March 28, 2024
Annapolis, US 51 F

Chevalier to Open Annapolis Film Festival on March 23rd

The 11th Annual Annapolis Film Festival has announced that Searchlight Pictures’ critically-acclaimed Chevalier will open this year’s festival on Thursday, March 23rd, at 7:15 pm in Maryland Hall’s Main Theatre. The evening will begin with a red carpet featuring celebrity and filmmaker guests at 6:30 pm and culminate with an after-party beginning at 9:30 pm under the tent on the front lawn of the fest’s signature venue Maryland Hall for Opening Night Ticket Holders and Festival Pass Holders (limited quantity available).  

Inspired by the incredible true story of composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. The illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner, Bologne (Kelvin Harrison Jr. in a tour de force performance) rises to improbable heights in French society as a celebrated violinist-composer and fencer, complete with an ill-fated love affair and a falling out with Marie Antoinette (Lucy Boynton) and her court. 

Festival Director Lee Anderson adds, “We are thrilled once again to bring our film festival to the Annapolis community. It is a highly anticipated event that has really sparked important conversations and has led the way in terms of growing the arts community in our town. Our big presence with the film festival continues to elevate Annapolis to a whole new level.” 

This year the sailing showcase is sure to win folks over in the sailing capital of the United States with the world premiere of Melges: The Wizard Of Zenda, which is the story of one of the greatest sailors in the history of the sport, Buddy Melges, who won scores of world championships, Olympic Medals and an America’s Cup. But what made him unique was his sharing everything he knew with anyone willing to ask. Director Mark Honer will participate in a Q&A hosted by former ESPN America’s Cup correspondent Gary Jobson. The screening will be preceded by a short film about Sharon Green, the infamous America’s Cup photographer. 

 No Legs, All Heart, captures the story of Andre Kajlich, who, after years of addiction, struggle, and coming to terms with his accident, completes the Race Across America, a bone-crushing, sleep-deprived, 12-day, 3,082-mile bike race that spits out 50% of able-bodied racers. Andre became the first double amputee wheelchair athlete to complete it as he crossed the finish line in Annapolis, Maryland.  No Legs, All Heart gives an intimate look beneath the forces that allowed Andre to overcome addiction and the pain we endure to carve our own path. On hand, will be the film’s first-time Latin American director and cinematographer, Pablo Durana, who spent eight years documenting the story of this incredible athlete along with Andre Kajlich, the subject of the film. 

“Our festival continues its commitment to high-quality programming as evidenced by last year’s jury award-winning film selections, Fire of Love and Night Ride, both nominated for the Oscars this year along with our other jury award-winner Emily the Criminal nominated for four Film Independent Spirit Awards this year,” says Director of Programming, Derek Horne. 

“This could be our most highly regarded lineup for the festival yet, with several new films from this year’s Sundance and SXSW. We are truly embracing our new theme, Looking Beyond, which challenges audiences to move past their preconceptions, world, their boundaries, and old beliefs. This truly will set the stage for our most exciting, diverse film slate yet.” said Patti White, Festival Director. 

Tickets and passes are now available, with Opening Night Tickets costing $50, Festival Passes available for $195, and Individual Tickets available for $15. 

For more information about the four days of films, industry panels, coffee talks and specific film showcases, please visit www.annapolisfilmfestival.org

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