W&M Global Film Festival returns this week
Binge-worthy movies, a pop-up drive-in and Oscar nominees galore
This week, movie-lovers can go behind-the-scenes of the business and see recently announced Oscar contenders from the comfort of their homes — and cars.
The 14th annual William & Mary Global Film Festival runs Thursday through Sunday with more than 30 films available online and at a pop-up drive-in at Colonial Williamsburg. In addition, a series of free workshops begins today and continues through Saturday for those who want to learn the ins and outs of the world of cinema.
The discussions, which range from “How to Banish Your Self Doubt to Hell and Finally Do the Damn Thing” to “How to Do Stunts,” are hosted on Zoom by William & Mary alumni.
The speakers include Chitra Sampath, whose writing and directing credits include the Apple TV series “Truth Be
Told” and Emmy-winning writer-producer Sara Schaefer who co-hosted MTV’s late-night show “Nikki & Sara Live.” Registration is required.
The “Palace Farms Drive-in” will be a 40-by-16-foot screen set up across the street from the Colonial Williamsburg Regional Visitor Center, 101 Visitor Center Drive. Tickets must be pre-purchased online and are $25 per car. The gates open at 7:15 p.m; the movies start at 8. No cars will be allowed after the films begin. Guests will tune their car radios to catch the audio.
Thursday: “Quo Vadis, Aida,” which has been nominated for Best International Feature Friday: “Minari,” six nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor
Saturday: “Another Round,” two nominations, including Best International Feature
Sunday: “News of the World,” four nominations, will include an introduction from Best Production Design nominee David Crank, a 1982 William & Mary graduate.
Even though it is an outdoor event, festival organizers have put COVID-19 restrictions in place. No food or drink will be sold, and guests must stay inside their vehicles unless going to the portable toilets on the premises. When they do, people are expected to be masked and to socially distance. No oversized vehicles, such as buses or RVs, and no open-topped vehicles, such as convertibles or Jeeps, are allowed.
For those who want to stay home, a virtual festival pass is $35 and includes a catalog of highly acclaimed international films such as the “Dear Comrades!” and “Night of the Kings” and films that recently debuted at the Sundance Film Festival. The virtual marathon will include several films by alumni and conversations with several, including Emmy-winning writer Cord Jefferson and talent agent Phil Sun, both of whom graduated in 2004. Jefferson, who is known for his work in “Watchmen,” “The Good Place,” and “Master of None,” will discuss “Diverse Voices in Hollywood” with Sun at 6:45 p.m. Thursday.
An additional slate of films will be available at the Martha Wren Briggs Amphitheatre on the W&M campus, but they are only available for current W&M students, staff, faculty and administrators. These free screenings include student short films and the Oscar-nominated “Promising Young Woman.”
Tickets are on sale now.
For more information visit wmglobalfilmfestival.com.