The Sedona International Film Festival
15 Years and Counting

As we have every year since 2004, Sedona Monthly brings you a preview of the Sedona International Film Festival & Workshop, taking place Feb. 24 - Mar. 1. We have exclusive interviews with filmmakers; actors; a film historian and an animator. Find out how to score tickets to the hottest movies and preview some of the festival’s most talked about films. Hollywood has nothing on Red Rock Country!

BY ERIKA AYN FINCH

For the 15th anniversary of the Sedona International Film Festival & Workshop filmmakers from around the world submitted 900 movies for consideration – 135 will be shown over six days (and a preview night Feb. 23). That number isn’t anything unusual. What is a bit out of the ordinary is the number of foreign films submitted – 18 countries will be represented this year.

“The foreign films are part of the shrapnel from last year’s writer’s strike,” says Patrick Schweiss, executive director. Several filmmakers from previous festivals return this year, which is a
testament, says Pat, to SIFF’s growing and glowing reputation.
“It’s going to be a really exciting year.”

It’s no secret getting tickets for last year’s Sedona International Film Festival & Workshop was a challenge – when all was said and done executive director Patrick Schweiss and his team immediately took action to make this year’s ticketing process run smoother. In early February Platinum “All Access” and Gold Priority pass holders will be able to reserve tickets online at www.sedonafilmfestival.com; two weeks prior to the start of the festival those who purchase the 20- or ten-ticket packages will be able to reserve their movies online, and, finally, and perhaps most significantly, anyone who wants to buy individual tickets can make their purchases beginning one week before the start of the festival. This means festival goers no longer have to stand in long lines at Harkins only to find their movie is sold out – the Website will be updated in real time so it will be easy to determine whether or not there are still seats left for your screening.

“Everyone will be able to buy their tickets in advance and we highly recommend they do,” says Pat. “We’ve also enhanced our waiting list procedures so, if you’re really patient and willing to wait, we’ll do everything we can to get you into a show, even if it’s sold out.”

Pat says SIFF will also utilize Sedona Red Rock High School as a second venue, showing high profile films in the evenings. Films that sell out quickly will be shown again at the high school to accommodate as many film lovers as possible. In addition to high demand for tickets, last year the festival also contended with less seats in each theater after Harkins Theatres Sedona 6 replaced worn out theater seats with plush, albeit fewer, seats. It’s all part of growing, says Pat. This year the festival has been expanded to six full days but the number of films remains the same: Approximately 35 features, 35 documentaries and 60 shorts. Last year more than 7,000 people attended the festival.

Gone is the large tent from previous festivals – the empty building space next to Harkins will serve as the Pavilion with a private Green Room for filmmakers. Also new in 2009, SIFF’s popular “Evening at the Academy Awards” fund-raiser will take place at Harkins in theaters one and two on Sunday, Feb. 22. Tickets are $50 per person and go on sale the end of January through SIFF’s Website and office (1789 W. Hwy 89A in West Sedona; 928-282-1177).

Pat says the festival will continue to grow – in the next five to ten years he expects it to turn into a multi-week event, which will allow more filmmakers to come to town and program expansion. But Pat cautions the Sedona International Film Festival will never turn into Sundance.

“We want smart growth – the festival will always maintain its small town charm,” he says. “For our audience, the festival isn’t about seeing and being seen, nor is it about celebrity, but it is about the filmmakers and the movies.”

A Selection of This Year’s Hottest Tickets

American Outrage
Directed by George and Beth Gage

Documentary about Carrie and Mary Dann, elderly Western Shoshone sisters who live and ranch in north central Nevada due to the 1863 Treaty of Ruby Valley. In 1974, the U.S. sued the Dann sisters for trespassing on United States Public Land without a permit (USA).

Blind Ambition
Starring Deep Katdare, Gulshan Grover, Christopher Atkins, Vanessa Angel, Soren Bowie, May Victor
Directed by Bala Rajasekharuni

Set in small town USA, Sapna, a fun-loving teenager, aspires to run a marathon as a tribute to the memory of her late mother despite the fact that Sapna’s legally blind (USA).

