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Flyers for your special interests
Filmfest DC, The Washington, DC International Film Festival Presenting Over 70 Washington, DC Premieres of International Cinema April 24 - May 4, 2008Latin American Cinema and Politics & Film are FeaturedWASHINGTON, D.C. - The 22nd Annual FILMFEST DC, Washington DC's International Film Festival commences April 24 through May 4 with a spotlight on New Latin American Cinema and Politics & Film. "This is an exciting year for the festival. We have a large selection of DC premieres, international festival headliners and award winners plus a handful of Official Foreign Language Film Oscar® Selections. In addition, we are offering a strand of films from Washington DC directors," said Festival Director Tony Gittens. Since its inception in 1987, Filmfest DC has become one of Washington's major cultural events, enhancing the profile of the nation's capital both nationally and internationally. Filmfest DC is a District-wide event, bringing together the city's major cultural institutions in a spirit of cooperation and celebration. Films that have premiered at past Festivals encompass a broad range of international cinema. In 2007 the focus was on French cinema, featuring on opening night LA VIE EN ROSE, which won Marion Cotillard an Oscar® for Best Actress in 2008. Filmfest DC prides itself on creating diverse elements within its festival each year. This year the festival will once again present World View, a selection of recent cinema from around the globe including AMERICAN EAST (USA) starring Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Tony Shalhoub (Monk) and character actor Anthony Azizi (24, Lost); Global Rhythms, the Festival's popular music-on-film series, with features and documentaries from India, France, Italy, USA and Spain including Tribeca Film Festival's Audience Award winner WE ARE TOGETHER (United Kingdom) and FADOS (Spain) by Spain's master of the music documentary, Carlos Saura. Filmfest DC will also present discounted and free programs including film panels and screenings for children and senior citizens. Film themes spotlighted this year are New Latin American Cinema including eight films from six countries, and Politics & Film with a selection of international films looking at some of the central issues being debated in today's international political arena. Latin standouts include Uraguay's THE POPE'S TOILET and Mexico's SILENT LIGHT. In the political arena, a special screening and panel moderated by Director and Producer Sonia Nassery Cole, Founder and President of the Afghanistan World Foundation, is slated for THE BREAD WINNER, a moving documentary about a 9-year old Afghan boy. In addition, Filmfest DC presents the DC premiere of multi-award winning writer/director John Pilger's newest film, THE WAR ON DEMOCRACY, a gripping and powerful film shot both in Latin American and the USA. The festival will also include a local strand of films including THE MATADOR, the newest provocative and beautiful documentary from Washington's Nina Gilden-Seavey, and JAZZ IN THE DIAMOND DISTRICT, a fun filled feature written and directed by Duke Ellington School for the Performing Arts graduate and DC native, Lindsey Christian. ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: World View
Filmfest DC's Closing Night, Sunday, May 4, features the Washington, DC premiere of SHALL WE KISS (Un Baiser S'il Vous Plait), directed by France's Emmanuel Mouret. SHALL WE KISS is Mouret's fifth feature and follows his very charming romantic comedy CHANGE OF ADDRESS (2006). Closing Night is sponsored by the Embassy of France. The final festival slate including descriptions and confirmed talent will be released by April 1 with updates as needed. Interviews are available with the directors and producers of some of this year's films. For more information, please contact Joia Jefferson Nuri 240-603-7905; inthepubliceye@starpower.net Screeners for festival review purposes are available by contacting Joia Jefferson Nuri at 240-603-7905 or inthepubliceye@starpower.net. Filmfest DC would like to thank the Embassy of Australia, Embassy of Brazil, Embassy of France, Embassy of Spain, and the Inter-American Development Bank. A special thank you also to the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Major Filmfest DC sponsors include: The National Endowment for the Arts, Mayor's Office of Motion Picture and Television Development and METRO. The Filmfest DC public information line is 202-628-FILM and its web site is www.filmfestdc.org. Advance tickets go on sale April 1. Tickets for most screenings are $10.00 each and can be purchased in advance at www.tickets.com or by calling 1-800-955-5566.Tickets may be purchased online at www.filmfestdc.org VENUES:
A complete list of films and events will be available early April at: www.filmfestdc.org Press Releases
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