Attention, film buffs: It's that time of year when Phoenix gets to showcase aspiring filmmakers and everyday Phoenicians can pretend to be a part of the glitterati, rubbing elbows with celebrities, producers, and directors.
The 13th Annual Phoenix Film Festival will screen more than 150 feature films, documentaries, and shorts. The festival is a couple of weeks away, and we've got all the information you need to attend.
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The Basics: The eight-day festival takes place at its usual haunt, Harkins Scottsdale 101, located off Scottsdale Road and Loop 101. Between the parties, Q&A sessions and film screenings, there is plenty to do, so take notes.
Tickets: There are many ticket options available, ranging from individual screening tickets up to the Platinum Pass, but luckily for anybody pressed for cash, the events at the Party Pavilion are free. For more information on tickets to the film screenings, see www.phoenixfilmfestival.com.
The Film Festival Gala: On its opening night, Thursday, April 4, the festival will hold a gala where the Phoenix Film Visionary Award will be handed out to an important contributor to the community. There also will be a cocktail party and the Celebration of the Art of Food, at the Party Pavillion. There will be more than 20 restaurants providing snacks, and after the cocktail party, a premiere film screening will take place at Cine Capri.
Screenings: Film screenings begin at 9 a.m. for the public on Friday. The festival is holding an Industry Night from 5 to 10 p.m. to provide attendees the opportunity to network and exchange business cards with everyone involved in the Arizona film industry.
Main Schedule: Saturday, April 6 brings the festival's special Kids' Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is free, and an opportunity for children ages 5 to 12 to experience the festival in kid-friendly atmosphere. There will be various hands-on activities as well as the chance to create and act out their own film shorts and choose the musical soundtrack to a film. Film screenings also begin at 9 a.m for the public.
At 1 p.m. Sunday, April 7, Phoenix Comic-Con representatives will be at the festival showcasing Comic-Con's most popular artists and vendors. Sunday is the last night for the Party Pavilion, and the winner of the Copper Wing Award will be announced.
Monday through Sunday features the festival's Middle/High School Program during the day, which offers workshops on screenplay writing, acting for the camera, and producing and directing. Film screenings begin at 5 p.m. those days, with a major film screened for the final night at 7:30.
The Stars: Some of the actors scheduled to attend include D.B. Sweeney, Melora Walters and Natalie Imbruglia, from the film Underdogs.
In addition, Peter Block, from the Saw franchise, Meg Foster, from They Live, and from Play Dead. Teller -- better known as half of the magician duo Penn and Teller -- will also be attending.
For more information, see the Phoenix Film Festival's website.
