FilmFest Kansas City 2007
Fourteenth Annual FilmFest – Movie Magic, Kansas City Style!
October 19-25, 2007

FilmFest Kansas City will once again be unspooling more than 35 films from around the world at the Screenland Theatre October 19^th through the 25^th. This year's festival includes a number of film premiers from around the world as well as American independent productions.

The festival is once again partnering with several local, yet international organizations. For the third year, the relationship with the Sister City Association of Kansas City, Missouri will be bringing into FilmFest a variety of films from various countries around the world that share the Sister City tie with Kansas City. The Alliance Française continues its longtime partnership, also bringing several French titles to the table. Czech & Slovak Club of Kansas City will also be sponsoring an outstanding film as well.

Please be aware the FilmFest program could take several minutes to download.

à CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE 2007 FILMFEST PROGRAM & FILM LIST IN .pdf

à CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE 2007 REEL SPIRIT PROGRAM & FILM LIST IN .pdf

2007 FilmFest Kansas City is made possible by financial and in-kind contributions from:

· Screenland Theatre

· Film Society of Greater Kansas City

· Neighborhood Tourism & Development Foundation (NTDF)

· Hotel Phillips

· Women In Film

· Buttonwood Financial Group, LLC

· Alliance Français

· Sister City Association of Kansas City, MO (SCAKC)

· UMKC Foreign Languages & Literatures

· Media Members: Channel 41 TV, MIX 93.3, Q104, KFKF, Star 102 and Leader Limo.

· UMKC Communications Studies/Film and Media Art

· Czech and Slovak Club of Greater Kansas City

· Women of the Motion Picture Industry (WOMPI)

· Slovenia Club of Kansas City

· Reel Spirit

Films for 2007 FilmFest (as of 10-17-07) include:

THE AURA

(2005)…134 minutes…Argentina/France/Spain…Spanish…Directed by Fabian Bielinsky. Crime-Drama-Thriller. A favorite of the Argentinian Film Critics Assoc.

A quiet, cynic taxidermist, who suffers epilepsy attacks, is obsessed with committing the perfect crime. He claims that the cops are too stupid to find out about it when it's well executed, and that the robbers are too stupid to execute it the right way; and that he could do it himself relying on his photographic memory and his strategic planning skills. After he is invited on a hunting trip away from his home, an accident gives him the chance of his life: the possibility to commit the perfect crime he has been waiting for. (9:00 Tues Oct 23) (12:30 Thur Oct 25)

BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU’RE DEAD

(2007)…117 minutes…USA…English…Directed by Sidney Lumet. Crime-Drama-Thriller. Needing extra cash, two brothers conspire to pull off the perfect, victimless crime; the robbery of their parents’ jewelry store. No guns, no violence, no problem. No one was supposed to get hurt, but when an accomplice ignores the rules and crosses the line, his actions trigger a series of events that sends them, their father and one brother's wife hurtling towards a shattering climax. (7:00 Sat Oct 20) (4:45 Tues Oct 23)

BULLETS MISS THE FOOL

Slovenia…. Jožek and Kiti, full of hope for better prospects and employment, hand in hand leave native Prekmurje in order to establish a decent family life in the city of Ljubljana. In answer to a newspaper advert they rent a room and move in with a bohemian couple Aleks and Epifani. Aleks is a failed musician, up to his ears in debt. His former partners in an infamous money scam Catch the Cash turned their wasted financial inputs into debts. The relation between the two couples is becoming more and more tense and their mutual existence seems unbearable. Finally a misfortune makes them join their forces. The story concentrates on lives of insignificant, idiosyncratic and uninventive individuals stuck in hopeless situations: on those, who have come to the city in search for happiness and those from the city, who have already run out of luck. Film introduces several genres without digressing from the main subject. Comic inserts match the features of the main characters, carnal and at the same time metaphysical. Aleks's orgasm is beyond the mere pornographic copulation with Epifani and the final settlement is enough ironic and satirical not to overstep the boundaries of credibility in the name of symbolism. Sponsored by the Czech and Slovak Club of Greater Kansas City

