Varied cinematic approaches, experimentation seen at long standing film showcase
A frame from the 2nd placed film ‘Kill Time,’ created by Ben Rinehardt. Photo by Kyle Duncan.
Kerri Gentius, Contributing Writer
Content experimentation is encouraged at the James River Short Film Showcase by the James River Film Society, according to Michael Jones, co-founder and co-director of the society.
The showcase featured various short films utilizing varied cinematic approaches, including digital, stop-motion clay, hybrid animation and live-action films.
The James River Short Film Showcase premiered for its 29th year on Jan. 11 and 12 at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The event, co-sponsored by the Virginia Film Office and the JRFS, featured 10 films under 20 minutes from filmmakers from Virginia, Los Angeles, California and Paris, France, according to the JRFS website.
The short film showcase began in April 1994 by the JRFS. The organization consists of Richmond area university faculty members, media professionals and volunteers dedicated to the art of film, according to the JRFS website.
The JRFS drew their inspiration for the showcase from Stan Brakhage’s short film “Mothlight,” according to Jones.
“Stan Brakhage made a film without even using a camera,” Jones said. “It’s called ‘Mothlight.’ You watch that film for three minutes, and it’s like watching a moving abstract painting, and I think if anything is a real inspiration for us as far as the founding of the festival — it’s films like that.”
The annual event is the oldest juried competition in Virginia with many jurors sitting on the board for the last 25 years, Jones said.
Judging is subjective, but each entry receives at least two jury votes to advance to the next round, Jones said.
Winners of the showcase split a prize of $2000 as well as the chance to have their film showcased on the big screen, according to the JRFS website. The 1st place winner was “Judy’s Garden,” 2nd place was “Kill Time,” 3rd place was “Adieu Gaston” and 4th place was “Telephone Bingo.”
“It’s a very special tradition in this city that there’s a shorts program like this,” said Nick Daley, local film enthusiast turned filmmaker who submitted the short film “Judy’s Garden” to the competition. “I was aware of it before I submitted. I always thought it was high-quality stuff, and the chance to screen at the museum is great.”
Showcasegoers had the chance to vote for the showcase’s People’s Choice Award, and the results are currently announced on the JRFS website.
The showcase gave actors their first chance to be on the big screen, said Jerazya Griffin, a showcase attendee.
“I really think the arts are important to the community and especially Richmond,” said showcase attendee Shawntell Griffin.“When you walk into Richmond — it just feels eclectic — it feels like artists shaped this space, so I think it is important to continue to support new aspiring artists and just continue to have arts as part of the community.”
