Lights

The Virginia Student Film Festival aims to establish a prestigious annual event celebrating the creativity, talent, and dedication of student filmmakers across the nation. Taking place on April 6th, 2025, at the historic Paramount Theater in Charlottesville, the festival will provide a platform to showcase over 15 short films, each under 20 minutes, during two screening blocks. Beyond the screenings, the event will immerse attendees in a day-long celebration of the arts, featuring a panel of student directors sharing their experiences and a reception similar to a red-carpet Oscars event. The evening will culminate in an award ceremony with live music, performances by UVA artistic organizations, and the presentation of 7 awards with cash prizes, including $1,000 for Best Picture and an award for best UVA production. By offering a unique and immersive experience, the festival seeks to highlight the impact of student films, inspire the next generation of creators, and foster a vibrant, collaborative, artistic community at UVA and beyond.

Sponsored by The Jefferson Trust and UVA Student Council. Supported by UVA Arts & The Office of the Provost and Vice Provost for the Arts. Endorsed by the Virginia Film Office and University of Virginia Arts Council.

Schedule of Events

  • 11:00 AM–1:30 PM – Screening #1
  • 2:30-5:00 PM – Screening #2
  • 6:00–7:00 PM – Red Carpet
  • 7:00–7:20 PM – Filmmaker Panel
  • 7:30–9:30 PM – Awards Show

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! The Paramount Theater is pleased to bring diverse programming to the stage and screen. The Theater does not provide advisories about subject matter for events, as sensitivities vary. Not all events may appeal to, or be appropriate for, every person. Patrons are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the shows offered in order to make informed decisions prior to purchasing tickets.

In addition to show synopses, trailers, and reviews on our web events, other resources about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb, and DoesTheDogDie.com as well as through general internet searches. For further questions, please contact the Box Office at 434.979.1333 or at boxoffice@theparamount.net, 10AM-2PM Monday-Friday + 1 hour before events.