(7:00 Wed Oct 24)

THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY

(2007)…112 minutes…France…French with English subtitles…Directed by Julian Schnabel (won Best Director at 2007 Cannes Film Festival.) Biography/Drama. The remarkable true story of Jean-Dominique Bauby (Mathieu Amalric), a successful and charismatic editor-in-chief of French Elle, who believes he is living his life to its absolute fullest when a sudden stroke leaves him in a life-altered state. While the physical challenges of Bauby's fate leave him with little hope for the future, he begins to discover how his life's passions, his rich memories and his newfound imagination can help him achieve a life without boundaries. Sponsored by Miramax Pictures. (7:00 Fri Oct 19)

DOC FEAST

WILLIE FRANCIS MUST DIE AGAIN? (2006)…52 minutes…USA…English… Directed and Written by Allan Durand. Documentary/Crime. The true story of Willie Francis, a sixteen year-old African American with no prior record who was sentenced to the electric chair in 1946... and survived. For two years after he became national news and his case forced the nation to take a hard look at its views on capital punishment. Ultimately, the Supreme Court ruled against Willie, and he went to the electric chair again in 1948. A LAWYER WALKS INTO A BAR. (2007)…USA…English… Directed by Eric Chaikin. Greetings again from the darkness. Very interesting, but rather odd documentary from Eric Chaikin. Odd because there is no obvious agenda other than providing an expose on the stress caused by the preparation for the bar exam. The film could easily serve as a character study in how varying personalities react to stress and how the legal profession views itself. The film follows the paths of six very different individuals as they spend the 10 weeks prior to the exam preparing for the make-or-break moment. These individuals range from recent law school grads to a really nice guy on his third attempt to an artsy, near hysterical young lady to a guilt-ridden mom to a never-say-die older gentleman on his 41st attempt. As a viewer, we get enough of each of them to feel their pain and understand how they deal with the pressure. Silently, we find ourselves pulling for some ... and the others, not so much. Filmmakers will attend. (5:00 Sat Oct 20)

FLANDERS / Flandres

(2006)…91 minutes…France…French…Directed & Written by Bruno Dumont. Film won 2007 Jury Special Diploma for Best Film at Yerevan International Film Festival. Flandres is, in short, about a guy who does not know if he loves a girl. He leaves to war, and there he rapes, kills, witnesses killing, leaves behind a fellow soldier in order to save himself, gets lost, and is himself nearly killed in a few situations. His life is spared not by any of his good deeds, for there are few, instead his life is spared by none other than blind luck. He is not special. He is just lucky. And after having returned home to his little simple life in the French countryside, unable to verbalize this experiences to Barbe, the only words he is able to conjure up, after some difficulty, is I love you. Sponsored by the Alliance Francaise de Kansas City.

(3:00 Fri Oct 19) (5:00 Mon Oct 22)

GABRIELLE

(2005)…90 minutes…Germany/France/Italy…French…Directed and co-written by Patrice Chereau. This Drama-Thriller stars Isabelle Huppert. The day after giving an opulent dinner party a rich, smug gentleman in 1890's Paris is devastated when his wife announces that she's left him for someone else. He is beside himself. But a few hours later, she reappears. She has changed her mind and reveals to him her intended lover’s name. He doesn't take her return at all well. Then, another dinner party is given with the other man invited and they began to quarrel in front of everybody. The film’s visual beauty of its cinematography in contrast to the devastating psychological and emotional pain of its characters, brilliantly portrayed by Isabelle Huppert and Pascal Gregory. has rarely been achieved in film, a joy to experience a work of art that provides intense emotion, intelligent food for thought and visual nurturance. Sponsored by the Alliance Francaise de Kansas City and Cook Composites and Polymers. (5:15 Wed Oct 24)

GRACE IS GONE
(2007) ... 85 minutes ... USA ... English ... Directed / Writen by James C. Strouse. A small, independent film in which Cusack plays a man whose wife, Grace, is killed in service in Iraq. Filming wrapped last month; the movie’s producers — who include Cusack — will be looking for a distributor or film festival opportunities. Cusack’s character, Stanley, delays telling his two daughters about their mother’s death, instead taking them on a road trip while the former military man sorts out his complicated feelings about the war. Sponsored by the Weinstein Company. (1:00 Sat Oct 20)

GOT BREAST?

