INTERNATIONAL STARS WILL SHINE AT THE 2008 SYRFILM FEST

With only a week until opening night, the SYRFILM Fest (April 25-May 4) is assembling an impressive list of festival films and guests.

In addition to Stephen Baldwin, who will be in attendance to answer questions about his film, The Flyboys (screening Friday, April 25 at the Palace Theater in Eastwood at 7pm), SYRFILM Fest is currently anticipating over 60 filmmaker guests from around the world.  Those who have already reserved space at the Renaissance Syracuse Hotel include: award winning Czech actress/music sensation Iva Bittova (Little Girl Blue) ; Academy award winning director, Moshe Mizrahi (Madame Rosa, Every Time We Say Goodbye and Weekend In Galilee);  Italian screenwriter/actor, Paolo Sassanelli (Red Like the Sky); actor Luca Capriotti (Red Like the Sky); Russian actor, Slava Ross (Fat, Stupid Rabbit) and  Eugene Zykov, Russian film producer and distributor.

SYRFILM Fest will also host special screenings (Saturday, April 26 and Saturday, May 3) of the award winning documentary, Ballou. This film was featured on the Ellen Degeneres Show and at a White House screening hosted by Laura Bush.  Mrs. Bush said “This film is an example of what America’s adults can do if they stay involved in the lives of our young people. “  The film’s producer, Casey Callister will be in town for the screenings, which will be held at the festival’s newest venue, the Center For Performing Arts, sponsored by Clear Channels.  Casey plans to bring along some of the musicians from the film to perform (Gifted Children from Buffalo, NY and KuKu from Washington, DC.)  That is if their schedule permits…it seems that the filmmakers and musicians are in Hollywood talking about a feature film deal!

And, the annual presentation of New Technologies in Animation will once again feature PIXAR representatives.  Dylan Brown, the producer of Ratatouille and Cynthia Slavens (a PIXAR distributor with roots in Manlius, NY) will speak to Syracuse City School students on Friday, May 2 at the Bristol IMAX OmniTheater at the MOST.  This program, sponsored by Assemblyman William Magnarelli and facilitated by the Syracuse Teachers Association, has become an eagerly awaited event each year.

Stay tuned... More to come!