Locally Made ‘Bridging Ground’ Sets First Public Screening in Alexandria–Free!
A Story of Sin, Grace, and Repair, a locally made documentary rooted in Alexandria history, will have its first public screening on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at Virginia Theological Seminary.
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Bridging Ground: A Story of Sin, Grace, and Repair, a locally made documentary rooted in Alexandria history, will have its first public screening on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at Virginia Theological Seminary.
The film was shown privately on Sept. 11 to attendees of the seminary’s Descendants Gala. The Sept. 23 event will be the first opportunity for the general public to see it.
Doors open at 6 p.m., and the premiere begins at 7 p.m. at the Lettie Pate Center in the lower level of the Addison Building, 3630 Bishop Walker Circle. Hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be provided.
An Alexandria Story From Beginning to End
Bridging Ground explores Virginia Theological Seminary’s reparations program and the people at its heart. It traces the seminary’s effort to confront the legacy of enslaved and exploited Black labor on its campus—and its decision to move from acknowledgment to direct financial payments to descendants.
The documentary also tells a deeply personal story of Alexandria history, faith, family and friendship. Producer Mark Farkas grew up near the seminary, and his lifelong friendship with Pastor Elwood Jones helped uncover Jones’s own family connection to people who worked at VTS. The film features the work of Ebonee Davis-Hayes, the seminary’s Director of Reparations, and an original musical score by Jones.
Want the story behind the film? Read The Zebra’s September cover story, “Bridging Ground: A New Documentary Follows the Virginia Theological Seminary Reparations Program.”
First Public Screening
- When: Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026
- Doors: 6 p.m.
- Screening: 7 p.m.
- Where: The Lettie Pate Center, Addison Building (Lower Level), 3630 Bishop Walker Circle, Alexandria, VA 22304
Reserve your seat for the first public screening.
The evening is designed as more than a screening. Organizers describe it as a gathering for film, conversation and community—and an invitation to remember, honor, learn and repair together.
