Grammy-nominated ensemble, W&M alumni headline special guests at 2020 Global Film Festival
Global Film Festival: "Knives Out," which recently received three Golden Globe nominations, is one of the films that will be screened during the William & Mary Global Film Festival on Jan. 30 - Feb. 2. Submitted photo
Global Film Festival: Musical ensemble DeVotchKa, best known for its Grammy-nominated soundtrack to the hit indie film "Little Miss Sunshine," will perform a live, original score to the classic silent film "Man with a Movie Camera" during the William & Mary Global Film Festival on Feb. 1. Submitted photo
Films from around the world, including many influenced by William & Mary graduates, will be featured throughout the four days of the upcoming William & Mary Global Film Festival from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2 at the Kimball Theatre.
The festival, celebrating its 13th year, will include a diverse program of films and live events showcasing the work of international filmmakers, William & Mary faculty and emerging talent from around the globe.
The event will also include workshops, receptions and an extensive lineup of special guests, including William & Mary alumni David Crank ’82, production designer for Golden Globe-nominated mystery comedy “Knives Out”; Joe Pirro ’08, producer of the film “Driveways”; and Jeffrey Tinnell ’85, producer of “Feast of the Seven Fishes.” 
Other alumni scheduled to appear are Brian Cannon ’04, ’11 J.D. and Liz White ’04, staff members at OneVirginia2021, an organization that works to end gerrymandering, the focus of the documentary, “Slay The Dragon.”
Additionally, DeVotchKa, a four-person music ensemble best known for its Grammy-nominated soundtrack to the hit indie film “Little Miss Sunshine,” will perform a live, original score to the classic silent film “Man with a Movie Camera” on Saturday, Feb. 1.
The festival will feature films from or about Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Iraq and Brazil, among other countries.
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The GFF strives to make programming accessible to all members of the community and is able to do so through sponsorship from numerous community and William & Mary organizations. Ticket prices vary depending on the event. Free programs include a screening of “Dora and the City of Gold,” on Saturday, Feb. 1, sponsored by The Triangle Arts & Culture League. Tickets to DeVotchKa’s performance are $25.
Some film screenings will be accompanied by special receptions or live performances. The Thursday, Jan. 30, screening of “Nezha” will be preceded by a reception in the theater lobby, featuring food and beverages, sponsored by the William & Mary Confucius Institute.
A screening of “Parasite,” the 2020 Golden Globe winner for Best Foreign-Language Film, will also take place that day. The dark comedy follows a poverty-stricken family whose newfound employment with a wealthy family has unintended consequences.
The Friday, Jan. 31 screening of “Knives Out,” which received Golden Globe nominations for Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy), Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy (Daniel Craig) and Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy (Ana de Armas), will feature an appearance by the film’s production designer, Crank. The event is sponsored by the Cohen Career Center.
Also on Jan. 31, the screening of “Scales” will include a pre-show performance by the William & Mary Eastern Music Ensemble and an appearance by the film’s writer/director, Shahad Ameen.
Movie tickets are available online and may be purchased at the Kimball Theatre Box Office during the festival. Free programs do not require tickets, and seats will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Programming in Tucker Theatre is free to attend.
W&M students may attend all programs for free. To receive a ticket, students should visit the Kimball Theatre Box Office during the festival and present their W&M student ID. Quantities may be limited.
Those planning to attend multiple events could purchase an all-access pass that grants entry to all festival events, including a reception Saturday night and DeVotchKa’s performance. Visit wmglobalfilmfestival.com for more information.
