CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- The Virginia Film Festival has announced the lineup for its 36th year.

The opening night film is Bradley Cooper's Maestro, which is about legendary composer Leonard Bernstein. Other highlights include The Holdovers, featuring Paul Giamatti as a teacher who unexpectedly forms a bond with a wayward student, the Nicolas Cage film Dream Scenario and The Space Race, a documentary featuring UVA graduate Leland Melvin, who also served as executive producer.

Filmmakers Ava Duvernay and Jon Batiste as well as actress Riley Keough are just some of the stars who are coming.

VAFF Director Jody Kielbasa said the Hollywood strikes have affected their guest list.

"But you'll see we don't have a lot of actors because the actor strike is still going on. Now, there's always the possibility that could end in the next couple of weeks, and we might be able to bring in some additional talent here for this year's Virginia Film Festival. But it certainly has an impact of the extraordinary lineup of films that we have to offer this year," he said.

In addition to the wide variety of films being shown, the festival will include a trio of panel discussions regarding film production, the WGA and various paths one can take on the way to establishing a film career. They are free and open to the public.

VAFF goes from Oct. 25-29 and tickets go on sale Oct. 6. For more information, go to virginiafilmfestival.org.