- By Keith Loria / Special to the Fairfax County Times
- Oct 7, 2026 Updated 19 hrs ago
The 15th annual festival pairs an East Coast premiere with independent films, local talent and support for military families
The Washington West Film Festival will mark its 15th annual edition with the East Coast premiere of “JIMMY,” a biographical drama starring “Riverdale” actor KJ Apa as the legendary Jimmy Stewart.
Running Oct. 8–12 at LOOK Dine-In Cinemas at Reston Town Center, the festival brings together independent features, documentaries and shorts, with opportunities to meet the people behind them.
Founder and president Brad Russell sees the premiere as recognition of the community Washington West has built among filmmakers and audiences.
“It definitely is validating, and the filmmakers are terrific people,” he said. “We can tell that there’s real interest and hunger in the D.C. area for this story.”
“JIMMY” follows Stewart through a transformative period, from Hollywood success to service as a World War II combat pilot and the difficulty of returning home. His eventual portrayal of George Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life” becomes central to that journey.
The Oct. 10 premiere includes a 6 p.m. red carpet and a post-screening Q&A with director Aaron Burns and members of the cast and producing team, including actress Jen Lilley.
Among the guests will be Karolyn Grimes, who played Zuzu Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life” and makes a cameo in “JIMMY.” Washington West will present her with a Lifetime Achievement Award as the holiday classic celebrates its 80th anniversary.
“She is the life of the party from what we understand,” Russell said. “She flies all over the place.”
The evening also includes a 6:30 p.m. tribute to the late Robert Duvall before the first screening. His wife, Luciana Duvall, will participate in a celebration of his film career and the couple’s charitable work through the Robert Duvall Children’s Fund, a longtime festival partner.
“The Duvalls just really care about helping people in need,” Russell said.
Washington West donates all of its net box office proceeds to charity, a practice that has helped build a loyal audience. This year, its charitable beneficiaries are directly connected to Stewart’s military service and Duvall’s support for military families.
“We’re giving half of our festival week ticket sales to Our Military Kids, and the other half to Vet Tix,” Russell said.
Our Military Kids funds activities for eligible military children, while Vet Tix provides event tickets to service members and veterans. Russell noted the latter donation also connects with a Jimmy Stewart kindness campaign accompanying the film’s theatrical release in November.
The broader lineup of the festival begins Oct. 8 with “Stronger Than You Think,” following swimmer Ali Truwit’s recovery from a shark attack and her journey to the 2024 Paralympics in Paris. Truwit, her coach Jamie Barone and director Janice C. Molinari are scheduled for a Q&A.
“It’s really a terrific story,” Russell said.
Also screening opening night is “Union County,” a Sundance selection starring Will Poulter and Noah Centineo as brothers navigating drug rehabilitation in rural Ohio.
Oct. 9 brings Short Film Friday, two programs separated by a dessert-and-drinks intermission, with filmmaker conversations extending the experience beyond the screen.
“It’s really become a favorite hit of our festival,” Russell said.
Saturday’s lineup includes student showcases from George Mason University and Virginia Commonwealth University. Washington West’s relationship with George Mason spans 14 years, giving emerging filmmakers a regular place in the festival alongside established professionals.
George Mason’s program begins at 11 a.m., with a filmmaker Q&A afterward. VCU’s “(CAP)SULE: New Voices in VA,” featuring documentary shorts exploring Virginia, follows at 1:30 p.m.
Other Saturday highlights include “The Cashier,” the directorial debut of Virginia Film Office director Andy Edmunds, and “FreeLance,” a television pilot that screened at Sundance.
“It’s rare for an audience to get to see a true pilot,” Russell said.
The Caring Collective shorts program includes the world premiere of “The Stories We Carry,” about students learning to understand one another through sharing their stories.
Russell said the selections favor films that encourage empathy, whether through comedy, animation or more challenging subjects. As Washington West has grown, he has seen audiences return for the connections made in the theater and the good their attendance can support.
“Our festival just continues to have a very unifying culture about it,” he said. “We feel like that’s as needed today as ever.”
For tickets, visit www.wwfilmfest.com.