Stacey Tolbert & Annie Walsh, Co-Directors, will be in attendance. This film is an interesting look at women’s own perception of their breasts as they have been affected from a sociological and personal point of view. Featuring stories from various women in all walks of life. (Nudity). Sponsored by Women In Film (5:00 Sat Oct 20)

HEADING SOUTH / Vers Le sud

(2005)…108 minutes…Framce/Canada…French/English…Directed and Co-written by Laurent Cantet. Drama. Three North American female tourists have their eyes opened while visiting poverty-stricken and dangerous Haiti, late 1970’s. Sea, sex and sun for the three, on the wrong side of forty or fifty-odd, going through an enchanted interlude. Lonely, forsaken, neglected by men in their native countries, they can indulge here in carnal exultation without shame, thanks to handsome local young men they pay a few dollars. In this second garden of Eden they don't care too much about the neighboring poverty nor about Baby Doc's violent dictatorship. The trouble is that that two of the three women have sights on a single man, Legba. And Legba is beginning to be fed up with being a stud. Sponsored by the Alliance Francaise de Kansas City and Cook Composites and Polymers. (1:00 Wed Oct 24)

IN THE PIT / En el hoyo

(2006)…84 minutes…Mexico…Spanish…Directed & Written by Juan Carlos Rulfo. Won Best Feature Length Documentary at the Ariel Awards Mexico. This documentary follows the lives of a number of road-workers during the construction of a gargantuan bridge in Mexico City, the film follows a fairly loose narrative structure, but does what all good documentaries should do by helping us to understand why its subjects are the way they are. Rulfo offers us a mosaic of these people's lives, helping us to come to terms with the spiritual, political and psychological motivations behind their behavior. While they remain in many ways enigmatic, we are always connected to them because of Rulfo's skillful inclusion of humor and powerful visual sense. The last five minutes of this film is a must see! Sponsored by SCAKC – Guadalajara, Mexico

(1:00 Mon Oct 22)

KOLJA

(1996)…105 minutes…Czech Republic…Slovak/Czech/Russian… Directed by Jan Sverak. 1997 Academy Awards Oscar winner for Best Foreign Language Film. Franta Louka is a concert cellist in Soviet-occupied Czechoslovakia, a confirmed bachelor and a lady's man. Having lost his place in the state orchestra, he must make ends meet by playing at funerals and painting tombstones. But he has run up a large debt, and when his friend, the grave-digger Mr. Broz, suggests a scheme for making a lot of money by marrying a Russian woman so that she can get her Czech papers, he reluctantly agrees. She takes advantage of the situation to emigrate to West Germany, to her lover; and leaves her five-year-old son with his grandmother; when the grandmother dies, Kolja must come and live with his stepfather - Louka. The perfect grouch has met his match. A five-year-old boy named Kolja!. Sponsored by the Czech and Slovak Club of Greater Kansas City (5:30 Sun Oct 21)

LENEXA, 1 MILE

The film tells the story of five childhood friends during their last summer together in Lenexa before going to college. Their bond is tested when a disturbing secret comes to light and they are forced to set out on a quest to protect and redeem the reputation of one of their own - at whatever cost to their futures. In attendance will be the Director Jason Wiles and stars Jason Ritter, Michael Rooker, Tim Hensel Chris Klein and

Paul Wesley.  Note this screening is at 9:00. The 7:00 is a VIP screening for Film Commission. Sponsored by the Film Commission of Greater Kansas City. Special Benefit Screening $100 tickets. (7:00 Thur Oct 25)

Sponsored by the Film Commission of Greater Kansas City for FilmFest ticket holders. (9:00 Thur Oct 25)

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MY BEST FRIEND / Mon meilleur ami

