The Middleburg Film Festival experienced something new for the first time in its 12-year history. In a surprise twist, the Audience Award for Best Narrative Film contest resulted in a tie. Edward Berger’s papal thriller Conclave and Tim Fehlbaum’s September 5 took the top honor at the annual Northern Virginia event.
Conclave (review here) “follows one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events – selecting the new Pope. Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is tasked with running this covert process after the unexpected death of the beloved Pope.” Berger was in attendance along with legendary actress Isabella Rossellini who received the Agnès Varda Trailblazing Film Artist Award at this year’s festivities.
September 5 “recounts the 1972 Munich Olympic hostage crisis from the perspective of the ABC Sports crew and their coverage of the events. The film stars Peter Sarsgaard, Ben Chaplin, Leonie Benesch, and John Magaro who was in attendance for Q&A discussions.
MIddleburg’s Audience Award for Best Documentary Film went to Martha, from director R.J. Cutler, who was also in attendance. The film traces the rise of Martha Stewart through intimate interviews with Stewart and others within her inner circle.
The Seed of the Sacred Fig has won the Middleburg Audience Award for Best International Film. “Shot entirely in secret, Mohammad Rasoulof’s thriller centers on a family thrust into the public eye when Iman is appointed as an investigative judge in Tehran. As political unrest erupts, he realizes that his job is more dangerous than expected, making him increasingly paranoid and distrustful, even of his own wife and daughters. The film is Germany’s official Oscar submission for Best International Feature.”
“On behalf of our audience, we are delighted to recognize these filmmakers and their work. Their stories deeply resonated with our filmgoers, for both their exceptional storytelling and craft,” said MFF Executive Director Susan Koch. “We are so grateful to our filmgoers who turned out in record numbers this year,” she added.
“A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s festival such a resounding success,” said MFF Founder and Board Chair Sheila Johnson. “We’re incredibly grateful to the filmmakers and distributors for bringing us their films and insights, and to our sponsors, audience members, staff, and volunteers for their unwavering support.”
The Middleburg Film Festival has been an important, influential stop during Oscar season. The festival has shown more than 300 Oscar nominees with 61 of those emerging victorious, and 38 of those winners for Best Picture.
You can find our complete Middleburg coverage here.
