‘Rental Family’ And ‘Hamnet’ Steal The Show At Middleburg Film Fest, Proving Socal Isn’T The Only Hotspot!

Double Win at Middleburg: ‘Hamnet’ and ‘Rental Family’ Tie for Top Honor

Yo, LA fam, let’s take a quick trip outta SoCal and over to the rolling hills of Virginia for the 2025 Middleburg Film Festival, where two cinematic heavyweights just snagged the Audience Award for Narrative Feature. We’re talking Chloe Zhao’s much-buzzed-about ‘Hamnet,’ backed by Focus Features, tying with Hikari’s heartwarming ‘Rental Family,’ soon to drop via Searchlight Pictures. This isn’t just another red carpet moment in Hollywood - it’s proof that film fever burns bright way beyond our palm-lined streets.

‘Hamnet’ has been killin’ it on the festival circuit, already snagging the People’s Choice Award at Toronto International Film Festival back in September, cementing its spot as a likely Best Picture Oscar contender for next year. But sharing the spotlight with ‘Rental Family’ at Middleburg? That’s a vibe, showing there’s room for more than one blockbuster to win hearts outside the usual NY/LA echo chamber.

Here’s the tea: Middleburg’s award setup mirrors Toronto’s, where every screened flick gets a shot at glory. While Toronto was brutal this year - with gems like ‘Rental Family’ and ‘Roofman’ getting sidelined in the awards convo - Middleburg gave Hikari’s film the love it deserves, especially with a standing ovation for the director during the fest’s closing night. It’s got that SoCal summer energy of feel-good storytelling, and we’re here for it.

Crowd-Pleaser Alert: ‘Rental Family’ Shines Bright

Let’s zoom in on ‘Rental Family’ for a sec. This gem closed out Middleburg with director Hikari in the house, soaking up a standing O from a crowd of deep-pocketed film buffs from the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia scene - many of whom are industry insiders themselves. IndieWire critic David Ehrlich called it ‘a tender flick that blurs the line between truth and performance,’ and the Brendan Fraser-led project proved its crowd-pleaser status with this audience.

Even before it hit screens, word on the street pegged it as a must-see, and Middleburg’s reaction just sealed the deal. Fun fact: ‘Frankenstein,’ the runner-up for Toronto’s People’s Choice, also screened here, but it was ‘Rental Family’ that stole the show. It’s got that Malibu-style drama with heart, and we’re betting it’ll be a convo starter when it drops.

“‘Rental Family’ just hits different - it’s got this quiet power that sneaks up on you, kinda like a sunset drive down PCH,” raved one Middleburg attendee, echoing the crowd’s love for the film.

Documentary and International Gems Get Their Moment

Not just the narrative flicks got love at Middleburg - docs and international entries had their day in the sun too. ‘The Cycle of Love,’ a Telluride premiere like ‘Hamnet,’ nabbed the Top Documentary Prize with its wild true story of an Indian man biking 6,000 miles cross-continent for love. Despite screening alongside heavyweights like Netflix’s ‘Cover-Up’ and Nat Geo’s ‘Love+War’ and ‘The Tale of Silyan,’ this underdog still needs a distributor - fingers crossed the Middleburg hype lands it a deal for a Best Documentary Feature run.

Then there’s ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab,’ which took the Top International Prize. Directed by two-time Oscar nominee Kaouther Ben Hania and already Tunisia’s pick for Best International Feature, it’s still hunting for a distributor despite a Jury Prize win at Venice. It’s the kinda story that deserves a billboard on Sunset, and we’re hoping it finds its home soon.

Mixed Vibes and Standout Surprises from the Crowd

Beyond the official winners, Middleburg’s regional crowd - a mix of seasoned film lovers - had plenty to say about the lineup. Expected faves like Palme d’Or winner ‘It Was Just an Accident’ by Jafar Panahi and Scott Cooper’s ‘Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere’ got nods, while unexpected picks like A24’s rom-com ‘Eternity’ with Elizabeth Olsen (the Saturday Spotlight flick) and Searchlight’s ‘Is This Thing On?’ turned heads.

Some of the older attendees weren’t quite vibin’ with edgier stuff like ‘After the Hunt’ or ‘If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You,’ despite a raw performance from Rose Byrne. But Netflix’s slate? Total hit. From Noah Baumbach’s fest-opener ‘Jay Kelly’ to Richard Linklater’s ‘Nouvelle Vague’ and Rian Johnson’s latest ‘Knives Out’ installment, ‘Wake Up Dead Man,’ they had the crowd buzzing like a Friday night on the Sunset Strip.

Middleburg’s Take: Storytelling That Hits Home

At the end of the day, Middleburg Film Festival Executive Director Susan Koch summed it up best in a statement, celebrating how their lineup resonated so deeply with attendees. The emotional punch and global perspective of these films - from ‘Hamnet’ to ‘Rental Family’ and beyond - clearly struck a nerve, mirroring the bold storytelling the fest is all about.

This isn’t just a win for the films; it’s a reminder that passion for cinema isn’t confined to Hollywood Boulevard. Middleburg’s proving that from the East Coast to our West Coast waves, a good story can light up any crowd. So, LA, let’s keep an eye on these flicks as they roll toward awards season - they’re bringing the heat!