CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW)- The 2026 Virginia Film Festival came to a close on Sunday with both ticket sales and attendance setting records for the 39-year-old festival.   

A total of 26,613 moviegoers attended 105 film screenings from Wednesday through Sunday last week, and when adding in special guest-speaker panels, a total of 64 of the festival events were sold out. 

And many of those attendees chose “I Play Rocky” as the festival’s top movie. Peter Farrelly’s behind the scenes tale of the making of the classic 1976 film “Rocky” was chosen as the best narrative feature, as voted by festival goers.

“I feel immense gratitude to our community for showing up—in every meaning of the phrase,” Ilya Tovbis, artistic director of the Virginia Film Festival said in a release. 

Executive Director of The Film Festival and Vice Provost for the Arts at UVA Jody Kielbasa praised Tovbis for creating the strongest program he has seen in the eighteen years at the University. 

“The reality on the ground was better than anything I could have imagined,” Kielbasa said. “I can’t remember ever feeling this kind of excitement in the air thanks to the remarkable curation of the program.” 

In the kiosks outside of the theaters as they left, audiences expressed their appreciation for the films they saw, and the responses were tallied to award the best films in four categories throughout the program. 

In addition to “I Play Rocky,” Matthew Syrett’s look at the admission process for a few select, first-generation high school students into UVA, “Admission Possible,” earned top honors in the documentary feature category. 

A 16-minute chase in Bombay to recover a stolen guitar, “Getar Hero,” was awarded the best narrative short at the festival. 

And Hannah Ayers and Lance Warren’s in-depth look at a Charlottesville native, “Sarah Kelley: Becoming Visible,” took home top honors in the documentary short category. 

The festival awarded several industry tentpoles for their achievements in the world of film during the program, and all made the trip to accept in person to thrilled and appreciative crowds. 

Todd Black was recognized with the Career Producer Honor in front of a screening of latest effort, “The Social Reckoning,” alongside the film’s writer, Aaron Sorkin, who also made an appearance at the Paramount Theater.

Tim Blake Nelson screened his independent drama, “The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd,” at the Paramount Theater and accepted the festival’s Virtuoso Award for his multidisciplinary excellence as a writer, director, and actor. 

Screenwriter and director Chuko Esiri was honored for Outstanding Achievement in Screenwriting for “Clarissa,” an adaptation of “Mrs. Dalloway” set-in modern-day Lagos.    

Finally, both recipients of the festival’s Visionary Awards, took the stage in Charlottesville to answer questions from Turner Classic Movies Primetime Host Ben Mankiewicz for the eager audiences.   

Nathan Lane appeared and gave a sharp and uproarious acceptance speech following a 30th anniversary screening of the classic comedy “The Birdcage,” in which he starred alongside the late Robin Williams. 

And Jessica Lange also sat down with Mankiewicz following a screening last year’s Eugene O’Neil adaptation “Long Day’s Journey into Night,” in which she starred with Ed Harris.