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For Educators and Families

In light of the evolving COVID-19 situation, our Education Program in-person events including Young Filmmakers Academy, Family Day, and Sensory-Friendly Screenings will not take place for the 2022 Festival. Below you will find an archive of the Virginia Film Festival Education Program which engages youth in central Virginia to help foster a love of film and filmmaking.

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For Educators

VAFF presents the following programs that Educators can bring to their students.

Young Filmmakers Academy(YFA)
YFA engages elementary and early middle school students in the filmmaking process, as teams of students work together to pitch, write, shoot, and edit their own original short films under a common challenge. Participating schools have the opportunity for Light House Studio Teaching Artists to lead filmmaking workshops in the classroom. Participating students will receive YFA certificates and t-shirts. YFA culminates in a red carpet premiere.

School Screening
Each year, VAFF presents a free screening of a socially relevant film for middle and high school students and their teachers. Experts on film, ethics, and other disciplines speak to the subjects of the film after the screening, providing a fascinating and accessible out of the classroom lesson.

Festival Guest Engagements
VAFF connects youth in schools and afterschool programs to Festival guests and the subjects of their films through classroom visits. Reach out to VAFF Outreach Coordinator Erica Barnes ericabarnes@virginia.edu for more information.

Sensory Friendly Screening with Accessible Theatre Project
The sensory-friendly screening aims to provide a safe, judgement-free, and comfortable theater experience for children with autism or other sensory-related disabilities and their families. Special accommodations are made to account for potential sensory challenges.

If you have any questions about the Virginia Film Festival’s Youth Education Program, please contact VAFF’s Outreach Coordinator, Erica Barnes at ericabarnes@virginia.edu

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For Families

The VA Film Festival is committed to engaging audiences of all ages and offers the following family-friendly programs and screenings.

Family Day
Family Day is a free family-centric celebration of the arts, featuring educational workshops guided by arts professionals; family-friendly screenings; a musical instrument petting zoo in collaboration with the Charlottesville Symphony; and an interactive arts fair for students of all ages. All Family Day events are 100% free, open to the public, and take place at the Betsy and John Casteen Arts Grounds at the University of Virginia.

Sensory Friendly Screening with Accessible Theatre Project
The sensory-friendly screening aims to provide a safe, judgement-free, and comfortable theater experience for children with autism or other sensory-related disabilities and their families. Special accommodations are made to account for potential sensory challenges.