Middleburg Film Festival, before its 13th edition that will run October 16 – 19, has announced both its opening evening and the middle piece films, as well as its first harvest of 2025 Honorees, exclusively to IndieWire.
Starting the four -day festival based in northern Virginia is ”Jay Kelly“The latest Netflix movie from four times Oscar-nominated Noah Baumbach. With George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Laura Dern and Billy Crudup, the gripping and humor-filled movie that examines the regrets and Netable Glory Centers on Clooney’s Movie Star Analog Jay KellyAnd his dedicated manager (Sandler,) as they go into a whirlwind and unexpected depth journey through Europe. The screening will end with the “Jay Kelly” receiving the introductory ensemble & casting award, which is awarded for Casting directors Douglas Aibel and Nina Gold together with the members of the film’s role.
This year’s Centerpiece movie will be recently Tiff People’s Choice Award -Winner “Harbor,” Directed by the Oscar Award winner Chloé Zhao (“Nomadland”, “The Rider”) who will participate in Middleburg to accept Visionary Director Award. The film pass of Maggie O’farrell’s novel 2020, which will be released by Focus features, tells a powerful story about love and loss that inspired the creation of Shakespeare’s timeless masterpiece, “Hamlet.” The movie Stars Oscar nominated Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal as well as Emily Watson, Joe Alwyn, Jacobi Jupe and Noah Jupe.
The Middleburg Film Festival offered a preview of the rest of its range and list of honors, including Recently Emmy Nominee Colin FarrellWho will receive Spotlight Actor Award after a show of his new Netflix movie “Ballad of a Little Player”, directed by Edward Berger (“Conclave”, “All Quiet on the Western Front”). Spotlight Actctor Award is intended to also honor Farrell’s extensive filmography which includes “The Lobster”, “in Brugge”, “Minority Report” and “The Batman.” “Ballad of a Small Player”, an adaptation of Lawrence Osbornes Roman 2014 of the same name, follows a player with high stakes lying in Macau when his past and debts start to catch him.
Rose Byrne will be honored with Agnès Va’s Trailblazing Film Artist Award for her performance in Mary Bronstein’s A24 Sundance Breakout “If I had legs I would kick you”, which she received Silver Bear for best leading performance at 2025 Berlin Film Festival. In the film, directed by Mary Bronstein, Byrne plays a mother whose world discovers when she struggles with her child’s mysterious illness, her absent husband, a missing person and an increasingly hostile relationship with her therapist. Byrne is best known for its Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated role in FX’s “Injuries”, her Breakout comedy-tour of the Oscar Award nominated “Bridesmaids”, and several lead roles along with the latest Emmy winner Seth Rogen, including “Neighbours”, “Neighbors 2,”, “” Agnès Varda Award is accompanied by a grant for mentoring film artists.
Finally, acclaimed Iranian Authaur Jafar Panhi will be recognized at Middleburg with the Impact Award for his Cannes Palme d’Or Winner “It was just an accident.” Panahi has long recognized as one of World Cinema’s most vital and courageous voices and has continued to create internationally celebrated work despite restrictions on his ability to travel and make films in his home country. His new film follows a man whose life discovers after a seemingly less traffic event escalates into an exploration of debt, justice and fate. He is one of only four filmmakers who won the top prize at the film festivals Cannes, Berlin and Venice. The film was also announced just as France’s official entry for best international function at the 2026 Academy Awards.
Individual tickets to the Film Festival 2025 Middleburg will be sold in early October when the schedule and full slate will be announced. For more information visit Festival website Or download the festival’s mobile app.
