2008 ONFilm Festival: Reel Politics

The 2008 Old Dominion University—City of Norfolk ONFilm Festival will continue the fine tradition of film screenings, symposia, lectures, discussions and social events inaugurated almost a decade ago. Our theme for the March 29—April 5, 2008 event is "Reel Politics," designed to attract the interest and contributions of diverse constituencies and faculty members within the College of Arts & Letters, and to coincide with the upcoming elections in America. For more information check this website for continuing updates about what is sure to be the most stimulating and entertaining ONFilm event yet.

Lifetime Achievement Award Will Go to Actor Danny Glover

Danny Glover [BIO]

"Reel Politics" is the theme of the second annual Old Dominion University / City of Norfolk (ONFilm) Festival, coming to the ODU campus and city venues March 29 through April 5.

The festival offers a full week of free daily screenings and social events, along with panels, lectures and discussion with directors, actors and Virginia political leaders. It will conclude with the presentation of the ONFilm Festival Lifetime Achievement Award to actor, director, producer and U.N. Goodwill Ambassador Danny Glover.

Each day of the festival will feature the screening of films that fall into a particular category, from Cold War politics to the politics of gender, with nationally recognized actors, directors, producers and scholars engaging in discussion with audience members.

Festival Highlights

State Sen. John Miller will join panelists Bert Schmidt of WHRO, Tom Robotham of Port Folio Weekly and Fred Schecker of Hampton Roads.com to kick things off Tuesday, March 25, with a pre-festival discussion of "Film/Media, Power and Change: Film and Video's Role in Enabling an Engaged Citizenry." ODU's Jeff Jones will serve as moderator.

Acclaimed actress and youth advocate Mia Farrow, who will be on campus Thursday evening, March 27, to give a President's Lecture Series address on Darfur, is scheduled to take part in a pre-festival event for donors and sponsors.

Honoring Mayor Fraim, Mr. Randy Wright and all members of the Norfolk City Council, Saturday, March 29, the 2008 ONFilmFest opens with a screening of "All the President's Men." Actor Robert Walden, who played Donald Segretti, will be on hand to discuss the film with audience members.

Former congressman G. William Whitehurst, ODU's Kaufman Lecturer in Public Affairs, will host a screening of the Jimmy Stewart film "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" on Monday, March 31, at the first ONFilm Classics Night.

ODU students will have an opportunity to speak their political peace and register to vote at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, as part of the first "Open Mic Patriot's Protest." Paul Shugrue, the host of "Out of the Box" on WHRV-FM, will provide music for the event, which will take place on the steps of Webb Center.

The three winning films of the second annual Stephen E. Konikoff Student Filmmakers Award contest will be screened following award presentations on Friday, April 4.

LUNAFEST, a national traveling festival featuring short films for, by and about women that raises money for the Breast Cancer Fund and local nonprofit organizations, will present films on Friday evening, April 4.

In cooperation with the Hampton Roads Film Office and the Virginia Production Alliance, Hampton Roads chapter, the ONFilm Festival will stage its second annual Career Day Expo on Saturday, April 5. Among the day's events will be a panel discussion on "Film Making in Hampton Roads" that includes W. Jeffery Frizzell, commissioner, Hampton Roads Film Office, and producer/executive producer, 1944 Films; actor Keith Flippen, Virginia Production Alliance Hampton Roads chair and Virginia Actors Forum Hampton Roads chair; Mike Sinclair, president, producer and executive producer, M-2 Pictures; Scott Hansen, president/producer, Scott Hansen Productions; screenwriter/producer David O'Donnell, director of development for New Dominion Pictures; Rob Stephens, president/producer, Legacy Productions, and screenwriter/director, Eleven 22 Productions; and actress Felicia Dames, producer, Dames Media Group.

