Cord Jefferson’s comedy, “American Fiction,” has won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at the 2023 Middleburg Film Festival. Since winning the same prize at the Toronto International Film Festival, the film has been steadily rising in our combined Best Picture odds, where it’s currently in ninth place as a predicted nominee. Jefferson also received the award for Special Achievement in Filmmaking for his debut feature.
The top documentary prize went to Vanessa Hope‘s “Invisible Nation,” which follows the election and subsequent administration of Taiwan’s first female president, Dr. Tsai Ing-wen. The top award for international filmmaking went to the J.A. Bayona film “Society of the Snow,” about the 29 survivors Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, which crashed in the Andes in 1972, and the extreme measures they had to take to stay alive while they were trapped.
See ‘American Fiction’ trailer: Jeffrey Wright stars in Cord Jefferson’s acclaimed directorial debut [Watch]
The festival,...
The top documentary prize went to Vanessa Hope‘s “Invisible Nation,” which follows the election and subsequent administration of Taiwan’s first female president, Dr. Tsai Ing-wen. The top award for international filmmaking went to the J.A. Bayona film “Society of the Snow,” about the 29 survivors Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, which crashed in the Andes in 1972, and the extreme measures they had to take to stay alive while they were trapped.
See ‘American Fiction’ trailer: Jeffrey Wright stars in Cord Jefferson’s acclaimed directorial debut [Watch]
The festival,...
- 10/23/2023
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
Cord Jefferson’s satirical comedy “American Fiction” has won the Audience Award for narrative film at the Middleburg Film Festival. Proving to be a true crowd-pleaser, it’s the third audience prize for the MGM title on the festival circuit following the Toronto and Mill Valley Film Festivals (at the latter it tied with “Rustin”).
Based on the novel “Erasure” by Percival Everett, the film follows author Thelonious “Monk” Ellison (Jeffrey Wright), a frustrated novelist who is fed up with the establishment profiting from “Black” entertainment that relies on tired and offensive tropes. The film also stars Sterling K. Brown, Erika Alexander, Issa Rae, Tracee Ellis Ross, Leslie Uggams and John Ortiz.
With SAG-AFTRA still on strike, it’s been writer, director and producer Jefferson doing the promotional and festival rounds for the movie, with the Oscar buzz continuing to grow in these early days of the season.
Now in its 11th year,...
Based on the novel “Erasure” by Percival Everett, the film follows author Thelonious “Monk” Ellison (Jeffrey Wright), a frustrated novelist who is fed up with the establishment profiting from “Black” entertainment that relies on tired and offensive tropes. The film also stars Sterling K. Brown, Erika Alexander, Issa Rae, Tracee Ellis Ross, Leslie Uggams and John Ortiz.
With SAG-AFTRA still on strike, it’s been writer, director and producer Jefferson doing the promotional and festival rounds for the movie, with the Oscar buzz continuing to grow in these early days of the season.
Now in its 11th year,...
- 10/23/2023
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
How does one create a film festival during an actors strike? Middleburg Film Festival executive director Susan Koch explains she’s approached programming the Virginia fest in the same manner as she has always done. “We looked for the strongest films and a wide range of films that represent diverse voices and ones we feel will expand our view of the world,” she tells Variety.
Now in its 11th year, the festival continues to be a carefully curated weekend of films and conversations, including many of the year’s buzziest titles. “Rustin,” a Netflix biopic of civil rights activist Bayard Rustin that was directed by George C. Wolfe, will open the four-day fest. Wolfe will receive the festival’s Impact Award for his work in bringing the impactful civil and LGBTQ rights story to the screen. Searchlight’s “Poor Things” and A24’s “Priscilla” are also among films screening from Oct.
Now in its 11th year, the festival continues to be a carefully curated weekend of films and conversations, including many of the year’s buzziest titles. “Rustin,” a Netflix biopic of civil rights activist Bayard Rustin that was directed by George C. Wolfe, will open the four-day fest. Wolfe will receive the festival’s Impact Award for his work in bringing the impactful civil and LGBTQ rights story to the screen. Searchlight’s “Poor Things” and A24’s “Priscilla” are also among films screening from Oct.
