41st Annual Chicago International Film Festival October 6-20
CHICAGO, IL, October 5, 2005. For two weeks every year, Chicago becomes the film capital of the world, as home to the oldest competitive international film festival in North America. In its 41st year, the Chicago International Film Festival expects a star-studded cast of leading ladies, men and directors, with Nicolas Cage, Susan Sarandon and Cameron Crowe confirmed to attend.
Film fans can choose from 142 feature and short films from 34 countries around the world. With over 1,300 submissions, this year's event will showcase three world premieres (The Trouble with Dee Dee, Feast and The Unseen), 11 North American premieres and 34 U.S. premieres. The traditional Opening Night Gala event on Thursday, 6 October screens Cameron Crowe's typically music filled Elizabethtown - a romance starring Orlando Bloom and Kirsten Dunst. Co-star Susan Sarandon, will be honoured with a Career Achievement Award on the same night, to be presented at the Chicago Theatre.
The Festival Grand Finale takes place on Thursday, 20 October and will showcase The Weather Man, starring Nicolas Cage and Michael Caine. Nicolas Cage will be introducing this poignant story about the unpredictability of life, which was filmed in Chicago and directed by Gore Verbinski.
Other highlights include: the Black Perspectives section, now in its ninth season - focusing on films, filmmakers and topics from the African diaspora. The coveted Gold Hugo award is the festival's highest honour and sees 19 films, selected to represent the very finest in world cinema, put before a distinguished international jury of film artists, critics and professionals.
Renowned directors Lars Von Trier and the British, Oscar nominated, Stephen Frears will be awarded in the Special Presentations section. Their films Manderlay (the follow up to Dogville) and Mrs. Henderson Presents (starring Dame Judi Dench) will also be featured at the festival.
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