Middleburg Film Festival 2024 Lineup to Include ‘Blitz,’ ‘Emilia Perez,’ ‘Conclave’

As an ardent cinema enthusiast, I am absolutely thrilled by the lineup of the Virginia’s Middleburg Film Festival this year! The diverse range of films and honorees promises an unparalleled cinematic journey, one that will undoubtedly leave me in awe.

This October, I’m eagerly anticipating the opening of the 12th annual Middleburg Film Festival, which Virginia is hosting. The event kicks off with the screening of “Blitz,” an Apple Original film featuring the talented Saoirse Ronan. Notably, esteemed director Steve McQueen will receive the festival’s Visionary Director award this year.

During World War II, the film “Blitz” narrates the tale of George, a 9-year-old boy, who is sent away by his mother Rita to safety in the English countryside. Despite his stubbornness and determination to reunite with Rita and his grandfather Gerald in East London, George embarks on an exciting journey. However, this adventure leads him into danger, causing distress for Rita as she frantically searches for her lost son.

Jacques Audiard’s film “Emilia Perez” is set to be the Friday Highlight of the festival. In this Spanish-language production, Karla Sofía Gascón portrays a formidable drug lord who embarks on a journey of self-discovery as a woman. The film received one of Cannes’ longest standing ovations and subsequently won both the Jury Prize and the Best Actress award for its exceptional ensemble cast, which includes Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, and Adriana Paz. Following its premiere at Cannes, Netflix acquired the rights to distribute the movie in the U.S. and U.K. Zoe Saldaña will be honored with the Festival’s Spotlight Actress Award for her captivating portrayal of Rita.

Edward Berger’s film “Conclave” has been scheduled for the Saturday night main event screening by Focus Features. The movie delves into the process of selecting a new Pope following the sudden demise of a beloved Pontiff, with Ralph Fiennes portraying Cardinal Lawrence tasked with overseeing the clandestine proceedings. As he delves deeper, Lawrence discovers a web of hidden secrets left behind by the deceased Pope, secrets that could potentially rock the very core of the Church. The impressive cast includes Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Lucian Msamati, and Isabella Rossellini. Notably, Rossellini will be at the festival to receive the Agnès Varda Trailblazing Film Artist award alongside Berger.

I have the privilege of participating in an upcoming co-presentation, titled “Blitz.” This event is significant as it brings together the British Embassy, with the esteemed British Ambassador to the United States, Karen Pierce, who will be gracing us with her presence. She’ll be receiving the festival’s inaugural Film Diplomacy award, a recognition of her unwavering dedication to the film industry and its unique ability to broaden our perspectives globally and stimulate the creative economy.

At the Middleburg Film Festival, a group of prominent Kenyan and Nigerian filmmakers will be welcomed as part of a collaboration with the U.S. Department of State’s flagship film diplomacy program, the American Film Showcase. Kunle Afolayan (Nigeria), Bolanle Austen Peters (Nigeria), Kenneth Ambani (Kenya) and Philip Karanja (Kenya) will showcase excerpts of their films and take part in a discussion centered on reaching international audiences and the significant impact of film within the broader creative sector. This program is run by the USC School of Cinematic Arts, which oversees the State Department’s American Film Showcase.

Individual tickets go on sale in early October when the schedule and full slate are announced.

2024-09-19 22:19

Middleburg Film Festival 2024 Lineup to Include ‘Blitz,’ ‘Emilia Perez,’ ‘Conclave’

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