- 10/19/2023
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Gearing up for its 11th year, the Middleburg Film Festival, set to run October 19 through 22, has revealed the rest of this years’ honorees exclusively to IndieWire.
For the newly announced Friday Centerpiece film “The Zone of Interest,” lead Christian Friedel, who plays a Nazi officer living right outside Auschwitz, striving to build an idyllic life for his family near the concentration camp, will be in attendance at the festival to receive the Breakthrough Actor Award.
For the Saturday Spotlight film “American Fiction,” the recent TIFF People’s Choice Award starring Jeffrey Wright as a frustrated novelist that gains acclaim from a book intended to satirize the tired and offensive tropes found in Black American fiction, writer-director Cord Jefferson will be in town to receive the Special Achievement in Filmmaking Award.
Finally, Oscar-winning makeup artist Kazu Hiro will be on hand to receive the Distinguished Makeup Designer Award for his work...
For the newly announced Friday Centerpiece film “The Zone of Interest,” lead Christian Friedel, who plays a Nazi officer living right outside Auschwitz, striving to build an idyllic life for his family near the concentration camp, will be in attendance at the festival to receive the Breakthrough Actor Award.
For the Saturday Spotlight film “American Fiction,” the recent TIFF People’s Choice Award starring Jeffrey Wright as a frustrated novelist that gains acclaim from a book intended to satirize the tired and offensive tropes found in Black American fiction, writer-director Cord Jefferson will be in town to receive the Special Achievement in Filmmaking Award.
Finally, Oscar-winning makeup artist Kazu Hiro will be on hand to receive the Distinguished Makeup Designer Award for his work...
- 10/2/2023
- by Marcus Jones
- Indiewire
Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Sofia Coppola and her longtime collaborator and costume designer Stacey Battat will receive the second annual Variety Creative Collaborators award at the Middleburg Film Festival in October.
The award will honor their achievements together on films such as “The Bling Ring,” “The Beguiled,” “On the Rocks” and the upcoming A24 release “Priscilla.”
Middleburg Film Festival executive director Susan Koch said, “We’re delighted that these two immensely talented women — director Sofia Coppola and her longtime costume designer, Stacey Battat — will be receiving Variety’s Creative Collaborators Award and presenting ‘Priscilla’ at this year’s festival. Together, they have crafted an unforgettable on-screen experience.”
The conversation with Coppola and Battat will be held on Oct. 20 and moderated by Variety senior artisans editor Jazz Tangcay. The talk will serve as both a career retrospective highlighting their previous work and a preview of their partnership on “Priscilla.”
“What an honor...
The award will honor their achievements together on films such as “The Bling Ring,” “The Beguiled,” “On the Rocks” and the upcoming A24 release “Priscilla.”
Middleburg Film Festival executive director Susan Koch said, “We’re delighted that these two immensely talented women — director Sofia Coppola and her longtime costume designer, Stacey Battat — will be receiving Variety’s Creative Collaborators Award and presenting ‘Priscilla’ at this year’s festival. Together, they have crafted an unforgettable on-screen experience.”
The conversation with Coppola and Battat will be held on Oct. 20 and moderated by Variety senior artisans editor Jazz Tangcay. The talk will serve as both a career retrospective highlighting their previous work and a preview of their partnership on “Priscilla.”
“What an honor...
- 9/15/2023
- by Jaden Thompson
- Variety Film + TV
With festival season in full swing, the Middleburg Film Festival has just announced its first round of selections for the upcoming 11th edition of the festivities, which runs from October 19-22. Several notable celebrities were also announced as the recipients of special honors being handed out by the festival.
