WHEREAS, the Fredericksburg Film Festival held its inaugural event in May 2024, providing a platform for filmmakers to share their stories, ideas, and creative visions with the community and fostering dialogue, understanding, and appreciation for the art of cinema; and

WHEREAS, the Fredericksburg Film Festival was established by 1108, a Northern Virginia-based media production company, in collaboration with the City of Fredericksburg, which is renowned for its vibrant cultural heritage and commitment to the arts; and

WHEREAS, Dalton Okolo, the founder of 1108, and Ryan Cudahy, a local filmmaker, worked tirelessly with festival organizers, volunteers, sponsors, and community partners to curate an enriching and memorable experience for attendees, showcasing a diverse array of cinematic works from local, national, and international filmmakers, and further promote Fredericksburg as a hub for artistic expression and cultural exchange; and

WHEREAS, through film screenings, panel discussions, workshops, and networking events, the Fredericksburg Film Festival celebrated the power of storytelling to inspire, educate, and unite people across diverse backgrounds and perspectives; and

WHEREAS, the success of the first Fredericksburg Film Festival reflects the dedication, passion, and creativity of all those involved and contributes to the cultural enrichment and economic vitality of Fredericksburg; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Fredericksburg Film Festival hereby be commended on the occasion of its inaugural event in May 2024; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare copies of this resolution for presentation to Dalton Okolo, founder of 1108, and Ryan Cudahy, programming director of the Fredericksburg Film Festival, as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the festival's success and best wishes for the future.