule of screenings, discussions with filmmakers and other events in the area is online. All net box office proceeds help address issues like hunger, illness and limited organization, according to the festival’s website.
Corridor Four, a documentary that follows the story of a 9/11 first responder, will premiere at Bow Tie Cinemas (11940 Market St.) at 7 p.m. as part of the Washington West Film Festival.
A reception, which will include light appetizers and drinks, will follow the screening. The filmmakers and the subject of the documentary will also participate in a question and answer session.
The festival, which began on Wednesday and runs through Saturday, showcases films from around the world.
The complete schedule of screenings, discussions with filmmakers and other events in the area is online. All net box office proceeds help address issues like hunger, illness and limited organization, according to the festival’s website.
Filmmakers and subject will participate in a Q&A following the Thursday night screening. 7 p.m.
The Washington West Film Festival launches today in Reston with a free screening of Deep — Mare Nostrum at Refraction (11911 Freedom Dr.) at 5 p.m.
The movie follows the story of Sofia, who trains to dive after her twin brother dies in a diving championship. The young diver attempts to avenge her brother’s honor after media reports suggested he died due to his own negligence.
This year’s festival will run through Saturday. The complete schedule of screenings, discussions with filmmakers and other events in the area is online.Â
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.
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.”Â
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.Â
- 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.):Â 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
Another pair of celebrities will be part of the festivities surrounding the Washington West Film Festival this week in Reston.
Esteemed record producer Clive Davis will participate in a question-and-answer session Friday night following a presentation of a documentary film about his life. “Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives” will be screened at 7 p.m. Friday at Bow Tie Cinemas (11940 Market St.).
According to the description of the 123-minute film by director Chris Perkal:
This riveting profile of legendary music man Clive Davis spans a remarkable five-decade career, providing an incredible tour of the most sensational music of the cultural revolution, from the ’60s to the rise of hip-hop. Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, Santana, Aretha Franklin, Barry Manilow, Patti Smith, Alicia Keys and Sean “Puffy” Combs all attest to Davis as, in Aretha’s words, “the greatest record man of all time.”
According to DCist, actor Robert Duvall — who also participated in the festival last year — will introduce the screening. Duvall’s charity, the Robert Duvall Children’s Fund, is a main beneficiary of proceeds from the festival.
According to the film festival’s website, Duvall’s Children’s Fund is …
… committed to providing for the welfare, health, education and relief of children and their families who are poor, distressed, or underprivileged. This is accomplished, in turn, by promoting and supporting activities of charitable organizations that provide medical assistance, promote education, instruction and development, or provide assistance in meeting requirements relating to food, clothing and other basic needs for children and their families around the world. The Robert Duvall Children’s Fund also strives to educate children about the importance of environmental conservation initiatives through partnerships with nonprofit organizations focused in this area.
Tickets to the event are $35, which includes the screening, the Q-and-A session and admission to that evening’s masquerade party in the Reston Town Center pavilion.
The Washington West Film Festival is scheduled for Oct. 25-30 in both Reston and Arlington. For more information about events scheduled as part of the festival, visit its website.
Pictured: Robert Duvall, left, and Clive Davis
Some big names have been added to the list of celebrities who will participate in the Washington West Film Festival next weekend at Reston Town Center.
Rapper, actor and activist Common will headline the festival with an in-depth conversation that will also feature Academy Award-nominated cinematographer Bradford Young. The event will take place at 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, at Bowtie Cinemas (11940 Market St.), featuring showings of Young and Common’s short films “Letter to the Free” and “Black America Again” prior to the discussion.
Common is a two-time Grammy Award-winning performer and won a Golden Globe and Academy Award for his song “Glory” from the film “Selma,” in which he also co-starred and for which Young was cinematographer. In 2011, Common was controversially invited by President Barack Obama to perform at the White House during a poetry event.
Earlier this year, Young became the first African-American cinematographer to be nominated for an Oscar, for his work on the science-fiction film “Arrival.” In addition to that film and “Selma,” Young has also worked on films including “Pariah,” “Mother of George” and “Ain’t Them Bodies Saints.” He also worked on “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” scheduled for release in the spring.
Common and Young aren’t the only big names who have been added to the Washington West Film Festival’s lineup.
At 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, actor Ty Burrell will host a free advanced screening of an upcoming episode of long-running ABC sitcom “Modern Family,” on which he stars as father Phil Dunphy. After the showing, Burrell will participate in a 20-minute question-and-answer period with fans.
Burrell has won multiple Primetime Emmys, Screen Actors Guild Awards and more for his work on the critically acclaimed series. He has also been part of numerous other projects including the films “Black Hawk Down,” “Dawn of the Dead,” “National Treasure: Book of Secrets” and “The Skeleton Twins.”
