Take it from Sundance veterans like us: No matter how good your intentions, you won't be able to catch that many flicks at the Park City festival. Between traffic, parties, "gifting lounges," ticket lines, velvet ropes, celeb spotting and art gawking, you'll just run out of time.
Don't beat yourself up: No one else is going to see movies either. But if you do want to catch a film at the, uh, film festival, we'd suggest these five off the recently released line up:]]>
Film buffs should slather on the sunblock for a trip next month to the Bahamas International Film Festival, taking place in and around Nassau December 4-11. In its 5th year, the festival celebrates both international films and Bahamian works. A nice perk in this economy? Tickets to individual showings are just $5.
This year Laurence Fishburne will receive the Career Achievement Award and Anna Faris will be honored with the festival's Rising Star Tribute. Films scheduled to be screened include "Appasionata," a German short made up of moments in which soldiers try to escape the demons of war, "Artists of the Bahamas," a documentary film that explores the lives and artistic works of eleven of the seminal visual artists of the Bahamas, and "The Deep," based on a poem written by Eric Best for his daughter while he was sailing alone from Hawaii to San Francisco.
Spring for the "Producer" package to the festival ($2,500) and you'll get passes for four to about everything including the Chopard VIP Opening Reception, Gala Celebration, Career Achievement Tribute Ceremony, backstage events and Closing Ceremony. Hotel options offering deals with the festival in Nassau abound at the British Colonial Hilton Nassau ($150 a night), Comfort Suites Paradise Island ($125 a night) or Bay View Suites ($135 a night).
Related Stories:
· Datebook: Nassau, The Bahamas [NYT]
· Bahamas International Film Festival [Official Site]
[Photo of the 2007 fest: BIFF]]]>
Finally, a film festival where the weather and location compete with the films for top billing. Celebrating its third year, the Riviera Maya Underground Film Festival will run October 15-19. Although the festival is young, organizers hope the beautiful setting of Playa del Carmen will help attract the masses.
More tha 250 short films will be on display as the festival seeks to highlight both Mexican and international filmmakers. Composer Leonardo Heiblum who has scored films such as "Maria Full of Grace," and "Maldonald's Miracle," will be on hand to answer questions and to encourage those who are looking to make a name for themselves in movie music.]]>
Nothing eases tension during times of turmoil like an escape to a dark theater: The Great Depression of the 1930s also saw the Golden Age of Film. And nowadays, what better way is there to avoid thinking about your vaporized stocks then repeated viewings of "Step Up 2"? In Bangkok, cinophiles will convene to screen 78 films, Thai and otherwise, at this year's Bangkok International Film Festival.
Fantasy dominates the schedule. Famed Thai director Nonzee Nimibutr's film opened the festival: "Queen of Lankasuka," originally called "Queens of Pattani," includes sea creatures, pirates, magic and martial arts. No room for thoughts of an ousted prime minister left!
The event runs through September 30 and also includes workshops and seminars.
Related Stories:
· Bangkok International Film Festival [Official Site]
· Bangkok Travel coverage [Jaunted]]]>
We're less than a month away from the Austin Film Festival, which kicks things off on October 16 and runs through October 23. Besides the usual offerings of first-run films and hits from other festivals, the AFF also offers a conference in the days leading up to the main event.
Directors, screenwriters and producers alike will take part in discussion panels about the filmmaking process and maybe even give you the opportunity to meet someone that can help you get your foot in the door.]]>
The film festivals keep on rolling in. In fact, the Vancouver International Film Festival is only about a week away: It starts September 25 and runs through October 10.
Now in its 27th year, the festival is set to show more than 300 films from more than 60 countries. Organizers were certainly overwhelmed this year, as the festival received over 150,000 admissions, making it one of the largest to take place in North America.
The VIFF seeks to stand out from the rest by screening the largest number of East Asian films outside that region. Also, it has one of the largest collections of Canadian films in the world as well as a documentary program called Nonfiction Features.]]>
Cashing in on the leaf-peepers headed to the Hudson Valley and Catskills in the fall, the town of Woodstock, New York, offers the 2008 Woodstock Film Festival from October 1 to 5.
This year's "fiercely independent" festival is offering up 43 premiers, including 10 world premiers. This year's 2008 honorary maverick award will go to filmmaker Kevin Smith--and his film, "Zack and Miri Make a Porno," will close the festival.]]>