CHARLESTON, WV (WOAY)- Film festivals allow filmmakers to showcase their work to the public. Many know of the largest festivals like Sundance, Cannes, and Tribeca, but there are many smaller festivals in a variety of locations, even in Charleston.
Taylor’s books on Capitol Street has more going on on the inside than just being able to buy a good book. You can have the opportunity to see films you may never get a chance to see again. In the basement of this store lies the Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema, home to the West Virginia International Film Festival.
“So our mission statement is, to encourage a love of cinema through diverse and inclusive films,” said Delford Chaffin, Board President of West Virginia International Film Festival. “So that’s kind of what we try to bring you know, these stories that aren’t as represented in big theaters as well and provide, you know, a variety of viewpoints from filmmakers of all kinds.”
The festival dates back to 1985, and due to COVID, they haven’t been able to host the full festival. However, for their 40th celebration, they plan on hosting one this November. This will help continue their mission for both the public and the filmmakers.
“West Virginia filmmakers as well, there’s not a ton of opportunity sometimes for them to screen their films for a public audience,” explained Chaffin. “West Virginians have a lot to say and a lot of, you know, cool stories and things like that around here. The same with other independent films, you know, there’s just voices out there that don’t get amplified as much by a large cinema.”
Although since they opened their current home around 8 years ago, they have been able to showcase local and international films all year round.
“We show films on Fridays and Saturdays and Sundays and then on Wednesdays, we show some West Virginia local-made films, films that are made by West Virginians or about West Virginia or some other meaningful connection to the state,” explained Chaffin. “Then we’re trying to lean into, you know, both parts of our name, the West Virginia and the international. That’s how this group got its start, showing international films. One of the first things they did was seven films for seven continents. So they had a film from each one there.”
If you wish to see what screenings they have available, you can go to their website listed below.
wviff.org
The West Virginia Department of Economic Development has many departments within it to promote economic growth in the state, the West Virginia Film Office is one of those.
The director of the office, Dave Lavender, expresses gratitude to the West Virginia International Film Festival for supporting filming since the 80s.
“WVIFF (West Virginia International Film Festival) supports mountain state films with its West Virginia Wednesdays Film Series and then curates and screens a lot of the hard-to-find indie cinema that may be up for an Oscar or screened at Sundance or SXSW (South by South West) but that isn’t coming to a multiplex,” said Dave Lavender, Director WV Film Office. “So WVIFF (West Virginia International Film Festival) has been essential in not only promoting regional filmmakers but also in inspiring local filmmakers and film buffs to have access to hard-to-find films and then get to share that in a room with other film fans.”
