12:30 PM: The Fall of the House of Usher (La Chute de la Masion) (dir: Jean Epstein, FR, '28, 65 min.) This Poe adaptation that incorporates his “The Oval Portrait” with “The Fall...” may be the most atmospheric, Gothic and entrancing of the silent horrors, with a subtle dose of Surrealism. Not surprising since the Surrealists loved Poe, including Ass' t. Dir. Luis Bunuel. 2:00 PM: Native Land (dir: Paul Strand, Leo Hurwitz, US, '42, 80 min.) Narrated by African-American actor/activist Paul Robeson, and produced by the progressive Frontier Film Group, this powerful docudrama uses reenact-ments of actual incidences of violence against unions, minorities and activists. More relevant now than ever! In our National Film Registry, LOC. More information available here! The annual James River Film Festival (JRFF) was established by JRFS co-founder Michael Jones, along with other Richmond area university faculty members, media professionals, and volunteers, in April 1994. The purpose of the festival is to celebrate and examine the history and continuing contributions of independently produced film and video. Each April the festival brings nationally and internationally known independent filmmakers to Richmond to screen and discuss their work. In 2011, the festival spun off its annual juried competition for short films (30 minutes or less) into its own festival, James River Shorts (Now the James River Short Film Showcase). We welcome submissions from around the globe! JRFF awards up to $2,000 in cash and prizes — another way the James River Film Society supports and stimulates independent filmmaking.