La La Land, Lion, Loving and Manchester By The Sea All Heading to Middleburg Film Festival

La La Land starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling is heading to the Middleburg Film Festival. Damien Chazelle’s romantic musical has been announced as the centerpiece film and will screen on Saturday night with Chazelle in attendance.

The festival will open with Lion starring Dev Patel, Rooney Mara and Nicole Kidman. The film is based on the true story of Saroo, a young boy who gets separated from his family and brother at a young age. He grows up to be a successful young businessman and decides to use Google Earth to help him jog his memory and search for his family. Dev Patel delivers one of the most moving performances of the year.

Moonlight, Loving and Manchester By The Sea will also screen during the festival which runs from October 20-23. Chile’s Neruda, Italy’s Fire At Sea, Iran’s The Salesman, as well as Denmark’s Land of Mine are among the foreign language films that will screen.

Henry Jackman will be honored as this year’s Distinguished Film Composer with a live performance of his most memorable scores performed by the Shenandoah Conservatory Symphony Orchestra and The Freedom Choir. Jackman’s featured works include The Birth of A Nation, Captain America, and Big Hero 6. A conversation with Jackman is also set to take place during the musical selections.

Susan Koc, Executive director of the Middleburg Film Festival said, “We are thrilled to share some of the year’s best films followed by thought-provoking conversations with festival attendees.” She added, “The 2016 program includes a mix of Oscar contenders, critically-acclaimed foreign language films and compelling documentaries.”

“We look forward to welcoming festival attendees to the fourth year of Middleburg Film Festival,” said Middleburg Film Festival founder Sheila C. Johnson. “We have an exceptional film slate this year, featuring the work of a diverse and very talented set of filmmakers. We’re delighted to showcase the work of first-time directors as well as acclaimed filmmakers from all over the world.”

For more information and tickets visit: http://middleburgfilm.org/