The 12th Annual Phoenix Film Festival is
preparing a packed schedule poised to delight film fans during the event held
at The Scottsdale Harkins 101 Theaters from March 29th through April
5th. The weeklong event continues to grow and maintains the increasing
fan momentum of past years. What started in 2000 as a small showcase for local
independent filmmakers and enthusiasts has developed into a mainstay for the
Arizona film community, garnering accolades from across the country as one of
the best film festivals to attend. The festival continues to demonstrate development
with each year, from the calculated film selections that offer something for
every film taste, to the added amenities of educational seminars and panel
discussions with filmmakers and industry veterans. There is always something to
be doing at this festival.
This year at the festival audiences will have varying
selections of independent films to choose from.
The recently campaigned film Bully,
a documentary about the bullying issue in America, will be screened for the
first time in Arizona. Bully has been
making media waves since being backed by celebrities, politicians, and
anti-bullying organizations in regard to the MPAA’s restrictive rating for the
film. The opening night film, Robot and
Frank, starring Frank Langella, Susan Sarandon, and Liv Tyler was a
Sundance Film Festival hit. However, this is also a competitive festival, and
there are always noteworthy films in the competition selections as well, many
of which have never been screened before public audiences. Take a moment as
well to watch the budding potential of some young filmmakers in the short film showcase;
these films are impressive considering the resources that are available for
these filmmakers.
If this isn’t enough for you yet, The International Horror
and Sci-Fi Film Festival will also happen at the same time, in the same
location, as the Phoenix Film Festival. Festival Director Andrea Beesley has
organized an amazing line-up of genre films to screen. The Theater Bizarre and
Monster Brawl will definitely bring a unique atmosphere to the festival, not to
mention an interesting combination for film fans. When discussing the grouping of
these two events Beesley explains, “The combination of the two Festivals should make for a more
enjoyable experience for fans. The space might not be as intimate, but there is
a wealth of more films to explore and the Party Pavilion is full of really
interesting programming. It should make the event more seamless and enjoyable.”
What more could a film fan ask for…maybe a never-ending bucket of popcorn?
Phoenix Film Festival
and International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Festival
- Scottsdale Harkins 101
- March 29th – April 5th
- Festival Passes and Schedules available at www.phoenixfilmfestival.com
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