Passion for film fuels UVA festival

April 9, 2026
The Virginia Student Film Festival organizers gather on the stage of the Paramount Theater

Virginia Student Film Festival organizers gather on the Paramount Theater stage at the conclusion of the April 4 event. Student leaders revived the dormant festival last year and expanded its offerings this year. (Contributed photo)

While Hollywood seems to be chasing blockbusters, a group of dedicated University of Virginia students is proving that the heart of cinema beats strong on a low budget. Last week, the Virginia Student Film Festival returned to Charlottesville, continuing a legacy of storytelling that was nearly lost to time.

The Filmmakers Society at UVA founded the event in 1997, and it reached its peak around 2017 before entering a period of dormancy. In 2025, a new generation of student filmmakers, led by Ansh Pathapadu, decided to rebuild the festival.

“It was dormant for the longest time,” Pathapadu, a fourth-year computer science student and the group’s current president, said. “Last year, we revived the festival with a committee we formed from the ground up. We applied for a grant with the Jefferson Trust, which awarded us $30,000. That’s been our fuel.”

Close up of the marquee at the Paramount Theater all lit up saying Virginia Student Film Festival featuring Richard Kelly

The Paramount Theater’s marquee welcomes the Virginia Student Film Festival. The theater hosted the festival’s main screenings and a Q&A session with Richard Kelly, director of “Donnie Darko.” (Contributed photos)

The 2026 festival expanded its reach, inviting student submissions from across the country to compete for trophies and cash prizes. The schedule blended fan favorite screenings with professional opportunities:

  • April 2: The festival kicked off with a screening of “La La Land,” the winner of a monthlong Instagram bracket challenge.
  • Friday (Monroe Hill House): In addition to panel discussions featuring media studies, drama and studio art professors, students participated in a pitch competition. Student filmmakers had the opportunity to sell their vision to a panel of experts for a chance to win $250 in prize money for their next project.
  • Saturday (Paramount Theater): The theater featured 15 screenings selected from 35 total submissions. Between screenings, students attended a Q&A with special guest Richard Kelly, the director of the cult classic film “Donnie Darko,” who offered professional advice on navigating the industry. Following this was an awards ceremony hosted by UVA alumna and comedian Mary Walton Peterson, who highlighted the technical and creative prowess of the festival’s filmmakers. George Mason University dominated the night, with GMU filmmaker Madison Koren taking home both awards for Best Picture and Best Director for her film “Pas de Deux.” The night concluded with a performance by UVA dance group AcadeMIX and an after-party hosted by the comedy group Stepmom.

Beyond the screenings, the festival also brings filmmakers together. Pathapadu said at last year’s festival, a student director from George Mason University met a UVA actress, and the pair are now collaborating on a new short film.

“It’s a way for us to keep the film community in Virginia alive,” Pathapadu said. “I work as a consultant for the Digital Media Lab in the Robertson Media Center, and I’ve been seeing people renting out high-end equipment specifically to make movies for the festival. It’s cool to hear that something you created is someone else’s motivation to make art.”

With support from UVA Arts, the University Programs Council and the Office of the Vice President for the Arts, the Virginia Student Film Festival committee is already looking toward next year. What started as a revival is becoming a tradition, ensuring that student voices, regardless of budget, continue to have a home at the Paramount.

Media Contacts

Mike Mather

Executive Editor University Communications

The Latest From Student Experience