It may not be Sundance or Cannes, but Scottsdale is making waves in the Arizona film scene with its fourth annual Scottsdale International Film Festival.
Featuring 41 films, including eight student shorts and two Miramax studio features, the Scottsdale International Film Festival runs Friday through Tuesday. All films will play at Harkins Camelview 5, 7001 E. Highland Ave.
Festival Director Amy Ettinger believes the event has done a lot of growing.
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"It has quite expanded over the previous years," Ettinger said.
The films are chosen by a group of film experts in Phoenix, sent over from the Toronto Film Festival or submitted by individuals, in the case of the student films.
Student films were submitted from Arizona, California, Virginia, Minnesota and New York. They will be judged for awards and cash prizes.
Although Ettinger admits Scottsdale doesn't have the pull of other well-known festivals, she believes it is important for the community.
"I'd like it to be more important, but it's more important that people in the community want a sense of thrilling events to look forward to every year," Ettinger said.
The festival will begin with the opening night gala showing "Red Roses & Petrol" at 7:45. Director Tasman Simon Hoffs will be in person to present his film about an Irish family's scars and secrets. The film stars Malcolm McDowell ("A Clockwork Orange"), Susan Lynch ("Waking Ned Devine") and Heather Juergensen ("Kissing Jessica Stein").
Closing night, Tuesday, will feature Shona Auerbach's film "Dear Frankie." Hailing from Scotland, the film is a humorous and heartfelt tale about a mother and her son who are constantly on the go. The film won the Audience Award for Best International Feature from the Los Angeles IFP/West Film Festival.
Both the opening and closing night parties will be held at Z'Tejas Southwestern Grill, 7014 E. Camelback Road, from 10 p.m. to midnight.
Ettinger's personal suggestion for audiences is "Sons of Provo," directed by Will Swenson, which she describes as a Mormon mockumentary made by the Mormons.
"I've watched it four times, and I can't stop laughing. It's the most surprising film in the festival," Ettinger said.
"Sons of Provo" will play Saturday at 2:35 p.m. and will feature an introduction by the cast with a question-and-answer session following the film.
The advanced ticket sale ends today at 5 p.m. All tickets can be ordered by calling the Scottsdale Center of Arts box office at 480-994-ARTS (2787).
Regular tickets are $10 and opening and closing night are $12 each. Student tickets can be purchased at the door with a student ID for $8.
The Build-a-5 Pass can be purchased in advance for $45, which allows the attendee to choose a five-film package. The VIP Full Festival package is $175.
Tickets purchased after today must be bought at Harkins Camelview 5.