The opening night film will be Netflix’s civil rights biopic, “Rustin,” starring Emmy winner Colman Domingo as the titular organizer of the 1963 March on Washington who faced ostracization due to his sexuality. The Centerpiece film that will screen on Saturday evening is Alexander Payne’s latest, “The Holdovers,” which stars Paul Giamatti as a crabby boarding school teacher who is forced to remain on campus during Christmas break to look after students who have nowhere to go. Also screening this year is the sophomore effort from Emerald Fennell, “Saltburn,” starring Oscar nominee Barry Keoghan as an Oxford student trying to...
The opening night film will be Netflix’s civil rights biopic, “Rustin,” starring Emmy winner Colman Domingo as the titular organizer of the 1963 March on Washington who faced ostracization due to his sexuality. The Centerpiece film that will screen on Saturday evening is Alexander Payne’s latest, “The Holdovers,” which stars Paul Giamatti as a crabby boarding school teacher who is forced to remain on campus during Christmas break to look after students who have nowhere to go. Also screening this year is the sophomore effort from Emerald Fennell, “Saltburn,” starring Oscar nominee Barry Keoghan as an Oxford student trying to...
- 9/6/2023
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
J.D. Dillard’s “Devotion” was announced as the Audience Award winner for best narrative film following the conclusion of the Middleburg Film Festival. The Sony Pictures historical drama, which stars Jonathan Majors and Glen Powell, was a heavy favorite from patrons and could be a quiet dark horse contender in the Oscar race.
Dillard and actor Christina Jackson were both in attendance in Virginia for a post-screening Q&a. Written by Jake Crane and Jonathan Stewart, the film is based on Adam Makos’ novel and tells the inspirational, true story of two elite U.S. Navy fighter pilots who fought in the Korean War in the 1950s.
“We were honored to have these filmmakers join us at the festival to present their exceptional films to our audiences and engage in thoughtful conversations,” said Susan Koch, Mff executive director.
The Audience Award for best documentary went to Lizzie Gottlieb’s “Turn Every...
Dillard and actor Christina Jackson were both in attendance in Virginia for a post-screening Q&a. Written by Jake Crane and Jonathan Stewart, the film is based on Adam Makos’ novel and tells the inspirational, true story of two elite U.S. Navy fighter pilots who fought in the Korean War in the 1950s.
“We were honored to have these filmmakers join us at the festival to present their exceptional films to our audiences and engage in thoughtful conversations,” said Susan Koch, Mff executive director.
The Audience Award for best documentary went to Lizzie Gottlieb’s “Turn Every...
- 10/17/2022
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Celebrating its 10th year as a major east coast destination for cinema lovers, the Middleburg Film Festival, held in scenic Middleburg, Virginia from October 13th to 16th, continues to highlight an outstanding selection of titles while presenting informative special events and forums. “We’re extremely excited because this year is a true milestone, and it’s a chance to celebrate how far we’ve come as a group, and to celebrate all of the filmmakers who have helped to make the festival a success. We cater to true cinephiles, so it’s not unusual for people to see 10 films over the course of the weekend. And because the festival draws a great mix of Washington DC influencers and people in the film industry, there’s lots of tremendous insight being shared before and after screenings,” says Susan Koch, Executive Director.
The festival is a women-founded and largely women-run organization and...
The festival is a women-founded and largely women-run organization and...
- 10/10/2022
- by Nick Clement
- Variety Film + TV
“Glass Onion: A Knives Out Story,” “White Noise” and “The Whale” are among the first films announced for this year’s Middleburg Film Festival in Virginia, celebrating its tenth anniversary.
“Everything Everywhere All at Once” breakout star Stephanie Hsu will be given the Rising Star Award, for her incredible performance in The Daniels’ critically-acclaimed dramedy, which has generated awards buzz. The fest will also hold a special screening of the movie after its huge success, becoming A24’s first film to surpass 100 million.
The entire festival will be held in person with screenings, conversations and events from Oct. 13-16. Opening the fest on Thursday is Netflix’s “White Noise” starring Adam Driver. Writer and director Noah Baumbach will return after bringing “Marriage Story” (2019), to accept the 10th Anniversary Spotlight Filmmaker Award.
