Who: White Sands International Film Festival
What: 2009 Festival Program
When: April 23-26, 2009
Where: Las Cruces, New Mexico
Contact: kierstin@wsiff.com, www.wsiff.com

Selections were announced today for the Fifth Annual White Sands International Film Festival, which runs Thursday April 23rd through Sunday April 26th and features local talent. WSIFF will screen over 45 independent documentary and narrative films at the new Cineport 10 and will conduct a series of informative and exciting panels led by industry experts. Weekend events will comprise of an opening night bash hosted by Risottos and after parties by the Azul Nightclub at Hotel Encanto on Friday and Saturday night.

New Mexico film highlights include The Land of Space and Time, by award winning filmmakers Michael Lennick and Shirley Guilliford. This is a sophisticated and compelling story of the development of the United States Space Program and features Holloman Air Force Base and the White Sands Missile Range. Also included in the program is How the West Was Lost, a documentary about the locking up of 300,000 acres of New Mexican land, written and directed by Las Crucesan Erik Ness.
In addition, WSIFF will screen animations by NMSU’s Creative Media Institute.

WSIFF will also conduct panels by industry experts such as actor Jamison Jones (24, He Was A Quiet Man) who will teach the “Business and Art of Actingâ€, as well as Casting Directors Donn Finn (Titanic, L.A. Confidential) and New Mexico’s own Jo Edna Boldin, who will host “Auditioning for T.V. and Filmâ€. Finally, WSIFF will offer a “Conversation With Mark Medoffâ€, an Oscar Nominated and Tony Award winning writer (Children of A Lesser God, 100 MPG), which discusses screenwriting and
directing, followed by a Q&A with Mr. Medoff.

Other participants in the festival include screenwriters Kathy Gori & Alan Berger (I Love You Phillip Morris), author and professor, Dr. Sam Smiley (Playwriting, The Structure of Action), Jon Hendry, IATSE Local #480 Union Leader, and Bill Hanson from Apple Computers.

Guests can view the full schedule and purchase passes and tickets at WWW.WSIFF.COM. Tickets are also available at www.whitemusicbox.com. (Day Passes sold day of festival at Allen Theatres Cineport 10; Rush tickets available if seating is available).

Leave a Reply