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The 19th annual Alexandria Film Festival will present 62 selections in November, expanding its footprint with a new venue and an unusually strong showing from local and regional filmmakers.
Screenings begin Nov. 2 and resume Nov. 7-9 at four locations: Virginia Tech Alexandria at Potomac Yard, the Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum, Patagonia Old Town and Charles E. Beatley Library.
Virginia Tech Alexandria joins the festival lineup for the first time this year. Executive Director Patti North said its modern building, ample parking and additional screening space allowed organizers to schedule more films than in previous years.
More than half of this year’s screenings feature work by local or regional filmmakers. At least 49 filmmakers plan to attend, and numerous screenings will be followed by audience Q&A sessions.
Among the locally connected productions is “Upstream: Downriver, Uniting for Water Justice,” a documentary examining polluted water in communities across the country and efforts to address it. The film is by Maggie Burnette Stogner, executive director of the Center for Environmental Filmmaking at American University.
The program spans fantasy, comedy, social justice and everyday drama. Selections include “Coexistence My Ass,” described by North as both humorous and profound, and “Comparsa,” about sexual abuse survivors who use art to fight back.
International stories also appear throughout the schedule. “Chickpea Zoom” follows people in Ukraine working together to move animals from a zoo to safety. North said the film combines pathos with a powerful display of humanity.
Angela Bourassa’s fantasy film “Turn Me On” imagines a future utopian community whose residents take a pill that frees them from emotional complications. When someone misses a dose and begins experiencing unfamiliar feelings, the change places that person in unexpected danger. North compared its atmosphere to elements of “Body Snatchers” and “The Handmaid’s Tale,” while noting its many twists.
North said the festival welcomes filmmakers with widely varying perspectives. While some selections are expected to draw broad audiences, organizers also make room for less commercial films they believe deserve to be shown.
She also pointed to technology’s role in making filmmaking more accessible. Once dependent on costly studios, equipment and specialized technical resources, the medium is now available to children who can create videos with phones or computers by age 8 or 10.
Running times vary considerably. “Right Hand Man” lasts three minutes, while “Bats in the Belfry” runs 12 minutes. At the other end of the schedule, “Checkpoint Zoo” is 103 minutes and “Kemba” runs 118 minutes.
Film summaries, screening times, locations and ticket sales are available through the festival’s online playbill.