In the fall of 2020, as our lease was ending at our apartment in Alexandria, Virginia, my wife Victoria suggested we look for a new home fifty miles south in the Colonial town of Fredericksburg, founded in 1728.  The pandemic had made us both remote workers for our D.C.-area jobs, and with the need to commute into the city entirely undermined by COVID, it was time to relocate.

Sitting astride the Rappahannock River, Fredericksburg was named in honor of Frederick Louis, Prince of Wales and eldest son of King George II.  One generation later, Frederick’s own son, George III, would lose Virginia and the rest of the American colonies to homegrown rebellion.  In the next century, Fredericksburg would see terrible violence in the American Civil War, enduring a siege by Union forces led by Ambrose Burnside—hopeful of a quick victory there and then a brisk march onto the Confederate capital at Richmond.  Confederate sharpshooters picked off Union bridge-builders setting up pontoon crossings on the Rappahannock, forcing the Federals to retreat.  They would return in May 1863, this time victorious, ransacking the town and taking what they pleased.  Many enslaved African Americans seized the chance to cross the river to freedom.

Today, Fredericksburg (colloquially known as “FXBG”), with a population of 29,000, is a happening, cosmopolitan town.  On Caroline Street, cafes and a thriving restaurant scene are joined by art galleries and trendy bars.  First Fridays see the community—many of whom work for the government, are current or retired military, and rather ethnically diverse—turn out to walk Caroline Street.  Many still take the train up to D.C. every day.  The people here are kind almost to a fault, even to those of us with discernible Yankee accents.

It is also home to the Fredericksburg Film Festival, which kicks off this week for its second iteration.  The founders and programmers were kind enough to share their thoughts on why Fredericksburg is an ideal location for a film festival—and the value of displaying works by homegrown talent.  Our conversation, which is edited for flow and clarity, can be found below.

I’ll be leading several panels, interviewing filmmakers and attending screenings this week, with more reports to come.  For the full schedule, visit https://fxbgfilmfestival.com/.

What is it about Fredericksburg that makes it such an ideal location for a film festival? And what makes it “different” from all the other film festivals out there?
When people think of film festivals, big cities often come to mind—but Fredericksburg shows that a smaller city can be just as dynamic and culturally rich. With its vibrant arts scene, diverse community, and deep historical roots, Fredericksburg offers a unique setting for creative events. In addition, Fredericksburg is conveniently located between Washington, D.C., and Richmond, making it easy to reach while still maintaining its small-town charm.
FFF stands out from other festivals because it puts the local community at its core. We’re committed to bringing the best films to our audiences while also shining a spotlight on Virginia filmmakers—especially those from Fredericksburg.  We’re also partnering with local businesses to showcase the very best of Fredericksburg’s food, activities, and shopping.

What lessons from the first year in 2024 are you taking into 2025 and beyond?
There’s really no such thing as being over-prepared. Just like in filmmaking, the bulk of the work happens before the action ever begins.  A strong pre-production phase lays the groundwork for a smooth, successful execution—whether you’re making a film or running a festival.  At FFF, we aim to be intentional in everything we do—from crafting meaningful filmmaker experiences to shaping how festivalgoers feel when they walk through our doors. The more thought we put into every detail, the more powerful and seamless the event becomes.

The more organization your event has the more the attendees are able to focus on what really matters: the movies.  Similar to an editor, you really only notice it when it’s not working: In event planning, no one is really going to notice a seamless experience, and that’s the whole point. But they will notice (and remember) a disorganized experience, and that’s what we really want to stay away from.

Our whole [paradigm] is the individual—the individual filmmaker and the individual film-goer.  If you come to our festival, we want to be prepped and ready to provide you the best possible experience, and something we realized last year is that there really is no end to how prepared you can be to provide that experience.  So, like any young festival, we’re learning, growing and adapting to what it is our viewers need.

—Dalton Okolo, Executive Director

Approximately how many films will be screened this year?  Is there a general “theme” surrounding them?
This year’s festival will screen about 41 films, which is an increase from last year. This year’s theme is, “It’s not the camera, it’s the eye.”  These films show that powerful storytelling comes from vision, not expensive equipment.  Despite modest budgets, they break away from traditional Hollywood formulas, standing out through bold creativity and fresh perspectives.

—Wa’ad Adam, Executive Producer & Head of Experience Design

What local partners are you working with to ensure this festival is a success?
We’re partnering with local businesses to host film screenings, panels, and mixers throughout the festival.  We’re also working with them to offer special discounts to our visiting filmmakers traveling from across the country.  Our venues include the Courtyard Marriott, Red Dragon Brewery, REIGN the Venue, Ironclad Inn, and Wild Hare Cider.  We are also partnering with such local musicians as Virginia Man and Jonathan Facka.

—Wa’ad Adam, Executive Producer & Head of Experience Design

An event like this truly relies on community involvement, so how are you recruiting people to get involved, be it filmmakers, journalists, volunteers, civic leaders or otherwise?
In addition to local venues and discounts, FFF will feature appearances by community leaders like Fredericksburg Mayor Kerry Devine and City Council Member Will Mackintosh.  We’ll also be joined by local personalities like Garrett Josemans-Krause and Taylor Krause, known from Netflix’s Love Is Blind.

—Antonella Membreno, Head of Marketing

Dalton Okolo

Tell us a little bit about the FXBG filmmaking scene.  What would you like people to know?
Walk down William Street during the Christmas season, and it’s a Hallmark movie.  Walk down Caroline Street on a summer Friday. It’s a Norman Rockwell painting.  This town in and of itself is cinematic.  On top of that, there are plenty of hungry artists here who want to be involved in the broader Commonwealth filmmaking scene.  We simply see it as the perfect place for filmmakers and film lovers.

—Dalton Okolo, Executive Director

What other exciting announcements (if you can share) or events will be happening next week?
In addition to our screenings, panels, and workshops, our after-party mixers will feature activities like sip and paint.  These will take place at popular downtown spots such as the Stable Block Bourbon Tasting Room at Ironclad Inn and Wild Hare.  The festival will also showcase local musicians, including Virginia Mann and Jonathan Facka.

—Antonella Membreno, Head of Marketing

Is there anything else you’d like to share with Screen Comment about yourselves and the festival?
The FFF team is dedicated to supporting the city of Fredericksburg by bringing great art to the community and collaborating with local businesses.  Made up of Fredericksburg filmmakers, our team is passionate about both film and our city.

—Wa’ad Adam, Executive Producer & Head of Experience Design

In the coming years, we hope that FFF will bring the entire community together—transforming the whole week into a full downtown takeover.

—Antonella Membreno, Head of Marketing

For the full lineup of events, and to purchase tickets, visit https://fxbgfilmfestival.com/.