The Phoenix Film Festival is offering movie lovers the opportunity to celebrate and honor the art of film with a full week of festivities that begins Thursday.
The festival will be held at the Harkins Scottsdale 101 Theatre and will continue until April 10. Tickets may be purchased at the Phoenix Film Festival Web site or at the event, and students will be able to buy discounted tickets for the various kinds of movie passes offered.
"The festival is a non-stop movie party," said Chris LaMont, co-founder and executive director of the Phoenix Film Festival.
Along with numerous movies premiering throughout the week, the festival will also feature live bands, seminars, workshops, awards and much more.
"It's not just about the movies," LaMont said. "It's also about having a great time."
The festival was primarily founded to give young, aspiring filmmakers a chance to network and demonstrate their passion to an extensive audience, LaMont said.
"This festival was basically created for college students," LaMont said.
In the past, students who grew up in Arizona with an interest in film never really had an opportunity to show their work, LaMont said.
The festival offers a diverse selection of film categories including documentary, foreign, short, family, independent, feature and others.
With more than 900 films submitted by applicants from around the world, the Phoenix Film Festival screening panel has narrowed the long list down to 130 films that will engage audiences emotionally and intellectually, LaMont said.
Along with the assortment of movies to choose from, the festival will also include many educational activities for those who want to learn more about filmmaking.
Going into its eighth year, the Phoenix Film Festival has become the largest film festival in Arizona, and was ranked among the top 20 film festivals by "Moviemaker Magazine."
Unlike the typical movie-watching experience, the festival allows for a more intimate setting by providing viewers with a "filmmaker element." Those who attend the festival will be able to meet the creators of the films and acquire a thorough understanding of their work, LaMont said.
In an effort to advance the event and amplify the participants' experience, a seventh movie screen has been added.
"We are constantly trying to grow," LaMont said. "We want to expose audiences to as many movies as we can."
If you go...
What: Phoenix Film Festival
When: Thursday, April 3 until Thursday, April 10
Where: Harkins Scottsdale 101
7000 E. Mayo Blvd.
Phoenix
For more information: 602-955-6444