Netflix’s “Knives Out” sequel “Glass Onion” from writer, director and producer Rian Johnson will screen as the Friday...
“Everything Everywhere All at Once” breakout star Stephanie Hsu will be given the Rising Star Award, for her incredible performance in The Daniels’ critically-acclaimed dramedy, which has generated awards buzz. The fest will also hold a special screening of the movie after its huge success, becoming A24’s first film to surpass 100 million.
The entire festival will be held in person with screenings, conversations and events from Oct. 13-16. Opening the fest on Thursday is Netflix’s “White Noise” starring Adam Driver. Writer and director Noah Baumbach will return after bringing “Marriage Story” (2019), to accept the 10th Anniversary Spotlight Filmmaker Award.
Netflix’s “Knives Out” sequel “Glass Onion” from writer, director and producer Rian Johnson will screen as the Friday...
- 9/22/2022
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Marking his first leading role in a feature film, Chase Stokes is set to star in Music Got Me Here from multiple-bafta nominated filmmaker Gurinder Chadha who will direct. The feature film, which is based on the remarkable true story of Forrest Allen and Tom Sweitzer, is written by Academy Award-winner Irwin Winkler and by Jose Ruisanchez and is based on the documentary by Susan Koch of the same name.
Winkler, Jon Levin and Alexandra Milchan will produce
The film tells the incredible true story of an eccentric high school music teacher, Tom Sweitzer, in a small Virginia town whose world is upended when a former student Forrest Allen — a wild bright light — is left in a coma following a freak snowboarding accident. Hovering between life and death, this young man’s last hope for recovery, and to wake up and talk and walk again, is a reluctant teacher...
Winkler, Jon Levin and Alexandra Milchan will produce
The film tells the incredible true story of an eccentric high school music teacher, Tom Sweitzer, in a small Virginia town whose world is upended when a former student Forrest Allen — a wild bright light — is left in a coma following a freak snowboarding accident. Hovering between life and death, this young man’s last hope for recovery, and to wake up and talk and walk again, is a reluctant teacher...
- 6/9/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Current best picture frontrunner “Belfast” has scooped the top prize at the Middleburg Film Festival.
Kenneth Branagh’s semi-autobiographical “Belfast,” a black-and-white family drama about the Northern Ireland city in the late ’60s, was awarded best narrative film.
Branagh also appeared at the festival to receive the director spotlight award. The award for best documentary film went to National Geographic’s “The Rescue,” directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin — the Academy Award-winning filmmakers of “Free Solo.”
“Congratulations to our Audience Award winners ‘Belfast’ and ‘The Rescue,'” said Mff Executive Director Susan Koch. “We were so honored to have Kenneth Branagh join us to present ‘Belfast’ with its masterful filmmaking, deeply moving story and stunning performances. ‘The Rescue’ had our audience on the edge of their seats and cheering by the end for a film that showcases the very best of what documentary filmmaking can do.”
Branagh’s movie,...
Kenneth Branagh’s semi-autobiographical “Belfast,” a black-and-white family drama about the Northern Ireland city in the late ’60s, was awarded best narrative film.
Branagh also appeared at the festival to receive the director spotlight award. The award for best documentary film went to National Geographic’s “The Rescue,” directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin — the Academy Award-winning filmmakers of “Free Solo.”
“Congratulations to our Audience Award winners ‘Belfast’ and ‘The Rescue,'” said Mff Executive Director Susan Koch. “We were so honored to have Kenneth Branagh join us to present ‘Belfast’ with its masterful filmmaking, deeply moving story and stunning performances. ‘The Rescue’ had our audience on the edge of their seats and cheering by the end for a film that showcases the very best of what documentary filmmaking can do.”
Branagh’s movie,...