(2006)…94 minutes…France…French…Directed and Co-written by Patrice Leconte. In this comedy, Catherine (Gayet), refuses to believe that her business partner, the unlikeable François (Auteuil), has a best friend, so she challenges him to set up an introduction. Scrambling to find someone willing to pose as his best pal, François enlists the services of a trivia-spouting, big-hearted cabbie named Bruno to play the part. Although Bruno's chatty, lowbrow ways grate against François's designer temperament, he covets the other man's easy way with people and convinces Bruno to teach him how to make friends and sets about learning the "three S's" - being sociable, smiling and sincere - though they don't come easy. Ultimately, François victory will depend on Bruno's naiveté in playing along, but…what's the cost of cheating at friendship? Sponsored by UMKC Dept. of Foreign Languages and Literature. (3:00 Thur Oct 25)

MORO NO BRASZIL

(2002)…105 minutes…Brazil/Germany/Finland…English/Portuguese… Directed and Co-written by Mika Kaurismaki. Documentary/Music. To most of us Brazilian music is "The girl from Ipanema" and some carnival samba. This wonderful documentary manages to take us through some of its unsung origins, tracing it back to the Indian and African roots so predominant in the country's Northeast. Music is the soul of Brazil, its unifying element and the only true element that connects the country's melting pot of races. Mika Kaurismäki decides to take us through the origin of the music in Brasil, through Forrò, Frevo, Samba through the eyes of the real Brazilian people that play the music and live with it their daily lives. We enter the favelas and dance with them. The filming is so sensitive and the camera shots so good one cannot help but feel the strong emotion the Brazilians themselves feel for their music. A masterpiece of a documentary!

(3:15 Wed Oct 24)

MY BROTHER IS AN ONLY CHILD

(2007)…100 minutes…Italy/France…Italian… Directed and Co-Written by Daniele Luchetti. Comedy-Crime-Drama. Based on the novel “Il fasciocomunista.” Two brothers come of age in a small Italian town in the 60‘s and 70’s. Simply put, a very good movie, especially for everyone who lived through those years, but this film could also appeal to a younger audience as some stories are just worth remembering (vs. the “let’s forget about it and move on towards modernity” approach.) You will appreciate the way it manages to recreate the social and political ‘atmosphere’. It is not the first flick to deal with these topics; personal relationships between the brothers and intriguing political evolution, but is well worth repeating. 2007 winner of David di Donatella Awards for Best Actor, Supporting Actress, Editing and Screenplay. (1:00 Sat Oct 20)

THE PIXAR STORY & RECYCLED LIFE

Marvelous Documentary about the fascinating Pixar Animation company as told by those who founded it and those who star in it’s pictures. Interviews include Tom Hanks, Steve Jobs, Diane Disney, Tim Allen and scores of other celebrities who have been a part of the industry changing pioneer company in the field of computer generated animation. Written and directed by Academy Award nominated film maker Leslie Iwerks, who will appear in person. In addition to the feature, there will be a screening of the director’s 2006 Academy Award nominated short documentary, “Recycled Life”. Also in attendance will be Leslie Iwerks’ producing partner, Mike Glad.  (3:00 Sun Oct 21) Hosted by Butch Rigby, Screenland Theatres.

PRIVATE FEARS IN PUBLIC PLACES / Coeurs

(2006)…120 minutes…France/Italy…French,English…Directed by Alain Resnais…Comedy-Drama-Romance. For six strangers in search of love, the City of Lights, Paris, can be a very lonely place…a middle-aged estate agent who thinks a colleague is sending messages in video tapes she loans him; his co-worker whose Bible is close at hand in times of stress; her late-night charge, who's an angry, nasty bedridden old man; his son, a patient bartender; the bartender's best patron, an ex-soldier who's lost his moorings while his fiancée looks for a large flat for them; and, the estate agent's much younger sister, who answers ads in the personal and waits in cafés with a red flower pinned on her jacket. Will any connect? Can open hearts trump fears? Sponsored by SCAKC - Metz, France. (4:45 Fri Oct 19) Sponsored by SCAKC – Metz, France (2:45 Mon Oct 22)