Children of All Ages
Directed by Brent Pierson and Scott Galloway

This three-ringed documentary showcases the most storied entertainment form in American history: the circus. Ring 1 is Sailor Circus, the longest running children's circus in the country. Ring 2 is the world's largest miniature circus and Ring 3 is a conversation with the greatest living circus performers ever to work under the Big Top (USA).

Detached
Starring Kris Lezetc, Mieke Buchan, Ryan McGee, Manny Montana, Andrew Hamrick, Melissa Santos
Directed by Chris Bessounian and Tianna Langham

Paranoia grips affluent young mortgage broker Chadh Campbell when a bizarre stream of anonymous holiday cards start turning up all over his life and Hollywood home.
As the clues continue to mount, denial of the culprit is no longer an option, pushing Chadh to face the consequences of a grave set of decisions he once made (USA).

Forgiveness
Starring Itay Tiran, Clara Khoury, Moni Moshonov, Makram Khoury, Tamara Mansour, Michael Sarne
Directed by Udi Aloni

David, a young American-Israeli, returns to Israel to join the army, only to find himself in a catatonic state after accidentally shooting a Palestinian girl while on patrol. He returns to New York under his father's care, believing that his horrific past is behind him, until his love for a Palestinian woman reopens old wounds (Israel/USA).

The SCHEDULE

(Subject to change; see www.sedonafilmfestival.com)

Sun., Feb. 22, 2009
“An Evening at the Academy Awards” kick-off to the film festival

Mon., Feb. 23, 2009
Preview nights at Harkins Sedona 6; films and celebrity guests to be announced

Tues., Feb. 24, 2009
Official screenings begin at Harkins Sedona 6. Tribute to Jane Seymour and James Keach, both in attendance; opening night party at Reds

Wed., Feb. 25, 2009
Screenings continue at Harkins Sedona 6; Festival Pavilion opens; Classic Series: Robert Osborne hosts Singin’ in the Rain

Additional Event
Filmmaking software demonstration: budgeting, screenwriting, editing, and more

Evening Event
Opening night film and filmmaker reception at the Festival Pavilion, sponsored by Sedona Film Office/Sedona Chamber of Commerce

Thurs., Feb. 26, 2009
Screenings continue at Harkins Sedona 6

Additional Events
Documentary workshop, plus filmmaker panel discussions; Classic Series: Robert Osborne hosts The Greatest Show on Earth; evening event for Festival Filmmakers: party at Troia’s Pizza Pasta Amoré

Fri., Feb. 27, 2009
Screenings continue at Harkins Sedona 6; documentary workshop, plus filmmaker panel discussions; Classic Series: Robert Osborne hosts Notorious; Touching Home screenings with celebrity honorees

Evening Event
“Cast Party” Gala and Honoree Tribute at Hilton Sedona. Celebrity honorees to be announced

Sat., Feb. 28, 2009
Screenings continue at Harkins Sedona 6; expanded screenings and special premiere events at Sedona Red Rock H.S.; animation workshop and panel discussions with Oscar winner John Canemaker; plus film workshops, celebrity chats and panel discussions in the Festival Pavilion

Evening Event
Play the Game screenings with celebrity honorees; party for the filmmakers and panelists followed by dancing at the Festival Pavilion

Sun., March 1, 2009
Screenings continue at Harkins Sedona 6

Morning Event
Awards Brunch for filmmakers, panelists, and guests at L’Auberge de Sedona. Audience Choice, Director’s Choice, and Excellence in Filmmaking awards announced

Additional Events
Expanded screenings and special premiere events at Sedona Red Rock H.S.; “Festival Favorites” and award-winner screenings take place all afternoon and evening

Evening Event
Closing Night Film: Special premiere presentation to end the film festival; dinner follows
at Reds Restaurant

TICKET PACKAGES
Platinum “All Access” Priority Pass: $600
Gold Priority Pass: $350
20-Ticket Package: $190
10-Ticket Package: $95; Full-time Students: $75
Individual Tickets: $10; $8 for Film Sedona Members
For passes and ticket packages call 928-282-1177 or visit www.sedonafilmfestival.com

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