WestXDC Inaugural Loudoun International Film & Technology Festival (LIFT)

West by DC (WestXDC), a Northern Virginia Digital Media & Technology Professionals Community and Events Management Organization, and Vector Scholar, a Loudoun after-
school STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) education non­profit, will present the inaugural Loudoun International Film & Technology Festival (LIFT) on October 10th, 2015 late Spring, 2016 at One Loudoun's Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Ashburn VA and other possible venues.

The festival is designed to encourage cultural development in the arts and promote technology and STEM education in the rapidly growing Loudoun & Dulles technology corridor.  Together, this "STEAM" (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) initiative is an academic synergy of all the elements that contribute to useful and successful innovation in our society and culture, to help take ideas, creativity and initiative from labs and classrooms, to engagement and success in the marketplace.

"This is a ground floor, grass­ roots effort by those in our community interested in promoting great digital media and entertainment, and helping our students get involved and successful in it, as both a really fun event and a regional economic development objective” said Ted McLaughlan, Founder of WestXDC and local technology business leader.

"Contributions will directly impact and support diverse STEM education initiatives, and the STEAM pathways, for all those who want or need it, right here in our local libraries and community. We expect LIFT to grow, expand screenings and events, and ultimately broaden its impact quickly in the next year."

Will Gorham, Founder of Vector Scholar, veteran and film festival producer felt the combining of the two efforts was a natural fit for Loudoun. “We have a growing local tech economy, plus a highly educated and culturally diverse workforce that often find themselves isolated from the plethora of entertainment options in DC. LIFT is a big step in celebrating our rich contributions to America’s technology and cultural development while grooming our future workforce”.

The initial festival is a one day event (plus separate VIP event) to establish support and develop community relationships, appealing to those interested in award-winning independent films, digital technology, and STEM education. This year LIFT will screen the 2015 Oscar nominated Live Action and Animated Short films along with major indie festival favorites, with expert discussion panels and networking.

Planning sponsors include the University of Virginia Club of Loudoun, TriVision Studios, KME.Digital, One Loudoun and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, among others.

Mark your calendars for the event (tickets and donor forms will be available soon), Follow the latest updates to get ticket information on the festival website (http://loudounfilmfest.com), and contact WestXDC for additional donor and sponsorship details via email ( info@westxdc.com - or sign up for our community email newsletter ). In addition to publicized support of these integrated community initiatives, sponsors receive extremely unique and durable digital marketing benefits, as well as very special event access opportunities.