PRIVATE PROPERTY/Nue propriete

(2006)…95 minutes…France…English subtitles…Directed by Joachim Lafosse…Drama with comedic relief starring Isabelle Huppert, a brilliant actress who provides such a natural relief by her screen presence to glue audience's attention on her – always! The story is about a dysfunctional family; a divorced mother- played obviously by Isabelle; and her two sons – Thierry (ill-tempered) and Francios (sensitive) who live together and the special relationship they share. When the mother wants to sell the house to start a new life with her lover Jan (Kris Cuppens), Thierry is one who apposes the move and this results in dividing the family and a touching ending. Shower scene, some nudity. You’ll enjoy this one! Sponsored by UMKC Communications Studies/Film and Media Art. 1:00 Fri Oct 19)

REEL SPIRIT - WORKSHOP -“LIFE IS MARBELOUS”

(2007)… 45 minutes. Sidebar. Directed by Mike Wolfe. Documentary about the art of playing marbles. Featuring Kansas City resident Cathy Runyan-Svacina aka “The Marble Lady.” A film crew follows Cathy from city to city as she visits schools, etc. to introduce the children to the art and fun of playing a game of marbles. Attending: Mike Wolfe and Cathy Runyan-Svacina. (8:30 AM Sat Oct 20)

REEL SPIRIT –YOUNG FILMMAKERS SHOWCASE

(2007)…150 minutes… Sidebar. The young filmmakers will attend. This event will feature several award winning videos from the Reel Spirit Showcase for Young Filmmakers. The Reel Spirit Showcase was organized by three educators to offer an authentic premiere venue for student filmmakers in three divisions: Division I – grades 2/3, Division II – grades 4/5/6, Division III – grades 7/8. Young filmmakers from the Kansas City metro area and beyond submitted entries created during the school year in five categories: Broadcast News, Documentary, Drama/Comedy, Public Service Announcement and Animation / Claymation. These student-produced entries were judged by local media and video professionals, and we welcome the opportunity for these young filmmakers to exhibit their creative efforts at FilmFest Kansas City in the Screenland Theatre. (9:30 AM Sat. Oct. 20) Sponsored by Reel Spirit. Hosted by John Mertz – KCPT-TV

RIDING ALONE FOR THOUSANDS OF MILES / Qian Li zou dan qi

(2005)…107 minutes…Hong Kong/China/Japan…Mandarin/Japanese…Directed and Co-written by Yimou Zhang. Won 2007 Best Asian Film at the Hong Kong Film Awards. Drama. A Japanese father travels to China's Yunnan province in the place of his ailing son to film a famous folk-opera star. Takada, a Japanese fisherman has been estranged from his son for many years, but when the son is diagnosed with terminal cancer his daughter-in-law, Rie, summons him to the hospital. When his son refuses to see him, Rie gives him a videotape about the work his son was doing on a documentary film in a remote region of China's Yunnan province. Still troubled by the relationship, Takada decides to complete his son's work in part to develop an understanding of his son, and in part to do something for him. Once in China a series of obstacles and relationships bring him unexpectedly closer to both an understanding of himself and of his son. Sponsored by SCAKC – Kurashiki, Japan (3:00 Sat Oct 20) Sponsored by SCAKC – Kurashiki, Japan (4:45 Thurs Oct 25)

SANCTUARY: LISA GERRARD

(2006)…91 minutes…UK…English…Directed and Written by Clive Collier. Documentary. Music is a Place to take Refuge. It's a Sanctuary from Mediocrity and Boredom. It's Innocent and it's a Place you can loose yourself in Thoughts, Memories and Intricacies. Having achieved worldwide recognition with a Golden Globe award for her work with Hans Zimmer on the soundtrack for 'Gladiator', Lisa Gerrard's life and work has influenced and touched many people. From her beginnings with the 1980's group Dead Can Dance, through to her success as a Hollywood film composer and a solo artist, Lisa Gerrard's powerful vocal and musical style has captivated fans and film goers alike for the past twenty years. 'Sanctuary' contains music, performances, photographs and footage, and exclusive materials never seen or heard before. Sponsored by Buttonwood Financial Group, LLC (9:15 Sat Oct 20)

