Middleburg Film Festival announced today that Alexander Payne's highly anticipated film Nebraska will open the inaugural festival that debuts October 24-27 in Middleburg. Justin Chadwick's Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is the centerpiece selection. The Middleburg Film Festival offers four days of fantastic films in a spectacular setting, only 30 minutes from Dulles International Airport and just one hour from Washington, D.C. A carefully curated selection of narrative and documentary films will screen in an intimate theatre environment, followed by fascinating Q and A's with world-renowned filmmakers and actors. The films include festival favorites, premieres, and Academy Award contenders.

Festival attendees will also be able to experience the natural beauty, food, wine, and warm hospitality of Middleburg during morning hikes and horseback rides through the glorious Piedmont countryside, at late afternoon wine-tastings at local vineyards, strolling through the historic town, and engaging in casual conversations with filmmakers while enjoying the best of Virginia cuisine at local restaurants.

Other events include a Concert and Virginia barbecue honoring a noted film composer; One-on-One conversations with filmmakers and actors; masters classes with leading members of the film industry; farm-to-table dinners featuring local produce and wine -- and of course lots of great parties.

The Festival was founded by Sheila C. Johnson with Susan Koch, Executive Director, and Connie White, Programming Director.

The Festival kicks off with the opening night film and party on October 24th. Included will be an orchestral concert featuring the works of a noted film composer, accompanied by movie clips.

A "Conversation with Director Lee Daniels and former Washington Post Writer Wil Haygood" will take guests behind the scenes of the critically acclaimed Lee Daniels' The Butler.

"We are honored to host Nebraska and Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom at the inaugural Middleburg Film Festival," Sheila explained. "Both films are beautifully-told stories that represent the best in filmmaking and that is exactly what the Middleburg Film Festival is all about."

Nebraska had its world premiere at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. It is the story of a quiet old man (Bruce Dern) whose mild-mannered son (Will Forte) agrees to drive him from Montana to Nebraska to claim a non-existent $1 million sweepstakes prize. The film moves from comedy to melancholy and regret, painting an unforgettable story of an aging father and his son. The Paramount Pictures release is due in theaters November 22.

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, slated to have its world premiere at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival, is based on South African President Nelson Mandela's autobiography of the same name. It chronicles his journey from growing up in a small village to leading the fight against apartheid and spending 27 years in prison before becoming the first democratically elected President of South Africa. Idris Elba (Prometheus, The Wire) stars as Nelson Mandela, Naomie Harris (Skyfall) stars as Winnie Mandela, with Justin Chadwick (The Other Boleyn Girl) directing. The Weinstein Company release is due in theaters November 29.

For film listings and screening times, event schedule, FAQs and to order tickets please visit: www.middleburgfilmfestival.org Follow us on Twitter @middleburgfilm and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MiddleburgFilmFestival