James River Film Society

The final program of this year’s James River Film Festival will be the “Richmond Music Video Showcase 2024”
Join us at the Byrd Theater 4/20 at 9:30pm
We will be screening a selection of impressive music videos from Richmond artists from the past decade.

Come celebrate the local scene!

Featuring music videos by .howard .show .is .sessions

SUNDAY, APRIL 14th

12:30 PM @ VMFA
HER TRUTH: 3 SHORT FILMS
Director-writer Yossera Bouchtia’s films navigate and bridge the gap between the
Eastern-Western worlds.
Admission: $8
VMFA members: $5
———————————-
3:00 PM @ VMFA Reynolds Hall
CAST SHADOWS & SBOWE


- LIVE w/ VAMPYR (‘32)
RVA ensemble “Cast Shadows with Sbowe” (Italy) performs their “carney
cabaret” music live to Carl Theodor Dreyer’s VAMPYR
Admission: $8
VMFA members: $5
————————————
8:00 PM @ Studio 23
SILENT MUSIC REVIVAL
Reviving the craft of live music to silent cinema. With an added twist bands have not seen the film before the event, creating a new spontaneous soundtrack.
Film: The Gold Rush (‘25)
W/ live score by: Cassidy Snider & The Wranglers

(donations greatly appreciated)

Silent Music Revival is back!
as part of the 30th annual James River Film Festival

Richmond’s long running silent film series that pairs musicians w/ cinema they’ve never seen before the event

presenting: Chaplin’s 1925 classic “THE GOLD RUSH”

w/ live score by: Cassidy Snider & The Wranglers


SUNDAY, APRIL 14th
(in manchester)
8PM (sharp) - Donation$ Greatly Appre¢iated

Reviving the craft of live music to silent cinema

FRIDAY APRIL 12th
12:30PM @ Richmond public library main branch
STORMY WEATHER (‘43)
dir.: Stone w/ Robinson, Horne, Waller, Calloway
Jackson Ward RVA native Bill Robinson’s life unfolds in this somewhat autobiographical, rousing all African-American cast musical from 20th Century Fox
Admission: FREE
————————
2:30 PM @ Richmond Public Library Main Branch
MOROCCO (‘30)
dir: Von Sternberg w/ Dietrich, Cooper, Menjou
A tale of obsessive love, beautifully rendered on the Paramount lots.
Admission: FREE
—————————
7:30 PM @ Grace St. Theater, VCU
BRUCE CONNER AND A SOUL-STIRRING
WORK IN PROGRESS (2024, 77min)
dir: Sasha Waters.
Documentary by filmmaker Waters was originally filmed by late artist/filmmaker Bruce Conner who shot forty hours of footage on the seminal gospel quartet.
Admission: $8
————————-
9:30PM @ Grace St. Theater, VCU
HALF JAPANESE: THE BAND THAT WOULD BE KING (‘93)
dir.: Jeff Feuerzeig. (The Devil and Daniel Johnston)
Seminal punk band Half Japanese played its own music with unflinching dedication, “upping” the main-stream and resisting labels.
Admission: $8

Want a free t-shirt and festival pass?
Volunteers needed for select events!

Email: [email protected]

(LINK IN BIO)

The 30th annual JAMES RIVER FILM FESTIVAL schedule is LIVE!
Full program and ticket link in our BIO

Stay tuned for daily program posts and see you at the movies

Announcing the 30th Annual James River Film Festival!
APRIL 11-14 & APRIL 20th

more info coming soon

Image by:

Thanks to for the write up on of James River Short Film Showcase!

“Content experimentation is encouraged at the James River Short Film Showcase by the James River Film Society, according to Michael Jones, co-founder and co-director of the society.

The showcase featured various short films utilizing varied cinematic approaches, including digital, stop-motion clay, hybrid animation and live-action films.

The James River Short Film Showcase premiered for its 29th year on Jan. 11 and 12 at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The event, co-sponsored by the Virginia Film Office and the JRFS, featured 10 films under 20 minutes from filmmakers from Virginia, Los Angeles, California and Paris, France, according to the JRFS website.

The short film showcase began in April 1994 by the JRFS. The organization consists of Richmond area university faculty members, media professionals and volunteers dedicated to the art of film, according to the JRFS website. “

Contributing Writer: Kerri Gentius
Photos by: Kyle Duncan .notduncan

CONGRATULATIONS to our Short Film Showcase prize winners!

1st Place $700
Judy’s Garden, Evie Metz, Nick Daly, Richmond, VA

2nd Place $500
Kill Time, Ben Rinehardt, Richmond, VA

3rd Place $300
Adieu Gaston, Victor Guilbauld, Paris, FR

Kathryn Stephens, Virginia Filmmaker Award $250
Telephone Bingo, Nate Henry, Fredericksburg, VA

People’s Choice Award $250
Telephone Bingo, Nate Henry, Fredericksburg, VA

Thanks to everyone who came out to this year’s Showcase!
Your presence and support made it a truly unforgettable experience for all of us. It was terrific to see so many passionate film enthusiasts come together and share their love for cinema.

I hope you enjoyed the screening as much as we did and that it exceeded your expectations. It was an absolute pleasure to have you with us, and we look forward to welcoming you back next year.

The prize winners are listed below:

1st Place $700
Judy’s Garden, Evie Metz, Nick Daly, Richmond, VA

2nd Place $500
Kill Time, Ben Rinehardt, Richmond, VA

3rd Place $300
Adieu Gaston, Victor Guilbauld, Paris, FR

Kathryn Stephens, Virginia Filmmaker Award $250
Telephone Bingo, Nate Henry, Fredericksburg, VA

People’s Choice Award $250
Telephone Bingo, Nate Henry, Fredericksburg, VA

Once again, Thanks to all the filmmakers, Jurors, Judges, the VMFA, and the VFO, not just this year but EVERY year!

The 29th annual James River Short Film Showcase is ONE WEEK AWAY!

Due to a change of venue this year and seating limitations, our program will be held on two nights.

The identical program will be held on both nights with the exception of the prizes.
Prizes will be handed out on the second night by our guest Judge
James Parrish Jr. (co-founder JRFF and “Flicker” curator 1999-2008)

The program this year will be held:

January 11th and 12th, from 6:30-9 PM
AT the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Reynolds Lecture Hall, Richmond, Virginia, USA

Program & Tickets available on our website
(Link in Bio)

We’ve extended our James River Short Film Showcase submission deadline to NOVEMBER 24th!!

Have a film you’d like to show off?
Submit it to this year’s film showcase!
For 29 years we’ve been running our annual film competition, and while formats have changed, the heart of the competition remains unchanged. $2,000 in prizes are up for grabs and a chance to have your film shown on the big screen!
More details can be found on our FilmFreeway page (LINK IN BIO)

Presenting our 29th annual Short Film Showcase (JRSFS)!!

ENTRIES ARE OPEN:
June 19th - November 17th

Have a film you’d like to show off? Submit it to this year’s james river short film showcase!

For 29 years we’ve been running our annual film competition, and while formats have changed, the heart of the competition remains unchanged.

$2,000 in prizes are up for grabs and a chance to have your film shown on the big screen!

LINK IN BIO FOR MORE DETAILS

Some stills from
Sun V Set
Playing to a collection of Maya Deren films
for during the 29th

Thanks to everyone who came out for this years film festival! Next year will be our big 30!¡!

The was stoked to host the
Richmond Music Video SHOWCASE Part 1 w/
& Part 2 - Richmond Music Video Scene ARCHIVES

Hotel X
Playing to a collection of “City Symphonies”
for during the 29th

Thanks to everyone who came out for this years film festival! Next year will be our big 30!¡!

We close out the with
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
VMFA, Leslie Cheek Theater, 3:30 pm, $8
SILENT MUSIC REVIVAL presents
SUN V SET
& the Films of MAYA DEREN

Experience the films of avant-garde filmmaker Maya Deren--Meshes of the Afternoon ('43), At Land ('44), The Very Eye of Night ('58)--with live music by RVA's Sun V Set. Deren was a seminal figure of the American avant-garde through the 1940s-50s, and not only pioneered the experimental "trance" film but with her background in choreography, the dance film as well. Sun V Set's recent single is "LA Electric," and a new EP is forthcoming. Approx. RT 75 min.

is back for the James River Film Festival!

Grace St. Theater,
7:30 pm, $8
SILENT MUSIC REVIVAL presents: HOTEL X plays "CITY SYMPHONIES."