SCREAMING MASTERPIECE / Gargandi Snilld

(2005)…85 minutes…Iceland/Denmark/Netherlands…Icelandic and English…Directed and written by Ari Alexander Ergis Magnusson… Documentary / Music. The format is interviews interspersed with concert tapes or filmed performances cuts a wide swath across the Icelandic music scene. Folk, Norse, Punk, Rock and Rap are all covered. The musical heritage is described as a "combination of patriotism and adolescence", the result of living half-way between Europe and the United States and being descended from Vikings who stopped in Scotland for slaves and for Irish women "for DNA enrichment and poetry". Do see this movie! Just like in Hustle and Flow, it's hard not to leave the theater singing! (9:10 Fri Oct 19)

SHOWER
(1996)...92 minutes... China... Mandarin... Directed by Yang Zhang. Shenzhen businessman, Da Ming, goes home to Beijing when he thinks his father has died. He finds his father hard at work at the family’s bathhouse (the false message was a ruse of Da’s mentally- handicapped, exuberant brother, Er Ming, to get Da home). Da stays a couple days, observing his father being social director, marriage counselor, and dispute mediator for his customers and a boon companion to Er. Da is caught between worlds: the decaying district of his childhood and the booming south where he now lives with a wife who’s not met his family. When Da realizes his father’s health is failing and the district is slated for razing, he must take stock of family and future. Sponsored by SCAKC – Xi,an China (12:30 Tues Oct 23)

THE SOUND OF RIO / Brasileirinho-Grandes Encontros do Choro

(2005)…90 minutes…Brazil/Finland/Switzerland…Portuguese…Directed and Co-written by Mika Kaurismaki. Nominated 2007 Jussi Awards Best Documentary. The film introduces us Yamandu, a brilliant choro music guitarist. The movie shows us how relaxed the Brazilian people are and how much they love their music. The scene in the theater where the whole audience is singing (with Yamandu), is a really chilling scene, in a highly positive way! Highlights of interest; the viewpoint on their music from the older musicians as well as the younger generation. Amazing music! (9:10 Mon Oct 22)

TAKE MY EYES / Te Doy Mis Ojos

(2003)…109 Minutes…Spain…Spanish with English subtitles…Directed and written by Iciar Bollain….One winter night, Pilar runs away from home, taking only a few belongings and her son, Juan. Antonio soon sets out to look for her, for, as he says, “Pilar is his sunshine,” and what’s more, “She gave him her eyes…” From beginning to end this movie is a sea of tension, leaving the spectators breathing heavily in awe. It is a must-see movie, a winner of 38 awards including Best Film, Best Actor(s) and Best Director awards at festivals all over the world. Sponsored by SCAKC – Seville, Spain (7:00 Mon Oct 22)

THREE MOTHERS / Shalosh Ima’ot

(2006)…106 minutes…Israel…French/Arabic/Hebrew…Directed and Co-written by Dina Zvi-Riklis. Drama. Rose, Flora and Yasmin were born triplets sixty something years ago in Alexandria, Egypt. Their well-off parents gave them names of flowers, and King Farouk of Egypt gave them his blessing. Today, in Israel, they live together in an apartment without men and without children. Flora has just retired from her work as a midwife, Yasmin awaits a kidney transplant, and Rose, once a successful singer, is wrapped in silence since the death of her husband. One after the other, the three sisters come to "This is your life," a place where people recount their memoirs, in order to tell their life story to Rucha (Rachel), Rose's only daughter, and talk about their symbiotic relationship. Hidden ghosts will slowly appear, forcing the three sisters to confront the secrets and lies, and seek forgiveness. Sponsored by SCAKC – Ramla, Israel. (7:00 Tues Oct 23)