Burrell is also scheduled to participate in the festival Sunday during the Kids In The Spotlight film program.
The Washington West Film Festival is scheduled for Oct. 25-30 in both Reston and Arlington. For more information about events scheduled as part of the festival, visit its website.
Pictured: Ty Burrell, left, and Common
Our prayers are with @MuhammadBayazid who is in the hospital in Istanbul after being stabbed in what appears to be an assassination attempt. pic.twitter.com/55nXkX7FHc
— SyrianCulturalHouse (@syriaculture) October 10, 2017
A Syrian opposition filmmaker, who resides in Reston, was apparently the target of an assassination attempt Tuesday in Istanbul.
According to the Middle East Eye, Muhammad Bayazid was stabbed in the chest while meeting potential investors for his new film project, which focuses on Syria’s notorious Tadmor prison. The film tells the story of a Syrian-American man unjustly imprisoned and tortured there.
The prison was destroyed by the Islamic State in 2015.
another attack against Syrian opposition figure in Turkey..
Director Mohammad Bayazid was stabbed hours ago in Istanbul, hope he survives— diana moukalled (@dianamoukalled) October 11, 2017
Bayazid’s LinkedIn page shows he lives in Reston and is owner of DC-based LightArt Media Productions.
He and his wife, Samah Safi Bayazid, have a short film scheduled to be shown in Reston later this month as part of the Washington West Film Festival. “Fireplace” will be shown Oct. 27 and 28 at Bowtie Cinemas (11940 Market St.). Bayazid and his wife are advertised to be participating in question-and-answer sessions following the screenings.
According to the description of that film:
Inspired by true events. It is Christmas Eve in Syria. A small kid plays hide and seek with his dad, picking the most unexpected place to hide — the fireplace. As a jet fighter bombards the house, the fireplace stands. But now, the child finds himself trapped and alone.
Bayazid is in intensive care following the attack, the BBC reports.
Celebrate the transformative power of film with the Washington West Film Festival, an annual showcase of the best new films and talented filmmakers from around the globe.
Create your own fest experience — reserve your favorites from over 40 films we’ll be screening in Reston and Arlington from October 25-30, with a limited time offer to RestonNow community a 30% discount off our popular The Fest Experience.
And the best part is you can feel good about Fest-binging. 100% of our net box office proceeds go to our charity partner each year that works to help alleviate childhood hunger, illness and poor education.
Purchase Today’s Deal Now
Discount Code: RESTNowDeal17 has been applied for you
WHEN: October 25-30, 2017
WHERE: Multiple locations in Arlington and Reston
WHAT: Enjoy the best a film festival has to offer. By purchasing this pass, you will have the opportunity to explore the variety of film options and styles showcased at the festival — a documentary film, a narrative film, two shorts programs and the Pavilion party.
Story Can Change The World. Learn more about the Washington West Film Festival
The sixth annual Washington West Film Festival returns to Reston and other area locations today with its message “Story Can Change the World.”
On tap are more than 50 films — long, short, documentaries and more. Special event VIPS include Oscar winner Robert Duvall; journalist Bob Woodward; and actor Ed Asner, a consistent supporter of the festival.
Today’s presentations will take place in Arlington. The Reston schedule begins Thursday with Life Animated, a documentary about Owen Suskind, a young man with autism who was unable to speak as a child until he and his family discovered a unique way to communicate by immersing themselves in the world of classic Disney animated films. The screening is at 7 p.m. at Bow Tie Cinemas at Reston Town Center.
Check the Washington West schedule for Thursday’s other film screenings.
On Friday, there is a family-friendly screening of SNOWTIME!, an animated movie. That event is free and outdoors in the RTC pavilion. Bring chairs or blankets.
You can also catch Almost Sunrise, the epic journey of ex-soldiers, who battle the moral injuries of war, and the temptation to escape through suicide, as they walk across America; and Endless Night starring Juliette Binoche.
Saturday’s highlights include a George Mason University student film showcase; Midsummer in Newtown, a doc about children in Newtown putting on a play in the wake of the Sandy Hook school shootings; and Win From Within, a presentation of three short films, including one about Maryland tennis star Francis Tiafoe, an immigrant from Sierra Leone.
Also Saturday, a 40th anniversary screening of All the Presidents’ Men, the panel discussion with Woodward; and a VIP party in the Pavilion and the In Conversation and red carpet event with Duvall.
There is a full lineup on Sunday, including a Sound of Music special event at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in Vienna, and the headline closing film, Bleed For This, a boxing story from Academy Award-winning Producer Bruce Cohen (Silver Linings Playbook, American Beauty, Milk).
To see the full film festival schedule, see ticket prices and purchase tickets online, visit the Washington West Film Festival online.
Photo: All the Presidents’ Men/Credit: Washington West Film Festival
