Alan Ball Participating in Virginia Film Festival

Alan Ball's work has impacted people in profound ways. The upcoming Virginia Film Festival is celebrating that fact with a screening of American Beauty and a panel discussion for True Blood. Taking place in Charlottesville, VA, the event will offer 80 films over the weekend of November 5-8. Festival Director Jody Kielbasa describes the inspiration for the line-up this year:

"I think it is really important that the people of this community be exposed to new works they may not be able to see anywhere else. That is true of the extraordinary Rodrigo Garcia film Mother and Child, which features a remarkable cast including the incredible three-time Academy Award nominee Annette Bening and the Tony and Emmy Award winning Cherry Jones. At the same time, I always want to choose classic films that still inform us about our own lives and the lives of others around the world."

Attendees will have the opportunity to experience old favorite films like Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and Some Like It Hot, and be introduced to new movies that showcase the talent of local, national, and international filmmakers. In honor of its 10th anniversary, American Beauty will be playing at the Culbreth Theatre on Sunday, November 8, at 12pm. This is the film for which Alan Ball won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. He will be there to present the movie to the audience. It is a testament to the popularity and cultural influence of True Blood that the festival will include a panel with Alan to talk about the show. Movies are obviously the focus of an event like this, but given the opportunity to have Alan there, they are screening an episode of True Blood, followed by a discussion with him. This event is scheduled for Sunday, November 8, at 10:30am in the Culbreth Theatre. Another person from True Blood will have her work presented at the festival, as well. Actress Carrie Preston, who we all know and love as Arlene Fowler, was in a film called That Evening Sun. Based on a short story by William Gay, the movie stars Hal Halbrook as an old Tennessee farmer dealing with loss and disappointment. In addition to Carrie, the supporting cast has Walter Goggins and Ray McKinnon. The screening of That Evening Sun, along with a Q&A with producer Terence Berry, is scheduled for 7pm on Saturday, November 7, at the Regal 3. For more information about scheduling or tickets, visit the Virginia Film Festival website. SOURCES: vafilm.com thateveningsun.com (Photo credit: HBO Inc.)

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