TIMES AND WINDS / Bes vakit

(2006)…111 minutes…Turkey…Turkish…Directed and Written by Reha Erdem. Drama. The movies takes place in a small, poor village leaning over high rocky mountains, facing the immense sea, flanked by olive yards. Villagers are simple and diligent people who struggle to cope with a harsh nature. They earn their living, on a daily survival basis, out of the earth and of a few animals they feed. Just like the animals and trees around them, they have the knowledge of their temporary existence, hence a sober resignation prevails. They live according to the rhythm of the earth, air and water, day and night and seasons. The daily time is divided into five parts by the sound of the call to prayer. Every day, all human events are lived through within these five time slices. Three pre-teens and how they grow up, oscillating between rage and guilt, are the prominent characters in this movie of five times. (2:30 Tues Oct 23)

THE WALKER

(2007)…108 minutes…USA/UK…English…Directed and Written by Paul Shrader. This drama is a cunning web of intrigue and subtle hints as to the next twist with a believable plot and a very believable cast. Viewers comment that “Woody ‘the third’ should get an Oscar for his portrayal. He truly dominates every scene and never lets a deep south accent waiver at all. I think Woody comes from the gore background and enjoys getting in character and making his audience want. This is his pure character acting masterpiece.” "The Walker" is a man who escorts important women from the administration. All in all, a gripping watch, if you survive the first 15 minutes you'll watch the end again! (12:45 Sun Oct 21)

THE WELSH FILM SHOWCASE

Award winning animator, Joanna Quinn's work will be featured in this year's Welsh offering. Several of Ms. Quinn's cartoons will be shown, including her "Beryl" features "Girl's Night Out", "Body Beautiful" and "Dreams and Desires." Beryl is a very popular character in the U.K., a middle-aged, sassy plus-sized heroine who is full of life. These cartoons are not for children and are in English. Also featured will be a funny slice of life with "Porc Pei", about the havoc caused by troublemaker supreme young Kenneth Robert Parry. It is in Welsh with English subtitles. It won a BAFTA award and the German Wurzburg International Film Festival's award for audience favorite. (8:00 Sun Oct 21) Hosted by Ann McFerrin-Welsh Society of KC

FilmFest prices are as follows:

Full Festival Passes - $45.00

Student / Senior Full Festival pass - $35

Any 4 pack of tickets - $25

Individual tickets are available at Screenland before each show – not online

To order tickets through PayPal please log in and credit FilmFest account via payment to: “thxjeff@sbcglobal.net”

Show Times for 2007 FilmFest (as of 10-2-07) are as follows:

Friday, October 19

1:00 Private Property *

3:00 Flanders *

4:45 Private Fears In Public Places **

7:00 The Diving Bell and the Butterfly ***

9:10 Screaming Masterpiece

Saturday, October 20

8:30 Reel Spirit WORKSHOP/ Life is Marbleous (BFT) ***

9:30 Reel Spirit Young Filmmakers Showcase (BFT) ***

1:00 My Brother is an Only Child (Digital Lounge)

1:00 Grace is Gone

3:00 Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles **

5:00 Doc Feast – Willie Frances Must Die Again & A Lawyer Walks Into a Bar

5:00 Got Breast? (Digital Lounge) ***

7:00 Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead

9:15 Sanctuary: Lisa Gerrard

Sunday, October 21

12:45 The Walker

3:00 The Pixar Story & Recycled Life ***

5:30 Kolja

8:00 The Welsh Film Showcase

Monday, October 22

1:00 In The Pit **

2:45 Private Fears in Public Places (R) **

5:00 Flanders (R) *

7:00 Take My Eyes **

9:10 The Sound of Rio

Tuesday, October 23

12:30 Shower **

2:30 Times and Winds

4:45 Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead (R)

7:00 Three Mothers **

9:00 The Aura (R)

Wednesday, October 24

1:00 Heading South *

3:15 Moro No Braszil

5:15 Gabrielle *

7:00 Bullets Miss the Fool

Thursday, October 25

1:00 The Aura (R)

3:00 My Best Friend *

4:45 Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles (R) **

7:00 Lenexa, 1 Mile (BFT) ***

9:00 Lenexa, 1 Mile ***

(BFT) Indicates is a Benefit Performance with special ticket prices

(R) Indicates is a Repeat Showing

* Indicates French films sponsored by the Alliance Francaise de Kansas City, Cook Composites and Polymers, UMKC Communication Studies/Film & Media Arts and the UMKC Dept. of Foreign Languages and Literature.