The long-running Richmond ensemble Hotel X celebrates 30 years and performs to a selection of "city symphony" shorts, including Charles Sheeler's/ Paul Strand's Manhatta ('21), Joris Ivens' Rain ('29), and Jean Vigo's Apropos de Nice ('30)--featuring new original compositions by band members Tim Harding, Carter Blough, and Chris Vasi! Plus, a special visit by guitarist/ composer guest Gary Lucas. Approx. RT 75 min.

The 29th James River Film Festival
daily schedule series:
SUNDAY, APRIL 23rd
@
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Leslie Cheek Theater, 1:00 pm, $8
THE BLACK PRESS: SOLDIERS WITHOUT SWORDS ('98)
An illuminating look at the history of the African-American-produced newspaper, which flourished in hundreds of markets nationwide, including Richmond's. More than just a news source, it was part of African-Americans' push for community, racial and social equality. Exhaustively researched and narrated by actor Joe Morton, the film includes rare footage from inside the black newspaper industry. Directed/produced: Stanley Nelson,  RT 86 min.
@
VMFA, Leslie Cheek Theater, 3:30 pm,  $8
SILENT MUSIC REVIVAL presents SUN V SET & the Films of MAYA DEREN
Experience the films of avant-garde filmmaker Maya Deren--Meshes of the Afternoon ('43), At Land ('44), The Very Eye of Night ('58)--with live music by RVA's Sun V Set. Deren was a seminal figure of the American avant-garde through the 1940s-50s, and not only pioneered the experimental "trance" film but with her background in choreography, the dance film as well. Sun V Set's recent single is "LA Electric," and a new EP is forthcoming. Approx. RT 75 min.

The 29th James River Film Festival
daily schedule series:
SATURDAY, APRIL 22nd
@
Byrd Theatre, 11:00 am,  $8
SPOTLIGHT on THE GOOD ROAD w/ co-host Craig Martin
Craig Martin, co-host of the PBS docu-series, THE GOOD ROAD, screens two episodes of regional interest, highlighting the work of the James River Association.             
@
Byrd Theatre, 1:30 pm,  $8
ALLIANCE (2022)  w/ director Susan Donnelly and director of photography Ted Salins
Escaping from a tyrannical Czar in 1882, forty-three Russian Jewish families landed in NJ's pine barrens and sandy soil. There, they exchanged persecution for a new set of skills and a social experiment--forming a cooperative, agricultural-based community--the Alliance Colony.
@
Byrd Theatre,  4 pm,   $8
THE ALBUM (scr/dir: Kevin Hosmann, 2022)
Remember when a record's cover art was a big part of why you bought it? Celebrate National Vinyl Day with a screening of The Album, an independent documenta about the record industry from the POV of dozens of art directors and photographers.
@
Byrd Theatre, 6:00 pm,  $8
Richmond Music Video SHOWCASE PART 1   
SPOTLIGHT on GOOD DAY RVA! w/ producer Chris Damon & crew
Witness the long-awaited return of Good Day RVA as they project a selection of their iconic, city-inspired music videos on the Byrd's big silver screen!
@
Richmond Music Video SHOWCASE PART 2   7:30 pm, 
Richmond Music Scene ARCHIVES
A sampler of Richmond's music scene since the whole MTV thing happened--then & now, celebrating all genres and styles--featuring videos from Poison, GWAR, Plunky & Oneness, Single Bullet Theory, Seymores, and more!
@
Byrd Theatre, 9 pm  $15/ 2 for $25
TOO MUCH JOHNSON w/ guitarist/composer GARY LUCAS
Special guest composer/ guitarist Gary Lucas plays to Orson Welles' lost/ restored cult film oddity, TOO MUCH JOHNSON, starring Joseph Cotten, a Petersburg, VA native. Lucas (Captain Beefheart/ Gods & Monsters) is a five-time guest and part of our extended festival family. Orson Welles (Citizen Kane, Touch of Evil, Lady from Shanghai) had intended to use Too Much Johnson as part of a multi-media theatrical presentation.
@
NY Deli - Rooftop, 10:30 pm $Free
AFTER PARTY

Celluloid Heroes From lost Orson Welles to Richmond music videos, the James River Film Festival celebrates the moving image.

The 29th James River Film Festival
daily schedule series:
FRIDAY, APRIL 21st
@
Richmond Main Public Library, 1:00 pm,  Free
SURREALIST SANDWICH
Two films by Surrealist director Luis Bunuel--Un Chien Andalou/ Andalusian Dog ('29), co-written with Salvador Dali and considered the ultimate Surrealist manifesto, and Simon of the Desert ('65), rarely screened. Approx. RT 80 min.
@
Richmond Main Public Library, 2:30 pm,  Free
WOMEN FILMMAKERS
Early feminism of the silent era-- Alice Guy's Making an American Citizen (1912), on domestic abuse, and Lois Weber's restored Shoes (1916) Approx. RT 90 min.
@
Grace St. Theater,  7:30 pm,  $8
SILENT MUSIC REVIVAL presents: “CITY SYMPHONIES." w/ live soundtrack by HOTEL C
The long-running Richmond ensemble Hotel X celebrates 30 years and performs to a selection of "city symphony" shorts. Approx. RT 75 min.
@
Grace St. Theater,  9 pm,  $8
REWIND & PLAY (dir: Alain Gomis), 2022, France/Germany, 65 mins.
In December 1969 jazz pianist/composer Thelonious Monk ended his European tour with a performance at the Salle Pleyel in Paris. Before the show, he agreed to appear and perform on a French TV station and be interviewed by Henri Renaud. The interview revealed a disconnect--Renaud's approach to Monk and his music subtly revealed the casual racism and exploitation of the music industry at large.

The 29th James River Film Festival daily schedule series:

THURSDAY, April 20
Visual Arts Center, Auditorium, 8 pm, $8
EARTH (SOIL/ZEMLYA)('30, USSR, 70 min.) with the Vulgar Bulgars!

One of the silent cinema's masterpieces, from Ukrainian-born director Alexander Dovzhenko, is a lyrical meditation on family, life, and death as a group of peasants form a "collective" over the objections of the big landowners. The authorities denounced it as "counter-revolutionary" and deleted scenes, but it remains Dovzhenko's loving tribute to his native Ukraine. The Vulgar Bulgars will play "kletzmer" music before the screening at 7:30 pm! Approx. RT 90 min.

Tickets in BIO!

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS! 

The 29th annual James River Film Festival needs your help!
- Check and sell tickets
- Sell T-shirts and collect festival donations- Greet guest and usher folks to seats
- Help clean and organize after events

We can’t do it all without you!
The James River Film Society is truly grateful for all of the volunteers who have helped us over the years. 
TO VOLUNTEER:
1) choose the event you'd like to volunteer (check out the program in our bio)

2) e-mail [email protected]
the event and preferred volunteer position

3) receive confirmation

VOLUNTEERS GET FREE STUFF like: 
- Film Festival Tshirt !
- Free entry to festival events !
- Invite to our Festival Staff cookout ! (Sunday, April  23, 5 pm)

So please, email: [email protected] 
if you'd like to help with this years
James River Film Festival 
Many thanks
- JRFS CREW

This year’s film festival will include the premiere of the first Richmond Music Video Showcase
It will take place at the Byrd Theater 4/22 from 6pm-9pm.
The program celebrates Richmond’s incredible music scene and will be in will be in two parts

Part I (6pm)
Spotlight on Good Day RVA


Part II (7:30pm)
Richmond Music Scene Archives

The local 90’s band The Seymors have reunited and will play in the theater during the intermission.

The posters are printed and going up around town!
The 29th annual James River Film Fest is right around the corner.
APRIL 20-23
FULL SCHEDULE AND FESTIVAL TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE (link in bio)
🎟️ $8 for most features
OR $40 for an ENTIRE Film Fest Pass 🤯

The 29th annual James River Film Festival is coming soon!
APRIL 20-23
Check our website (link in bio)
for ticket links and full schedule coming soon.

Thank you, everyone, for coming out and supporting the filmmakers and the 28th annual James River Short Film Showcase!

We had a fantastic crowd and a wonderful evening. Be sure to come back next year!

A special thank you to our Jurors, Our Guest Judge Kevin McNeer, the VMFA, the VFO, and everyone who helped make this year a success.

The Winners of this year’s prizes are listed below. Filmmakers, we will be in touch!

In Order of Appearance:

Coffee and Yellow Roses - Paul L. Hugins, Arlington, VA - $400

On My Mind - Walker Moore, Richmond, VA 8:58 - $400

5 Stages of Romantic Relationships - Adam Rosenburg, Richmond, VA $400

Rings - Colin Earner, Richmond, VA - $400

The Kathryn Stephens VA Filmmaker Award - $200

Two Lines - Walker Moore, Richmond, VA

People’s Choice Award - $200

On My Mind - Walker Moore, Richmond, VA