UZO ADUBA TO STAR IN MOVING PICTURE INSTITUTE FILM MISS VIRGINIA

We are thrilled to announce that two-time Emmy winner Uzo Aduba will play the lead role of Virginia in our upcoming feature-length film, Miss Virginia. The announcement made the first page in Variety’s Friday print edition covering the American Film Market. 

Written by Moving Picture Institute executive vice president Erin O’Connor, the film depicts the real-life story of Virginia Walden Ford, a struggling inner-city single mother who moves her at-risk son from their dangerous neighborhood school to a better one in a safe area.

Uzo Aduba is best known for her role as Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren in the hit Netflix series Orange is the New Black. In 2014, she won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series, and in 2015, she won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. As one of only two actors to win Emmys in both comedy and drama for the same role, Aduba promises to bring unparalleled heart and dynamism to the role of Virginia. 

From O’Connor:

The real Miss Virginia is as formidable as she is warm and down-to-earth. No one captures that spirit like Uzo. Her bravery, grit, and humor shine through in all her performances. We’re ecstatic that she will be bringing her infectious energy to Miss Virginia.

Moving Picture Institute filmmaker R. J. Daniel Hanna will direct the film, which will be produced by MPI president Rob Pfaltzgraff, executive vice presidents Erin O’Connor and Maurice Black, and Stacey Parks of Media Sparks Films. The movie is set to commence production early next year.

Be on the lookout for more details to come as we move into the production phase.