Virginia Film Festival

As the year 2000 neared, widespread fear arose worldwide over the looming transition into a new millennium. One of the largest sources of panic stemmed from a supposed code glitch that would revert all computers to 1900, potentially triggering a catastrophic global technological collapse. Everyone seemed to play a role in anticipation of the new year, with computer programmers frantically searching for a solution to the possible devastation, doomsday preppers turning to mass panic buying, and politicians and newscasters anxiously broadcasting to quell the unrest.

Exclusively employing archival footage, such as newsreels and home videos, directors Bryan Becker and Marley McDonald document the distinct fashion, culture, and lifestyle of the late 90s in the lead-up to Y2k. Time Bomb Y2K is an exhilarating retrospective and documentary time capsule, which tracks the emergence of the digital revolution while examining society’s ever-evolving relationship with technology and one another.

Introduction by Kevin Driscoll (UVA).

Discussion with director Marley McDonald. Moderated by Ted Johnson (Deadline).

Closed Captions are available for this screening and assistive devices are available upon request with advance notice. Visit VAFF Accessibility for more information.