- 10/18/2021
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Virginia’s eighth annual Middleburg Film Festival has announced Chloe Zhao’s “Nomadland” as its opening night film. Lee Isaac Chung’s critically acclaimed family drama “Minari” will be the festival centerpiece film and “Concrete Cowboy” starring Idris Elba will be the Friday Spotlight film, while Regina King’s feature directorial debut, “One Night in Miami” has been selected as the Saturday Spotlight film.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the festival will be a hybrid of in-person and virtual screenings, conversations and events. Variety editors Clayton Davis and Jazz Tangcay will return to host their Coffee and Contenders discussion with The Film Experience’s Nathaniel Rogers.
“In light of these unprecedented times, we are delighted to be able to offer both in-person and virtual screenings – so whether joining us under the stars in Middleburg or watching from home, filmgoers will be able to experience the best in film from around...
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the festival will be a hybrid of in-person and virtual screenings, conversations and events. Variety editors Clayton Davis and Jazz Tangcay will return to host their Coffee and Contenders discussion with The Film Experience’s Nathaniel Rogers.
“In light of these unprecedented times, we are delighted to be able to offer both in-person and virtual screenings – so whether joining us under the stars in Middleburg or watching from home, filmgoers will be able to experience the best in film from around...
- 9/25/2020
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
In today’s film news roundup, MGM buys rights to the rescue movie “Thirteen Lives,” the Greenwich Film Festival has awarded its Virtual Festival Awards and digital series “Quarantine” is raising funds to help actors in need through the SAG-aftra Foundation.
Studio Deal
MGM has bought rights to the Thai cave rescue project “Thirteen Lives,” with Ron Howard attached to direct from a William Nicholson script.
The story centers on the real story of 12 members of a soccer team and their assistant coach, who became trapped 1,000 meters underground by monsoon rains flooding Thailand’s Tham Luang cave and blocking their way out. Efforts to locate the group were hampered by rising water levels and strong currents. More than two weeks passed before all 13 of those trapped were rescued. The 2018 rescue effort involved more than 100 divers, representatives from about 100 government agencies, 900 police officers and 2,000 soldiers.
“This film is case study in...
Studio Deal
MGM has bought rights to the Thai cave rescue project “Thirteen Lives,” with Ron Howard attached to direct from a William Nicholson script.
The story centers on the real story of 12 members of a soccer team and their assistant coach, who became trapped 1,000 meters underground by monsoon rains flooding Thailand’s Tham Luang cave and blocking their way out. Efforts to locate the group were hampered by rising water levels and strong currents. More than two weeks passed before all 13 of those trapped were rescued. The 2018 rescue effort involved more than 100 divers, representatives from about 100 government agencies, 900 police officers and 2,000 soldiers.
“This film is case study in...
- 5/5/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
For the last seven years, audiences have flocked to the Middleburg Film Festival. Running October 17th – 21st, and situated in the wine-country hills of historic Middleburg, Virg., the festival usually highlights some of the year’s buzziest titles, and 2019 is no exception.
“We’re a smaller festival with fewer overall screenings than other events, so we really have to think hard about our selections,” says Mff Executive Director Susan Koch. Mff is also a unique festival in that it’s exclusively run by women. “One of our signature events is our Women in Film luncheon,” she says, “which is a terrific networking event and extremely important as a tool for allowing women to have their voices and opinions heard.”
Programming director Connie White was responsible for whittling down a schedule of 34 films the festival should highlight. Mff’s opening night selection is “Marriage Story,” while the closing night will screen “The Irishman” – both from Netflix,...
“We’re a smaller festival with fewer overall screenings than other events, so we really have to think hard about our selections,” says Mff Executive Director Susan Koch. Mff is also a unique festival in that it’s exclusively run by women. “One of our signature events is our Women in Film luncheon,” she says, “which is a terrific networking event and extremely important as a tool for allowing women to have their voices and opinions heard.”
Programming director Connie White was responsible for whittling down a schedule of 34 films the festival should highlight. Mff’s opening night selection is “Marriage Story,” while the closing night will screen “The Irishman” – both from Netflix,...
