Alexandria Film Festival

08/08/2026

Thanks to our sponsor Alexandria Times for the great coverage of our summer film series! We’re thrilled by the community response to the screenings! Alexandria Times

By Chloe McCann Patti North, executive director of the Alexandria Film Festival, has long been active in the local arts scene – for her it’s what makes Alexandria so special. “I used to joke with my fellow commissioners that without art, Alexandria is just Williamsburg inside the Beltway,” s...

08/05/2026

Thanks to all who attended last night's screening and discussion of "Louder than Guns" about the role that music can play in forging common ground on the divisive issue of guns in American society.

Special thanks go to Q&A participants David Greene, journalist and co-writer of the film, and Paul Friedman, executive director of Safer Country, and to moderator James Cullum of Alexandria Now.

It was wonderful to have such a great turnout on National Night Out for this important conversation.

08/04/2026

Listen to the discussion following the August 4th screening of "Louder than Guns." Participating were David Greene, journalist and co-writer of the film, and Paul Friedman, executive director of Safer Country. James Cullum of Alexandria Now was the moderator

08/02/2026

Tickets are still available for our screening on Tuesday, August 4, at 6pm of "Louder than Guns." Join us on National Night Out for this thought-provoking exploration of whether music can help us find common ground on one of the nation's most divisive issues.

"Though the topic of fi****ms in America is often regarded as political and polarizing, we’re approaching the subject differently by listening to all sides and seeking common ground," said Director and Producer Doug Pray. "Music is the way in, and I hope you’ll be inspired by the conversation."

Following the film, James Cullum of Alexandria Now will moderate a Q&A with Paul Friedman of Safer Country and journalist David Greene, who is featured in the film.

Come be part of this unforgettable conversation. Get tickets and more info via the link in our bio or at https://aff2026screenings.eventive.org/schedule/6a25f111d40d40dab79364de

07/30/2026

Tour with Old Crow Medicine Show lead Ketch Secor throughout America to explore all sides of this country’s polarized gun debate through the power of music, civil discourse, and unexpected common ground.

Join us for a screening of "Louder than Guns" at 6pm on Tuesday, August 4, at the Lyceum in Old Town. David Greene, subject of the film, as well as public radio host, producer, and writer, will participate in a post-screening Q&A with Paul Friedman, Executive Director of Safer Country. James Cullum of Alexandria Now will moderate.

Tickets and more info are available via the link in our bio or at https://aff2026screenings.eventive.org/schedule/6a25f111d40d40dab79364de

07/27/2026

James Cullum of ALXnow previews our two upcoming films and traces our history in his latest article. James will moderate the Q&A following the August 4 screening of “Louder than Guns.”

https://www.alxnow.com/2026/07/27/documentaries-on-e-jean-carroll-and-gun-violence-to-preview-alexandria-film-fests-20th-anniversary/

The 20th annual Alexandria Film Festival is off to a flying start. In August and September, the film fest will showcase screenings of documentaries about gun violence and E. Jean Carroll, the former advice columnist who won a sexual assault and defamation trial against President Trump. Patti North,....

07/26/2026

Can music help Americans talk about one of our most divisive issues? Find out by joining the Alexandria Film Festival and Safer Country for the Virginia premiere of “Louder Than Guns” on National Night Out, August 4, at 6 pm at The Lyceum in Old Town, Alexandria.

The film follows Old Crow Medicine Show frontman and “Wagon Wheel” co-writer Ketch Secor and journalist David Greene as they travel through rural, urban, and suburban America, bringing together people with sharply different views on guns. Along the way, they discover the possibility of understanding, healing, and common ground.

Following the film, join Safer Country’s President Paul Friedman and David Greene for a Q&A discussion about the film and gun violence prevention. Tickets are $15 and available via the link in our bio or at https://aff2026screenings.eventive.org/schedule/6a25f111d40d40dab79364de

07/24/2026

Time is running out to submit films for consideration for our 20th anniversary festival on November 13-15. The extended -- and final -- deadline for film submissions is Saturday, August 1.

Don't miss your chance to submit to this year's festival! Accepted filmmakers will be notified in early September! Learn more via the link in our bio or at https://filmfreeway.com/AlexandriaFilmFestival-523023

07/22/2026

Our summer film series continues in two weeks on National Night Out, August 4, at 6 p.m. with a screening of "Louder Than Guns."

The film follows Old Crow Medicine Show frontman and “Wagon Wheel” co-writer Ketch Secor and journalist David Greene as they travel through rural, urban and suburban America, bringing together people with sharply different views on guns.

During their journey, they discover the possibility of understanding, healing and common ground. Tickets and more info are available via the link in our bio or at https://aff2026screenings.eventive.org/schedule/6a25f111d40d40dab79364de

Following the film, Safer Country’s president ,Paul Friedman, joins David Greene for a Q&A discussion about the film and gun violence prevention.

07/16/2026

TIckets are still available for Sunday's screening of "Space Cowboy," a life-affirming documentary about Joe Jennings, who makes art by filming ordinary objects flying through the sky.

Join us at 6:30pm (doors open at 6pm) at the Lyceum in Old Town for this film that will take your breath away. Tickets are only $15 and are available via the link in our bio or at https://aff2026screenings.eventive.org/schedule/6a25f08d0b0cdbdabb751416