** Indicates is sponsored by (SCAKC) Sisters City Association of Kansas City: Seville, Spain – Kurashiki, Japan – Guadalajara, Mexico – Ramla, Israel – Metz, France – Xi’an, China (www.KCSistercities.org)

*** Indicates the filmmaker or other film personnel will be in attendance.

Reel Spirit – Showcase of Young Filmmakers
Saturday, October 20, 2007

Adults - $2.00 | Children – $1.00

What fun everyone had with “Reel Spirit” during the premiere in 2006! The Reel Spirit Showcase was organized by three educators to offer an authentic premiere venue for student filmmakers in three divisions: Division I – grades 2/3, Division II – grades 4/5/6, Division III – grades 7/8.

Young filmmakers from the Kansas City metro area and beyond submitted entries created during the school year in five categories: Broadcast News, Documentary, Drama/Comedy, Public Service Announcement and Animation/Claymation. The student produced entries were judged by local media and video professionals. The opportunity for these young filmmakers to exhibit their creative efforts at FilmFest Kansas City in the Screenland Theatre is an exciting honor and a great addition to FilmFest!

Films for 2007 Reel Spirit:

Hindenburg

A documentary about the fatal airship

Running Time: 6:45

The One That Got Away

What can happen when your food fights back

Running Time: 3:00

Longview Farm

A documentary about the transformation of an historic landmark

Running Time: 7:00

Stop Bullying Now

A story is about how bullying is hurtful and can affect everyone, and how to prevent the effects of bullying

Running Time: 4:00

KMH News

KMH is all about informing Liberty about what is happening in Manor Hill

Running Time: 9:55

Sparky

A bird learns the importance of electrical safety

Running Time: 3:00

The Maynard Cup

Follow the action of an exciting hockey game

Running Time: 1:05

The Dwarf Planet

Since Pluto has been dropped here’s a new rhyme to help remember the order of the planets

Running Time: 1:30

Pop Pod

A commercial about a new energy source for the IPod

Running Time: 1:30

Don’t Be A Bully Bug

A music video to show people what bullying looks like and how it effects people 's lives 

Running Time: 2:57

Stars Then & Now: The Einstein Edition

The genius Einstein is interviewed and his life reviewed in this documentary

Running Time: 7:14

Day In The Life Of A Pencil

A story from the point of view of a pencil named Penny who has many problems just....being a pencil

Running Time: 2:48

Mystery Of Missing B

One day at school Mrs. Poulos notices that Mary B is missing, and Kelsey and Isabel help find her

Running Time: 5:00

Corinthian Hall

Discovering the history behind this Kansas City historical home and museum

Running Time: 5:00

A Reverend’s Art

The story of the life and nonstop duties of a pastor in a small town in Kansas

Running Time: 5:17

Teen Blogging

Explore what is blogging and safety issues and protection

Running Time: 4:00

Tuff Gum

A commercial about a new gum that blows up beyond wildest dreams

Running Time: 1:30

Gun Safety

How to store hunting equipment so you can keep your children safe

Running Time 2:10

Rainforest Deforestation

Learn about the devastation of the rainforest in this animated short

Running Time: 3:15

Veteran’s Day

A story about Veteran’s Day and its importance in our country’s history along with the way it changed the veteran’s lives

Running Time: 3:15

Cheating in School

A documentary about the different ways of cheating and how to prevent it

Running Time: 9:02

Cooking for Kids

A Food Network style documentary demonstrating how to make pecan shortbread

Running Time: 7:10

Longview Mansion

A documentary sharing the rich history of the Longview Mansion

Running Time: 7:00

Speedy Goes Missing

An adventure hunting for Speedy the turtle

Running Time: 2:05

Just A Hop Away

Learning about the rainforest is just the beginning of the adventure for one student

Running Time: 3:14

Apartment House

Appetizing Chinese apartment commercial

Running Time: 1:05

A Fishy Tale

Finding out the real story behind the one that got away

Running Time: 5:00

Meet The Quackers</