- 10/17/2019
- by Nick Clement
- Variety Film + TV
In its seventh year, the four-day Middleburg Film Festival, which takes place in the heart of Virginia’s historic wine and horse country amid gorgeous fall foliage, is bigger than ever as it unspools a record 34 films this year. Running from October 17 to 20, the impeccably curated lineup, overseen by founder Sheila Johnson and executive director Susan Koch, continues to feature some of the year’s Oscar-buzziest films as well as welcome discoveries to be found among the documentaries and foreign films.
The opening-night event will be “Marriage Story,” starring Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson as a showbiz couple engaged in a contentious divorce. Its director, Noah Baumbach, will be honored with the festival’s Spotlight Director Award and will participate in a Q&a session afterward. The closer will be Martin Scorsese‘s “The Irishman,” which just wowed attendees after its premiere at the New York Film Festival.
See‘The...
The opening-night event will be “Marriage Story,” starring Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson as a showbiz couple engaged in a contentious divorce. Its director, Noah Baumbach, will be honored with the festival’s Spotlight Director Award and will participate in a Q&a session afterward. The closer will be Martin Scorsese‘s “The Irishman,” which just wowed attendees after its premiere at the New York Film Festival.
See‘The...
- 10/2/2019
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
Susan Koch, Executive Director of the Middleburg Film Festival announced that Oscar-nominated actress Emma Stone and Oscar nominated Director Damien Chazelle will be attending the Centerpiece screening of La La Land...
- 10/11/2016
- by Jazz Tangcay
- AwardsDaily.com
Keep up with the always-hopping film festival world with our weekly Film Festival Roundup column. Check out last week’s Roundup right here.
Full Lineup Announcements
– The sixth annual Napa Valley Film Festival (Nvff) has announced its complete line-up, Opening Night and Red Carpet screenings, special events and additional honorees for its Celebrity Tributes. Nvff returns in full force with a five-day festival showcasing the year’s best new independent films in 13 unique screening venues in the Wine Country towns of Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga, running November 9 – 13.
The Festival will play host to a strong selection of films, including many of this year’s award contenders, like The Weinstein Company’s “Lion,” which will be this year’s Opening Night film, and Open Road Films’ “Bleed for This.” As the perfect bookend to the festival, the independent documentary “Pisco Punch: A Cocktail Comeback Story” will serve as the Closing Night film.
Full Lineup Announcements
– The sixth annual Napa Valley Film Festival (Nvff) has announced its complete line-up, Opening Night and Red Carpet screenings, special events and additional honorees for its Celebrity Tributes. Nvff returns in full force with a five-day festival showcasing the year’s best new independent films in 13 unique screening venues in the Wine Country towns of Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga, running November 9 – 13.
The Festival will play host to a strong selection of films, including many of this year’s award contenders, like The Weinstein Company’s “Lion,” which will be this year’s Opening Night film, and Open Road Films’ “Bleed for This.” As the perfect bookend to the festival, the independent documentary “Pisco Punch: A Cocktail Comeback Story” will serve as the Closing Night film.
- 9/29/2016
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
The historic wine country of Virginia is set to get a strong taste of cinema as the Middleburg Film Festival begins later this month with a slew of prestigious films. Opening the inaugural edition of the festival is Alexander Payne's midwest family drama "Nebraska." Serving as the centerpiece for the four-day event will be Justin Chadwick's Mandela biopic "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom." The festival will also feature a sidebar program commemorating "The Year of Italian Culture," showcasing contemporary Italian films as well as a restoration of Roberto Rosselini's 1954 masterpiece "Journey to Italy." “We are thrilled to present our line up for the first Middleburg Film Festival,” said Executive Director Susan Koch. “Our goal was to curate an engaging slate of films, drawing from the U.S. and abroad and across all genres, that will satisfy casual movie goers and avid film lovers alike. We are grateful for...
- 10/11/2013
- by Clint Holloway
- Indiewire
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