Fredericksburg, VA. – The Paradigm Shift – directed by Jon Barr and written/produced by Sam Holdren – was awarded Best Short Film from the Rappahannock Independent Film Festival during their Sunday afternoon award ceremony. Holdren was in attendence.

The weekend was devoted to an eclectic mix of independent and international works in a very communal atmosphere in the screening auditorium at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library.

Festival guests included the "Angry Filmmaker" Kelley Baker, who tours throughout the country teaching his subversive brand of filmmaking (i.e. about the loss of true independent filmmaking). Baker gave an entertaining workshop in the Fredericksburg Athenaeum on Saturday morning to a very eager and receptive audience of filmmakers.


The Rappahannock Independent Film Festival is dedicated to being a socially conscious event. They work to implement practices that reflect the ethics of the organizers and participants. Here are a just a few of the things they are doing to lower their ecological footprint:

* They use a “green” web host which subsidizes clean energy such as solar and wind power.

* They handle most of their correspondence and advertising online to reduce shipping costs and paper waste.

* All of their events take place within walking distances to reduce the need for excess travel.

* When possible, they use local and organic foods at their events.

* They encourage the use of re-usable water bottles and recycling at
their events.

In all, the event was very well-organized by a team of hard-working and lively individuals who have fashioned an event that will hopefully by embraced for years to come. (hint, hint... enter this fest in 2010, filmmakers!)

The Paradigm Shift has previously won the Audience Award at the Main Line Film Festival in Wayne, PA; Best Student Narrative at the Peace On Earth Film Festival in Chicago, IL; Best Student Film (College/University) from the Wild Rose Independent Film Festival in Des Moines, IA for Barr and Holdren, as well as Best Actor from the same festival for the film’s lead actor H. Michael Walls.


Congratulations to Cast and Crew!