Norfolk Video Production: Queer Film Fest, Outdoor Cinema & Quick-Turn Permits
Norfolk video production teams might not have a marquee festival on the calendar for the next two weeks, but the city still supplies crowd-filled backdrops, hands-on tech workshops, and expedited permits that can turn downtime into reel-worthy opportunities.
Festival Spotlight: Virginia Queer Film Festival
The third-annual Virginia Queer Film Festival (VAQFF) runs September 12–14 at Old Dominion University’s Goode and University theaters, showcasing shorts, music videos and features that foreground Southern LGBTQ voices. WHRO notes the lineup mixes regional premieres with filmmaker round-tables aimed at emerging crews. Passes start at $35, and press cameras are welcome in lobby zones—ideal for red-carpet content.
Production impact: VAQFF drew 1,100 attendees last year; organizers project a 25 % bump, meaning fresh clientele for local DP’s and on-site editors.
Outdoor Cinema: Silver Screen Saturday
Norfolk Parks & Rec teams with Festevents for Silver Screen Saturday on September 20, projecting Moana 2 at Five Points Park (6:30-9:30 p.m.). Blankets, food trucks and golden-hour lighting create turnkey B-roll; no permit is required for shoulder-rigs within spectator areas.
Tip: Bring battery-powered LEDs—park regulations restrict generators, but nearby food-truck plugs are rentable for $15.
Indie Nights at Naro Expanded Cinema
Colley Avenue’s Naro Expanded Cinema opens Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale on September 12 alongside cult programing (Night of the Juggler, Sept 11). On September 28, just past our window, Naro hosts the Best of Hampton Roads 48-Hour Film Project—worth noting if you’re polishing a trailer.
Casting & Crew Opportunities
- Commercial Content Creator—paid Hampton Roads spot; submissions close Sept 15.
- 48-Hour Crew Call still needs ACs and gaffers for late-Sept horror sprint; locations include Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
These micro-budget gigs add quick résumé lines between festival days.
Permits & City Logistics
Norfolk’s Film Permit Coordinator requires applications 14 days in advance; smaller shoots may gain faster approval. The single online form covers street closures, drone ops and city property use, and handheld productions on private land need no municipal review. Carry $1 million liability coverage and notify adjacent businesses when amplifying sound.
Training & Infrastructure Notes
Local troupe Hurrah Players opened a TV & Film Academy in January, offering behind-the-scenes courses that feed new talent into regional sets. Plans for a multi-stage film studio near Tatterset Business Park are still in planning review, aiming to add five sound stages when green-lit.
Looking Ahead
- Best of 48-Hour Screening, Sept 28, Naro—network with top short-form teams.
- NEON Festival, Oct 16-17—Norfolk’s arts district goes neon for murals, projections and pop-up films.
Lock permits now if you plan to film downtown during NEON’s street closures.
Quick-Hit Tips for Norfolk Video Production
- Reserve drone slots early—city airspace waivers average 72 hours.
- Press badges from VAQFF double as comp tickets at Naro; flash them at the box office.
- Five Points Park has 110-volt outlets along the stage edge; bring 50-ft stingers.
- Handheld crews at Art District murals can operate without city permits unless using tripods or blocking sidewalks.
Conclusion
With a boundary-pushing queer festival, free outdoor blockbusters, indie cinema staples and a 14-day permit clock, Norfolk offers a dense slate of creative and commercial opportunities before September ends. Nail your applications, pack extra SD cards, and Norfolk video production will roll smoothly from campus theaters to moonlit park lawns.
