Tickets are now on sale for the second annual Fredericksburg Film Festival (FFF), a five-day celebration of independent cinema from around the world and across Virginia. Presented by 1108 Media, the festival runs April 16–20, 2025, transforming Downtown Fredericksburg into a hub for storytelling.
More than just a celebration of film, FFF is a celebration of Fredericksburg itself, with events and screenings held throughout downtown. Venues include Courtyard Marriott, Red Dragon Brewery, and REIGN The Venue, while mixers and workshops will take place at local businesses like Wine & Design, Ironclad Inn, and Wild Hare Cider Pub.
“>From Tribeca to Fredericksburg
FFF’s debut in 2024 featured one of the most impressive lineups of any Virginia film festival—and this year’s programming raises the bar even higher. The 2025 lineup includes official selections from world-renowned festivals such as Tribeca, Sundance, and Cannes.
Many of the FFF films were selected at some of the most prestigious film festivals. All Things Metal, Beacon, Dirty Towel, and The French Italian were official selections at the Tribeca Film Festival. Border Hopper and Somebody Cares were official selections at the Sundance Film Festival. Beautyosity, a short film that will screen in the ‘Masters of Suspense’ block on Saturday, was part of the Short Film Corner at the Cannes Film Festival. FFF is thrilled to screen these incredible films, and is even more thrilled that many of these films’ directors are attending the festival this April.
FFF will also screen films, both American and international, that have begun to make a considerable impact in the world of independent cinema. Skategoat, a documentary feature, follows Los Angeles-native Leandre Sanders as he paves a career in professional skateboarding, and will screen at Red Dragon Brewery on Saturday, April 19th. Saturn, a science fiction feature, made its debut last September at the Richmond International Film Festival, and will screen at Courtyard Marriott. The ‘Pride in Film’ Shorts Block on Thursday, April 17th, showcases five incredible films about the LGBTQ+ community. These independent films are the backbone of FFF, and will demonstrate the incredible talents emerging in cinema.
Virginia Filmmakers in the Spotlight
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of FFF 2025, however, is the incredible lineup of Virginia films. Timothy Parsons, a filmmaker from Chesapeake, VA, has two films selected for FFF: Waiting for April and Memory Project. The Wychwood Cycle is a wonderful fantasy short, shot in Fredericksburg and directed by Fredericksburg-native Robert Kendzie. Dear Luke, Love, Me and 500 Fireflies are two fantastic narrative features that were shot in Virginia, and Calamity and Mercy, a documentary feature about Ukrainian refugees and activists, was directed by Woodbridge, VA resident Daniel W. Smith. FFF will highlight the extraordinary talent of Virginia filmmakers, and will showcase the gorgeous localities of this Commonwealth, including Fredericksburg!
The screenings for FFF have been carefully curated to ensure that audiences are enjoying the best viewing experience possible. Opening Night, for example, will feature four incredible shorts films (Waiting for April, Somebody Cares, How to Feel Fulfilled at Work, and Dirty Towel), followed by The Body Politic, a documentary feature about Mayor Brandon Scott’s efforts to reduce homicide in the City of Baltimore. The screening will end with a Q&A between Baltimore activist Erricka Bridgeford, who is featured prominently in The Body Politic, and Fredericksburg Mayor Kerry Devine. Events like Opening Night are examples of just how entertaining, insightful, and exciting FFF will be.
FFF is an avenue to bring great filmmakers, and great films, to the Fredericksburg community. Fredericksburg has proven itself to be a city of tremendous artistic expression, placing a strong emphasis on art with the many galleries downtown, as well as organizations such as the Fredericksburg Arts Commission. FFF continues that celebration of art, and will keep bringing the cinematic experience to the City of Fredericksburg.
Tickets for for the Fredericksburg Film Festival can be purchased at fxbgfilmfestival.com.