The William & Mary Global Film Festival will showcase a number of globally recognized films at the historic Kimball Theatre for its 12th annual event, Jan. 31 – Feb. 3. Since 2008, the four-day festival has offered the opportunity for the William & Mary and Williamsburg community to screen international, student, and alumni-produced films, plus enjoy live performances, presentations, guest filmmakers and industry experts, and receptions.
This year’s festival will screen films from all around the world – including China, Kenya, Russia and Japan. A South Korean film, “Burning,” stars Steven Yeun from The Walking Dead and earned top reviews at the Cannes Film Festival.
The event is sponsored by the WM Reves Center for International Studies, the City of Williamsburg, the Muscarelle Museum of Art, William & Mary Libraries and others. Canon will also be returning as a sponsor this year where they generously provide state-of-the-art cameras for the Reeder Media Center and the photography curriculum at William & Mary.
2019 Featured Films
THE ISLAND – THURSDAY, JAN 31, 4:00pm, Kimball Theatre
In this 2018 Chinese drama-comedy from writer, director and actor Huang Bo, workers find themselves shipwrecked on a desert island after a meteorite strikes earth. Pre-screening reception for ticket holders, hosted by W&M Confucius Institute, will be held at the Kimball Theatre and feature live performances including music and a martial arts demonstration. Get tickets here
BURNING – THURSDAY, JAN 31, 8:00pm, Kimball Theatre
BURNING is a 2018 South Korean physiological drama directed by Lee Chang-dong and co-staring Steven Yeun from The Walking Dead. It was loosely adapted from a short story, “Barn Burning,” that appeared in The New Yorker in 1992 (Read it here). The film earned a standing ovation at Cannes and has received numerous critics awards. The story centers around a mysterious incident. A reception hosted by the DoG Street Pub will immediately follow the screening of the film. The reception is free to attend, and drinks and food will be available for purchase. Get tickets here
CORE OF THE WORLD – FRIDAY, FEB 1, 11:00am, Kimball Theatre
In this 2018 Russian drama, a hardworking countryman who is terrified of human intimacy but longing to join a pack, hopes to gain the respect of a man and his daughter at any cost necessary. The firm is a follow-up to Natalia Meshchaninova’s 2014’s The Hope Factory. Film critic Victoria Beloplsky will attend as a special guest. Get tickets here
RAFIKI – FRIDAY, FEB 1, 2:30pm, Kimball Theatre
Rafiki follows a forbidden romance between two teenage girls who must contend with their families and conservative society. It was the first movie from Kenya to be selected for screening at the Cannes Film Festival. Get tickets here
CHARM CITY – FRIDAY, FEB 1, 5:00pm, Kimball Theatre
Filmed during three years of unparalleled violence in Baltimore, Charm City delivers a powerfully candid portrait of those on the frontlines. With grit, fury, and compassion, a group of police, citizens, community leaders and government officials grapple with the consequences of violence and try to reclaim their city’s future. Get tickets here
CALL HER GANDA – FRIDAY, FEB 1, 8:00pm, Kimball Theatre
PJ Raval’s human-rights documentary, Call Her Ganda, chronicles the events that occurred after the murder of a Filipina transgender woman by an American serviceman. The award-winning film was premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. Get tickets here
ASSASSINATION NATION – FRIDAY, FEB 1, 10:30pm, Kimball Theatre
According to W Magazine, “Assassination Nation is part dark high school comedy, part home invasion drama, and part revenge fantasy flick.” The story centers around a data hack that exposes secrets in the town of Salem. , Four friends, Lily (Odessa Young), Bex (Hari Nef), Sarah (Suki Waterhouse), and Em (Abra), fight to survive after chaos breaks out. Get tickets here
PADDINGTON 2 – Saturday, FEB 2, 10:00am, Kimball Theatre
A beautifully-done emotional and visual masterpiece – some claim that Paddington 2 was one of the best movies of 2018. In the film, Paddington the bear spots a pop-up book in an antique shop – the perfect present for his beloved aunt’s 100th birthday. When a thief steals the prized book, Paddington embarks on an epic quest to unmask the culprit before Aunt Lucy’s big celebration. This is a FREE, unticketed event!
Workshops and More
This year’s film fest will also offer a variety of workshops including:
The Art of Branding: featuring Chris Smith ‘07 & Robby Willey ‘05 from The Virginia Beer Company, an award-winning Williamsburg, VA brewery founded by William & Mary alums. (Jan. 31, 10am, Reeder Media Center)
Also offered: Motion Graphics Jumpstart Kit, Trial and Tribulations of a Working Cinematographer, Influencer Marketing, Directing Creative, Finding your Core Scenes through Screenwriting, Introduction to Audio Recording, and more.
