CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – In November, the Paramount Theater was filled near capacity for a fundraising event celebrating the work of local filmmaker Chris Farina, who has been diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease ALS. Five months later, Farina’s newest film, A Bridge to Life, will premiere in the same space putting a spotlight on the Bridge Ministry.

The film will screen April 18 at 7pm at the Paramount as part of the Tom Tom Festival. It explores the nonprofit in Buckingham County that’s dedicated to changing the lives of men dealing with serious addiction issues by providing an alternative to incarceration and a holistic approach to change that includes job training, counseling and spiritual mentoring to help them return to society as productive members of the community. The nonprofit was founded by Executive Director William Washington, who overcame his own childhood traumas and multiple incarcerations before being given an opportunity to enter a program that changed the course of his life.

WINA Morning News host Jay James works closely with Washington and spoke about Farina on Charlottesville Right Now ahead of the November fundraiser for Farina’s family.

“I think what people will see Sunday, aside from his amazing talent, God-given ability to tell stories which will move you, which is such a unique skill, you will see a reflection of the diversity of our community, of different lives that he has touched all coming back together to say, we got you. You are our brother. We love you. We’re going to be there for you. We are going to be there for you and your family.”

Listen to the interview with Jay James here.

Listen to the an interview with Chris Farina here.