Weekend: 10th Annual Alexandria Film Festival

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- For 10 years, the Alexandria Film Festival has showcased some of the best documentaries, shorts and feature films from the D.C.-metro area, nationally and around the world. This year, from Nov. 10 to 13, the festival returns to the City with more than 40 films, free screenings, discussions, special events, live musical performances and the Alexandria premiere of season two of the PBS series "Mercy Street." Films will be screened at AMC Hoffman Center 22, Market Square and Beatley Central Library. Special events to celebrate independent film will take place throughout Alexandria.

Founded in 2007, the Alexandria Film Festival promotes independent film as a vital part of the diverse and dynamic art scene in Alexandria, organizers said in a news release announcing the festival. The four-day event kicks off Thursday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. on Market Square in historic Old Town Alexandria with a free screening of the documentary, "Nighthawks on the Blue Highway," profiling the blues band, The Nighthawks, who got their start in the Washington, D.C. area and the challenges and triumphs of four decades in the music industry. The event will feature a live musical performance by the band following the screening.

The festival will continue with a wide variety of fictional narrative and documentary films. Though the stories and topics are diverse, a few themes have emerged from this year's film selections. Documentaries focused on the importance of farming, food, and health are featured in this year’s “Foodie Showcase.” Unique stories about athletes are featured in the “Sports Showcase.”

Perhaps fittingly, as the festival kicks off just after Halloween, several of the films delve into the supernatural, featuring ghosts, unexplained phenomena and a new documentary that revisits the story of Travis Walton’s alleged UFO abduction, and how the film "Fire in the Sky" impacted his life and those around him ("Travis: The True Story of Travis Walton"). Music is another reoccurring theme. Following the opening night screening of "Nighthawks on the Blue Highway," the festival weekend features a "West Side Story" remake ("West Side Swordy") featuring the music of Deadmau5, and a documentary that unites cultures and celebrates the joy of international folk dancing ("Life of Folk Dancing").

Highlights

• Free kick-off event: A free screening of the film "Nighthawks on the Blue Highway" about popular local blues band, The Nighthawks, and their four-decade career. A concert by The Nighthawks will follow the screening. Nov. 10, 7 p.m., Alexandria Market Square, in front of City Hall.
• Free Friday Screenings: Nov. 11, 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Beatley Central Library
• Meet the Filmmakers Happy Hour: A networking event for filmmakers, All Fest Pass holders, sponsors, press, and VIPs. Nov. 11, 5 p.m.-7 p.m., Hilton Alexandria
• Foodie Showcase: Films that celebrate food, farming, and health. Nov. 12, 11 a.m-1 p.m., AMC Hoffman Center 22
• Local Showcase: Nov. 12, 11 a.m.–1 p.m., AMC Hoffman Center 22
• Sports Showcase: Nov. 12, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., AMC Hoffman Center 22
• Late Night Showcases: Nov. 12, 9 p.m.+, AMC Hoffman Center 22
• Private Closing Reception: An event for filmmakers, VIPs, press and All Fest Pass holders to enjoy light food and drinks, an awards ceremony and the Alexandria premiere screening of PBS’ "Mercy Street," Season 2, in conjunction with Virginia Film Commission, Visit Alexandria and WETA. A Q&A will follow the screening with executive producer Lisa Wolfinger and Alexandria Black History Museum Director Audrey Davis, official historical advisor to Mercy Street. Nov. 13, 6 p.m.-9:30 p.m., AMC Hoffman Center 22

Tickets

• Nov. 10-13 – Visit website (http://alexfilmfest.com/) for full schedule.
• All-Fest Pass $50
• Individual tickets for showcase $12 in advance, $15 at door
• All Fest Passes available here. Individual showcase tickets to be added soon.

PHOTO: Promotional photo from Alexandria Film Festival