RiverRun will present the third annual Can Film Festival to benefit Samaritan Ministries on Saturday, December 7 at Marketplace Cinemas (2095 Peters Creek Parkway in Winston-Salem). This year, the event is expanding to include two holiday films and three screenings: “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” at 12:30 p.m. and again at 3 p.m. and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” at 7:30 p.m.

The Can Film Festival will take place on the same day as Samaritan Ministries annual Penny Campaign collection at Truist Stadium from 9 a.m. until noon. Requested admission to the Can Film Festival is a minimum of two items of food for Samaritan Ministries per screening. Samaritan Ministries is particularly in need of ground coffee, spaghetti sauce, canned tuna, canned chicken, canned vegetables and canned fruit.

Tom Ackerman, ASC, who teaches Cinematography at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts School of Filmmaking and served as director of photography on the set of “Christmas Vacation” will be on hand for a discussion following the screening.

“The Can Film Festival is a favorite at RiverRun every holiday season. We’re thrilled to again partner with Samaritan Ministries to be able to help stock their food pantry while offering a rare opportunity to see both a new film and a holiday classic on the big screen,” RiverRun Executive Director Rob Davis said. “We look forward to this opportunity for members of our community to enjoy great films and do a great thing for Samaritan Ministries at the same time.”

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Synopsis:

A new film for 2024, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” shares the story of the Herdmans, six siblings who have a reputation for being the worst kids in the world. However, when they take over the local church pageant during the holidays, they just might teach a shocked community the true meaning of Christmas. “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” features actors Peter Holmes, Lauren Graham and Judy Greer.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Synopsis:

A holiday classic released in 1989, “Christmas Vacation” features Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase), who wants to have a perfect family Christmas. He pesters his wife, Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo) and children as he tries to make sure everything is in line, including the tree and house decorations. However, things quickly go awry. His cousin, Eddie (Randy Quaid), and his family show up unplanned and start living in their camper on the Griswold property. Even worse, Clark’s employers renege on the holiday bonus he needs.