W&M PROGRAMMING
The 2024 Ampersand Festival features guest conversations, films, and industry summit events from dozens of W&M alumni, students, and faculty.
Film highlight programming includes a conversation event with American Fiction Writer/Director Cord Jefferson ‘04, plus Q&A talks with Madu Editor Georgia Dodson ‘04 and We Grown Now Producer Joe Pirro ‘08.
Live performance programming includes new theater productions from comedian Sara Schaefer ‘00 (Going Up), playwright Elliot Wegman ‘12 (Breaking Point), and undergraduate student Ella Jo Nguyen ‘24 (One and the Same), a performance by Music faculty member Harris Simon, a photography exhibit from Center for Student Diversity Director Dr. Kimberly L. Weatherly, and a lecture from Muscarelle artist-in-residence Delita Martin. Swem Library is hosting Living Libraries, a collaborative storytelling initiative.
Free presentation events include an author talk from Pulitzer Prize-winning author Walter Hickey ‘12, and Industry Summit sessions from Ashley E. Miller ‘94, Jenika McCrayer ‘13, Sophia Glock ‘04, and others.
W&M FILMMAKING
The following programs showcase additional feature-length and short film works created by members of the William & Mary community. All of the events below are free and open to the public with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.
W&M SHORTS
These programs feature showcases of W&M short films, followed by Q&A discussions with the filmmakers.
W&M SHORTS #1
Friday, March 22, 7:30 PM, Tucker Theater, Free
the ridge grave girls - presented by Tatiana Coleman ‘25
Wilma and Mary - World Premiere, presented by Lina Hunt ‘24, Jordan Anderson ’24, & Maddy Mendez ’24
The Hanged Man - World Premiere, presented by Declan Casto ‘24 and Madeline Burdge ‘25
Homesick - presented by Vivian Huang ‘24 & Elise Whitworth ‘25
Zoe - Virginia Premiere, presented by Selah Ball ‘25
The Underworld Society - World Premiere, presented by Ryan Harp ‘25
W&M SHORTS #2
Saturday, March 23, 10:30 AM, Tucker Theater, Free
Hollow Organs - National Premiere, presented by Adrian Wood ‘14
The Paper Copy - presented by Erik Wells ‘23
Last Straw - World Premiere, presented by Will Larroca ‘21
Space Invasion The Movie Film - presented by Ted Hogeman ‘09
Outbound - Virginia Premiere, presented by Alison Freedman ‘13
Ask for Help - presented by Gina DeAngelis
Operation: Wet Paint - Virgina Premiere, presented by Jack Strayton ‘22
Bull - A Butch Elegy - presented by Brigid Cryan ‘22 & David Lefkowitz ‘22
Devil in the Details - Virgina Premiere, presented by William R. Coughlan ‘91
Skitter - presented by Ted Hogeman ‘09
We Need Mirrors - World Premiere, presented by Caleb Turner ‘20
W&M SHORTS #3
Sunday, March 24, 12:30 PM, Sadler Center Commonwealth Auditorium, Free
WEMAKE FILMMAKERS STUDENT FILM SHOWCASE
Sunday, March 24, 3:30 PM, Sadler Center Commonwealth Auditorium, Free
This showcase will feature a series of films created by the WeMake Filmmakers W&M student organization.
Total Desaturation, Jack Weisgerber ‘25
Listen, Tatiana Coleman ‘25
Shush!, Reagan Pyle ‘26 & Sophie Rush ‘26
The Best Film Never Made: A Will E. Makeit Story, Kornel Tyler ‘25
Statement 15, Rhys McKee ‘24
DINNER BY BREAKFAST
Presented by Peter Rizzo ‘23
Friday, March 22, 10:00 PM, Tucker Theater, Free
2023, USA, English, 70 min, Not Rated
An eclectic study group is forced to shelter in place following a cryptic email from their school and gradually discover that they're dealing with the beginnings of the zombie apocalypse. The film’s cast and crew are composed entirely of W&M students.
THE CREATIVE TYPES - WEB FILM SERIES SCREENING
Presented by Professor Kevin Smith
Sunday March 24, 10:00 AM, Sadler Center Commonwealth Auditorium, Free
2023, USA, English, 68 minutes, Not Rated
A funny and affectionate look at creative college students who make films, act in plays, write stories and struggle (often in vain) to express themselves creatively. All episodes will be screened, including a brand new episode shot in February 2024.
VOICES OF INTEGRATION
Presented by The Local Black Histories Project, a Village Initiative and W&M research collaboration
Sunday, March 24, 3:00 PM, Tucker Theater, Free
2023, USA, English, 43 minutes, Not Rated
Black students reflect on their experiences of trauma, exclusion, and isolation during 1969, the first year of mandatory integration in the Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools. The film represents a healing process for these individuals and a call to action to address the legacies of integration.
24 SPEED
Established in 2007, the annual 24 Speed Filmmaking Competition challenges participants to create a short film in 24 hours, including an assigned genre, prop, and line of dialogue. This year’s festival features the premiere screening of the undergraduate short films, plus three alumni events: the premiere screening for the alumni version of the competition, a showcase of the new alumni “Remake Challenge,” and a Saturday reception.
24 SPEED: W&M STUDENT FILM COMPETITION SCREENING
Produced in partnership with W&M Libraries & the Reeder Media Center
Wednesday, March 20, 9:30 PM, Kimball Theatre, Free
A showcase of the 2024 entries in the 24 Speed competition created by current W&M students, culminating in an awards ceremony for the top films, including an Audience Award as voted on during the screening!
24 SPEED: FESTIVAL RECEPTION
Saturday, March 23, 2:00 PM, W&M Entrepreneurial Hub, Free
This reception will feature an opportunity to mix and mingle with fellow (and future!) 24 Speed participants and audience members of all ages in a casual environment. This reception is free and open to the public.
24 SPEED: W&M ALUMNI FILMMAKING COMPETITION SCREENING
Saturday, March 23, 9:30 PM, Tucker Theater, Free
A showcase of the 2024 entries in the 24 Speed competition created by W&M alumni, culminating in an “awards ceremony” for the “top” films, including comments from “prestigious judges” and a completely legitimate Audience Award as voted on during the screening!
24 SPEED: W&M ALUMNI REMIX CHALLENGE SCREENING
Sunday, March 24, 11:00 AM, Tucker Theater, Free
In fall 2023, the alumni of 24 Speed held the “A24S Remake Challenge,” where alumni participants were given 24 hours to remake, reboot, or “requel” a randomly assigned film from the Alumni 24 Speed archive. This screening will feature the shorts created during the 2023 event, including discussions with the filmmakers.