St. Louis International film Festival begins Oct. 29 at many local venues

Very soon, a major annual treat for serious film fans is arriving in our area. The Eighth St. Louis International Film Festival begins Oct. 29 and runs through Nov. 7. The festival features over 100 films including foreign films, independent American films (including some from local filmmakers), art films, documentaries, and short films. Last year I was fortunate enough to work as a venue captain for the festival and got to see a lot of their excellent offerings. The festival is generally the St. Louis premier for most of the films, some of which will return to the area throughout the coming year, and it also features world premieres for other films. A large number of excellent foreign films that would otherwise not make it to the St. Louis area are included in the program. Intriguing documentaries that rarely find a venue here, except at Webster University's Film Series, are in the program as well as short films, which are often outstanding and seem to have no other outlet in this area.

I spoke recently with Christine Besher, one of the Festival organizers. The festival is still finalizing their selection of films for this year, and will be doing a mass mailing of the final choices in about two weeks, according to Besher. She also said that a complete listing would be posted on their Web page (www.sliff.org - the official St. Louis International Film Festival (SLIFF) website) at about the same time. The website will also contain descriptions of the films, show times and dates, ticket information, and information about festival events and sidebars. Some of the films already chosen include: Big Brass Ring (a St. Louis film), Genghis Blues, My Best Friend (from legendary filmmaker Werner Herzog), Three Men and a Leg (Italian) and The Wisdom of Crocodiles.

The regular program of films runs at three major venues, with a few showings at some other theaters. The major venues are the Tivoli, Plaza Frontenac, and the West Olive 16. Special groups of films are designated as sidebars, and include discussions, special events and additional screenings. This year's sidebars include African-American cinema (including African-American filmmakers and stars, as well as social and historical contexts of films), Young People's (featuring events to young film fans), and Critics Choice (chosen by noted local film reviewers). In addition to the films, the festival offers a variety of events and discussion groups, including events with stars (Paul Winfield, Kim Hunter, and others) and filmmakers (George Hickenlooper, Don McKeller, and others who's work is featured). There are panel discussions and coffees with independent filmmakers and with St.Louis filmmakers, workshops for filmmakers, and retrospectives of films.

The whole event is kicked off by a grand opening party at Blueberry Hill the first weekend, "Spin Magazine presents Meet the Filmmakers and Stars". The second weekend features Independent Filmmakers events, with a variety of work shops and discussions. Passes are available at various prices, including a student pass that gives you entry to the panel discussions and a discount on tickets. Individual tickets will also be available, but the discount makes the passes worthwhile if you'll see more than one film (which you'll want to do!)

by Catherine Marquis-Homeyer