Global ONFilm competition is a first for Norfolk

On target, in focus and, most of all, on the map: The annual ONFilm Festival sponsored by Old Dominion University and the city of Norfolk turns "independent" this year, with 25 films in competition. It is the first time an international, competitive film festival has been held in Norfolk.

Now in its 11th year, the festival previously was a themed event of retrospective films and panel discussions. During the four-day film celebration, which begins Wednesday and concludes March 28, winners will be selected by the festival's jury in six categories - best overall film, best feature, best documentary, best short film, best short-short and best environmental film. Most of the winning filmmakers will fly to Norfolk to receive their prizes at the festival's gala closing-night party at the Granby Theater on March 28.

Screenings begin Thursday after the festival opens Wednesday night with the presentation to actor Richard Dreyfuss of the third Lifetime Achievement in Film Award.

"The time had come," said Lane Dare, the festival's director. "We wanted to turn the festival into a showcase for the most adventurous movies that would otherwise not be seen locally. We turned toward the independent film community, nationally and internationally. We named a top-notch jury of experts, and we provided prizes, cash and film services. The result was an outpouring of entries. We are on our way to becoming a major festival and, indeed, this year have visitors from around the world."

The 25 films in competition were chosen from more than 100 entries. Most of the screenings will take place on the ODU campus, with the exception of a "Winners Marathon," including all the award winners, which will be at the Naro Expanded Cinema in Norfolk on the festival's closing day.

In a joint statement, Mayor Paul D. Fraim and acting ODU President John R. Broderick said: "We are both proud about the new format of the film festival. This event will, hopefully, attract visitors and attention to our region. It represents a true collaboration between the city and the university."

The Lifetime Achievement in Film Award was a pet project of former ODU President Roseann Runte, who was instrumental with City Councilman Randy Wright in securing Norfolk's participation in an expanded university festival three years ago. Former winners are Ellen Burstyn and Danny Glover. This year's honoree is the star of such films as "Jaws," "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and "American Graffiti "; he won an Oscar for "The Goodbye Girl."

The festival's jury includes Stephen Israel, executive producer of "Swimming With Sharks," which will be shown out of competition; Brian Cox, film executive with Distant Horizon, which specializes in Asian cinema; Jeff Frizzell of the Hampton Roads Film Office; Mal Vincent, film critic for The Virginian-Pilot, and Doug Wedeck, executive vice president of Screen Gems Studio in Wilmington, N.C.

Screenings will take place at three ODU campus locations as well as at the Naro. Prices for all screenings (with the exception of the Awards Gala) are $5 for students and $10 for the general public. The Lifetime Achievement event is free. Prices for the Awards Gala are $10 for students and $20 for the general public. Tickets can be purchased in advance at University Theater Box office (46th Street and Hampton Boulevard ) or at screening locations. For more information check www.onfilmfest.com.

Mal Vincent, (757) 446-2347, mal.vincent@pilotonline.com