This Arts Council-funded grant supports the 2017 Adrenaline Film Project (AFP), a Public Film Exhibition. This project was proposed by Braden Hassett, Business Manager and Outreach Coordinator for the Virginia Film Festival (VFF)

The 2017 Adrenaline Film Projects marks the 14th anniversary of the VFF’s 72-hour filmmaking competition in which 10 to 12 teams of 3-4 filmmakers work closely with established film directors, screenwriters, producers, and actors in a comprehensive crash-course in authentic movie-making. Teams are closely mentored as they pitch, write, cast, shoot, edit, and present their short film to the public at a consistently sold-out screening and celebrate their achievements in a post-screening audience – and mentor –  favorite awards ceremony. 2017 is the first year AFP will move outside of the Festival weekend (November 9– 12, 2017) and be screened at the Paramount Theater. These changes will allow the Festival team to better support AFP operations and its unique filmmaking community, and keep up with ticketing demand by doubling screening venue capacity from 512 to 1,080.The larger venue will also allow the VFF to offer participating team complimentary tickets for their cast and crew.

UVA student teams regularly enter AFP and are provided with a one-of-a-kind opportunity to create films under the guidance of film industry professionals and with the support and resources of the Virginia Film Festival. To encourage participation, the Festival waives entry fees for UVA teams. We estimate that approximately 15 UVA students will be on an AFP team and 25 more will participate in the making of a film (acting, music, crew, etc.). Free student tickets to the Adrenaline Screening are offered through Arts$. We estimate that 120 students will attend the culminating screening.

AFP applications are open to the public. To support budding filmmakers, entry fees are waived for local high school students participating with their film class or Light House Studio cohorts. By hiring a professional casting agency, AFP utilizes local actors, musicians, and crew members to make the films. Due to ticket demand and audience feedback, we are moving the AFP screening to the Paramount Theater on the Downtown Mall to make the screening more accessible to the local community.

Developed by VFF Advisory Board member, Charlottesville native, feature-film writer, director, and producer Jeff Wadlow, AFP has inspired similar programs at other film festivals throughout the United States. The VFF’s AFP has a distinguished list of former guest mentors including Academy Award winners and nominees such as Peter Bogdanovich (The Last Picture Show), Mark Johnson (Rain Man, Breaking Bad), Glenn Williamson (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), and distinguished film critic and historian, Leonard Maltin. AFP is one of the Festival’s most successful programs at bridging the gap between the University, local artistic community, and industry establishment.

The goal of the 2017 AFP is to continue to grow the program and better support the AFP community of filmmakers. The funding will allow us to share AFP with a wider audience while still delivering an engaging and educational experience for participants. To measure success, we will track applicant numbers  and ticket sales to the screening. We will also survey AFP teams about their experience and solicit feedback from audiences attending the screening.

Check back for more information on this Arts Council-funded project’s unfolding timeline.

The Arts Council provides advocacy, advice, and support in the Arts at the University of Virginia. It strives to develop and strengthen the bonds of interest and participation among the Arts Departments, their associated programs,  and their alumni and friends; to advocate on their behalf; to advise and assist with communications; and to help raise funds in support of academic programs, facilities, and special events. Among its multitude of arts advocacy efforts, the Council awards annual Arts Council Grants. These grants have, and continue to play an instrumental role in a number of  residencies, workshops, project and research-based endeavors proposed across Arts Grounds annually. This series of articles will highlight each funded project and serve to inform the UVA community of their unique timelines, progress and outcome reports.