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CineVegas Turns It Up to 11 with 2009 Festival Program

CineVegas has announced the complete lineup for its 11th Annual Festival, including Bobcat Goldthwait’s World’s Greatest Dad as the closing night film, it was announced today by Trevor Groth, Artistic Director.

In addition to the opening night film, Saint John of Las Vegas, and eight “Jackpot Premieres” which were earlier announced, the 2009 Festival will offer a selection of documentaries in the “Pioneer Documentaries” section; “Diamond Discoveries” the best new independent films: “Sure Bets,” advance screenings of high-profile films; a collection of midnight, underground and cult films in the “Area 52” section; shorts programs; and shorts and features from Nevada filmmakers.

“Featuring more world premieres than ever before, this year’s CineVegas will rock anyone looking for exhilarating new films from uninhibited and adventurous filmmakers,” stated CineVegas Artistic Director Trevor Groth. “Inspired by the success of last year’s inaugural documentary competition, we brought back the Pioneer Documentaries section and are thrilled to be able to present seven non-fiction films that are as engaging and enlightening as any fiction film. Our notorious Area 52 section is back as well with a motley collection that is sure to satisfy the most hard-core cinephiles. Featuring something for everyone, our Diamond Discoveries showcase filmmakers at various stages of their careers and includes the latest from legendary German filmmaker Wim Wenders. Finally, we are ecstatic to welcome back Bobcat Goldthwait, whose hilarious new film, World’s Greatest Dad, will close the Festival. Starring Robin Williams in a role that is sure to shock some and entertain all, it represents the kind of bold storytelling that CineVegas is all about. These films, plus our now legendary parties celebrating them, combine to make up 6 days and nights in Vegas that you won’t want to miss a second of … good thing they pump oxygen into the casinos.”

Closing the Festival is Bobcat Goldthwait’s dark comedy World’s Greatest Dad, starring Robin Williams as high school poetry teacher Lance Clayton, who desperately tries to connect with his teenage son, Kyle (Daryl Sabara), as well as a painfully adorable art teacher, Claire (Alexie Gilmore). After a freak accident, Lance suddenly faces both the worst tragedy of his life, and the greatest opportunity. Determined to make lemonade from life’s lemons, Lance treads a path that could land him everything he’s ever dreamed of, as long as he can live with the knowledge of how he got there.

Cash prizes will be awarded to jury award winners, including $10,000 for Best Jackpot Premiere, $2,500 for Best Pioneer Documentary, $1,000 for Best Short and $100 for Nevada Filmmaking Short. The Festival will be held June 10 – 15, 2009 at the Palms Casino Resort and Brenden Theatres.

“Pioneer Documentaries,” a competitive section for documentaries that explore new territory and world perceptions, includes Douglas Tirola’s All In (world premiere), a comprehensive look at the history and current excitement of poker; James Rasin’s Beautiful Darling exploring the life and times of Warhol Superstar Candy Darling; Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo, Jessica Oreck’s exploration of Japan’s enriching social relationship with insects; Jennifer Kroot’s It Came From Kuchar, about filmmaking twins George and Mike Kuchar and their outrageous, no-budget movies; Sea of Darkness (world premiere) from Michael Oblowitz, the true story of surfing pioneers/criminals Mike Boyum and Martin Daly; Ben Steinbauer’s Winnebago Man about Internet superstar Jack Rebney; and Youth Knows No Pain, Mitch McCabe’s journey through America’s $60 billion-a-year anti-aging world.

“Diamond Discoveries” features the best new independent films available for U.S. distribution. This year’s program includes Robert Byington’s Harmony and Me, the story of a man dispossessed after getting dumped; Palermo Shooting, from Wim Wenders and starring CineVegas Chairman Dennis Hopper; The Square, about a simple plan which spirals into blackmail, kickbacks, cover-ups, arson and murder, from Nash Edgerton; Cory McAbee’s Stingray Sam, an hour-long feature made of individual shorts; and Amir Naderi’s Vegas: Based on a True Story, which follows a compulsive gambler and his blue-collar family living on the outskirts of Las Vegas.

“Sure Bets,” advance screenings of independent studio films, include 500 Days of Summer, Marc Webb’s love-me/love-me-not love story starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel; Max Mayer’s Adam, with Hugh Dancy and Rose Byrne as two twenty-somethings in Manhattan; Black Dynamite, the 1970s throwback from Scott Sanders; Nicolas Winding Refn’s Bronson, the true story of Charlie Bronson, Britain’s most violent prisoner; Lucrecia Martel’s psychological mystery The Headless Woman; Humpday, Lynn Shelton’s buddy movie gone wild; Armando Iannucci’s political comedy In the Loop; and Moon from Duncan Jones, starring Sam Rockwell as an astronaut who has a personal encounter toward the end of his three-year stint on the Moon.

Included in “Area 52,” a collection of midnight, underground and cult films, are Attack of the 50 Foot Woman, the classic 1950s film from Nathan Juran; Alex Perry’s Impolex, the story of one soldier and his mission to find the last two undetonated German rockets after WWII; Modus Operandi (world premiere), Frankie Latina’s revenge tale about a desperate CIA agent; The Revenant (world premiere), a vampire buddy movie from Kerry Prior; and Watts and Volts from Across the Field, a collection of films with live music by animator Brent Green and friends.

“Nevada Filmmaking,” features and shorts produced in Nevada or by local filmmakers, includes Jerry Thompson’s comedy Thor at the Bus Stop (world premiere), about a mythical creature making his final journey in life.

All access Royal Flush passes and Blackjack ticket packages are now on sale at www.cinevegas.com/buynow. Local, senior, student and military discounted packages are also available. In addition, hotel and ticket package deals are available at www.vegas.com.