Danny Glover will accept the festival's Lifetime Achievement Award from WTKR's Barbara Ciara during the closing gala at the Granby Theater on Saturday, April 5. Dance at the ONFILM GALA to music of the Rhythm Kings; celebrate the ONFILMFEST with the actors, directors and Film Fest cast! Hors d'ouvres and cash bar. Private Sponsor/Donor reception from 7-8pm.

2008 ONFilm Festival to look at "Reel Politics"

"Reel Politics" is the title of the second annual ONFilm Festival, coming to the Old Dominion University campus March 31 through April 5. Co-sponsored by ODU and the City of Norfolk, the theme is a timely one as the spotlight continues to shine on American politics in this presidential election year. The festival promises a full week of free screenings, symposia, lectures, discussions and social events, concluding with the presentation of the ONFilm Festival Lifetime Achievement Award. Last year, the honor went to actress Ellen Burstyn. This year’s recipient has not yet been announced.

Each day of the festival will feature the screening of films that fall into a particular category:

• March 31 – "Cold War Politics and Culture"
• April 1 – "The Middle East and America in the Wake of 9/11"
• April 2 – "Civil Rights in the Americas"
• April 3 – "Asian Diasporas"
• April 4 – "The Politics of Gender"
• April 5 – "Filmmaking in Hampton Roads."

As part of the festival promotion, local and state elected officials have been invited to list their favorite politically themed movie. Their "picks" can be found on the Power Picks page.

Actress Mia Farrow, who will be on campus March 27 to give a President’s Lecture Series address about Darfur, will take part in a pre-festival event with major donors and sponsors.

All of the daytime screenings will take place at the University Theatre (located inside the College of Health Sciences Building). Parking is available nearby in the University Village north parking garage.

Artistic and critical success, as well as money and fame, came to Mia Farrow at an early age. Following her young life in 1940's Hollywood as the daughter of Hollywood royalty, she gained national attention through her role in the television classic "Peyton Place." Farrow went on to star in over forty movies, including such classics as "Rosemary's Baby," "The Great Gatsby," and "Hannah and Her Sisters." As successful as her professional life was, her personal life was marked with many struggles, leading her to begin a journey toward a significant life.

As the mother of fourteen children, ten of whom are adopted, Mia Farrow has now devoted her life to humanitarian efforts and the care of a truly remarkable family. Farrow has been a high profile advocate for children's rights, working to raise funds and awareness for children in conflict affected regions, predominantly Africa. She is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and has worked extensively to draw attention to the fight to eradicate polio, which she survived as a child.

Her latest humanitarian effort raises awareness of the genocide occurring in Darfur, Chad and Central African Republic. At the podium, Farrow shares photographs from her trips to Darfur in 2004, 2006 and 2007, bearing witness to the desperation of the people of the region. Connecting to the humanity in all us, she reminds us of our moral responsibility to assure that "never again" are not just words. In an absolutely unforgettable and challenging program, Farrow addresses what compels her to continue this work despite grave personal risk and shares how every individual can help.

Farrow reflected on her ever-evolving life journey in her sincere and candid bestseller, What Falls Away. In what Newsweek calls "a simply elegant memoir," she presents a revealing and candid account of her personal struggles, her numerous professional successes, and her passionate and sincere commitment to the children of the world. Expanding on this memoir, Farrow graces the lecture stage with her eloquence and honesty in a unique presentation that is sure to inspire any audience.

At A Glance: Farrow's earliest memories come from the walled gardens and rocky shores of western Ireland, a time and place where she experienced multiple hardships as a young girl. The onset of polio at age nine and the deaths of two family members several years later profoundly affected her as a child and shattered any sense of family security. Making steps to put these misfortunes behind her, Farrow began her journey to the heights of Hollywood.

Farrow has completed work on several films slated for release in 2007, including the romantic comedy "Fast Track," the first part of director Luc Besson's planned trilogy of fantasy films, "Arthur and the Invisibles." In September 2006, she began shooting director Michel Gondry's "Be Kind Rewind," opposite Jack Black and Danny Glover.