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Cape Charles home to Experimental Film Virginia festival

More than 40 artists from around the world are sharing their work in Cape Charles at the Experimental Film Virginia festival.

CAPE CHARLES, Va. — At the Historic Palace Theater, more than 40 artists from around the world are collaborating to share their art in Cape Charles at the Experimental Film Virginia festival. 

Renata Sheppard organizes the festival for her hometown on the Eastern Shore each year for the past seven years.

This year Sheppard said there are extra special guests “all of the way from Italy, with a dance company Equilibrio Dinamico; from Taiwan in collaboration with the Taiwan ministry; to LA with Eddie Steeples who’s come off the TV show ‘My name is Earl’ and here to Cape Charles.”

The concept behind the festival is dancers, filmmakers and other artists come together to create fourteen short films before they’re distributed in New York and across the globe.

“They’ve screened from ‘South By Southwest’ to Lincoln Center,” said Sheppard.

Production Supervisor Alex Forge said the event is a celebration of international cultures, with a variety of visual art.

He’s here from France, for the festival. 

“It was such a good experience to meet really skilled and sensitive people who are very humble,” said Forge.

Also, this year, Sheppard has a surprise planned for the community on the 50th anniversary of the ‘Virginia is for Lovers’ brand. 

“We’ve been very inspired by the efforts in Norfolk and Virginia Beach to make murals.”

Nadia Petkovic is painting a surprise mural, that will be unveiled on the night of the 29th, and display on the side of Lemon Tree Gallery.

The artist is also from out of town, “I’ve been living in Berlin for the last seven years,” said Petkovic.

She hopes her work will bring the community some pride, “the mural is really about all of these elements of Cape Charles that come together in one space.”

To Sheppard, this festival builds an identity for Cape Charles that she’s sharing across Virginia. 

“Get your easy pass ready and just come, I promise you won’t be disappointed,” said Sheppard.

People who want to get a first look of the films and festivities can come to ‘Art in the Barn,’ in Eastville on Saturday night, or you can go to the premiere of the short films on June 29 at the Historic Palace Theater.

Both events are only $15, with tickets available at the door.

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