Virginia Film Festival theme to be all ‘Wet’

The 15th annual Virginia Film Festival, slated for Oct. 24-27, will focus on the theme of “Wet,” festival artistic director Richard Herskowitz announced last week. Viewers will be invited to dive into movies featuring images of water, including seas, rivers, rain, swimming pools, showers, beverages and body fluids.

The watery theme also has potential for interesting discussion beyond the cinema, Herskowitz said. “In addition to hosting many guest filmmakers, we will invite speakers from the University community to apply mythological, aesthetic, scientific and religious perspectives on water to movies. The politics of water will also be addressed, since water rights and ecology are increasingly significant topics of public debate.”

The festival is accepting submissions for its Independent Media Showcase, to feature the best new independent works. For information or an entry form, call 982-5279 or see http://www.vafilm.com. The entry deadline is July 1.

The festival program and tickets will be available in September.