Las Vegas' largest, most successful and most glamorous film festival returns for its seventh year, with big-name stars, national and world premieres and parties galore, and we're not just saying that because Robin Greenspun (as in Greenspun Media Group, which owns this publication) is the president. We really mean it!
Aside from the hidden gems film festivals always offer, look for world premieres, including the long-awaited sequel from zombie king George A. Romero, Land of the Dead, and the year's most talked-about documentaries: The Aristocrats, Murderball, Mad Hot Ballroom and Rize. Get an inside look at the nuts, cogs and bolts of moviemaking at this year's writers panel, with guests Joe Eszterhas (Showgirls), Amy Holden Jones (Indecent Proposal) and Ted Griffin (the original Ocean's Eleven). And there's no excuse (OK, except for it becoming sold-out) for missing Miranda July's Me and You and Everyone We Know, winner of four awards at Cannes and one for originality of vision at Sundance.
Festival screenings are at Brenden Theatres in the Palms. Passes are the best way to catch the excitement, and are available ranging from $100 to $500, depending on how many films and parties you want to attend. Local student passes also are available for $50. Passes are available online at
www.cinevegas.com. Single screening tickets will be available for $10 each, and can be purchased online or at the theater.
Show up at least 15 minutes before the films start. Theaters can fill up quickly, and you don't want to run the risk of missing your movie. Pass-holders and those with advance tickets will be admitted first.
And if you miss any of the films on their first screening, be sure to check out the Weekly CineVegas blog at
http://lvweeklycinevegas.blogspot.com for the latest in movie reviews before they hit print. You'll be ahead of the curve and amaze your friends!