The 8th annual Chandler International Film Festival will begin on Friday, Jan. 19 and run through Jan. 28, at the LOOK Dine-in Cinema (1 W. Chandler Blvd.) in Chandler. This year’s festival will feature a diverse selection of international and local films. The 10-day festival will offer an exciting lineup of events including industry workshops, Q&A discussions, nightly after parties in Downtown Chandler, a red carpet event on opening night, an award ceremony, and celebrity guest appearances by Dean Norris, Jacqueline Emerson, Tony Todd, Eric Roberts, Fivel Stewart, Jason Gray, Colours Swathi, Damon Whitaker, Mallory Everton, Sean Dillingham, Jon Fitzgerald, Bubba Ganter, and Spero Stamboulis.
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“This year, film buffs and local residents, alike, can enjoy a diverse lineup of feature films and short films from around the world, learn more about the innerworkings of film, network with industry professionals, and rub elbows with cast and crew members,” said Mitesh Patel, CIFF president and festival director. “We’re proud to present a 10-day event that celebrates film in Arizona for the 8th year.”
Known as one of the fastest growing film festivals in Arizona, CIFF will feature over 125 films from more than 35 countries. The film “Villans Inc.” will kick-off the festival on Friday, Jan. 19 with a Hollywood-style red carpet prior to the premiere at 6 p.m. The film, directed by Jeremy Warner, tells the story of low-level henchpeople Beatrix, Cain, and Harold who are left destitute living in an abandoned grocery store after the death of their villainous boss. Unsatisfied with the situation they find themselves in, Beatrix is determined for them to strike out on their own and take over the world by any means necessary. The premier will be attended by Mallory Everton, the actor who plays Beatrix, and Jason Gray, the actor who plays Cain.
The feature films that have been selected to make their Arizona debut at this year’s Chandler International Film Festival include “Third Wheel,” directed by Blake Tamarkin, “In Fidelity,” directed by Rob Margolies, “Wake,” directed by Thom Arizmendi and Austin Parks Stewart, “Fortis Femina,” directed by Mitesh Patel, “The Activated Man,” directed by Nicholas Gyeney, “Maya,” directed by Julia Verdin, “Roswell Delirium,” directed by Richard Bakewell, “The Last Passenger,” directed by Takashi Horie, “Guardians,” directed by Rick Walker, “Art Thief,” directed by Arthur Bjorn Egeli, “The Quiet Girl,” directed by Colm Bairead, “Running The RadioTron,” directed by David Guzman, and more.
This year, the festival will be celebrating films from across the globe. Each day the festival will honor a different culture including European, Latin, Japanese, Native American, and Indian.
The festival will also include various industry workshops, open to the public for $15, hosted by Jon Fitzgerald, Mitesh Patel, Sean Dillingham, and Spero Stamboulis. Attendees can learn more about filmmaking, global distribution of films, film festivals, and acting. Workshops include “Film Festival Mastery,” “Secrets of Quality Filmmaking for Global Distribution,” “Improve and Scene Study,” and “Film Distribution Through the Eyes of a Filmmaker.”
Nightly after parties will take place around Downtown Chandler at La Ristra, The Uncommon, The Stillery, DTC Sports Grille, Recreo Cantina, West Alley, Craft 64, and The Perch Brewery. Entry is free and CIFF encourages the community to attend. Additionally, industry professionals can network at “Coffee Connections,” held on Saturday and Sunday mornings throughout the festival.
Tickets for CIFF begin at $15 for a single show and $240 for an entire festival event pass. To view the event schedule and to purchase tickets, visit www.chandlerfilmfestival.com or check the Facebook page @ChandlerFilmFest.
