The 21st Annual Sedona Film Festival Starts Feb. 21st

9 DAYS, 160 FILMS, GREAT GUESTS AND A TRIBUTE TO ORSON WELLES, FEB. 21-MARCH 1

John Waters, Ed Asner, Chris Lemmon, Tab Hunter Among Those Already Committed

The 21st annual Sedona International Film Festival will feature 160 documentaries, features, shorts, Academy Award nominees and specialty films over nine days with a special tribute celebrating the 100th birthday of director and actor Orson Welles, Feb. 21-March 1.

Highlighting this year’s festival will be a series of screenings and retrospectives of Welles’ work coordinated by his daughter, Beatrice, who lives in Sedona. She will be joined by renowned film critic and family friend Jeffrey Lyons.  The full schedule of films, workshops, panel discussions and events will be announced early in 2015.

Established among the nation’s most sought-after independent film festivals by filmmakers, the nine-day Sedona International Film Festival brings more than 10,000 film lovers to Sedona’s world-famous red rocks. Selections are underway for films in a range of categories from World Cinema to Documentaries that Make a Difference and from Sedona Green to Family Films and Classics.

Among those who have already committed to attending the festival are director John Waters (Hairspray, Serial Mom); Ed Asner, who with Mark Rydell will perform their two-man show, Oxymorons. Asner, who is in the cast of two films in the festival, also will perform his one-man show, FDR.  Also scheduled to appear are Chris Lemmon, who will perform his one-man tribute to his father, Jack; and Tab Hunter, who is screening a documentary of his life and career.  Lemmon is a Verde Valley High School graduate.

“The number and quality of films that we have received for consideration this year again reflects a remarkable range of interests, creativity and entertainment value,” said Sedona International Film Festival Executive Director Pat Schweiss.  “Every year we are presented with opportunities to expand and enhance what we present, and this year we are particularly thrilled to have Beatrice Welles working closely with us to organize a memorable and insightful retrospective of Orson Welles’ incredible career.”

The Festival opens Friday, Feb. 20 with a concert by The Larry Dunn Orchestra performing the music of Earth, Wind & Fire.  Dunn was the keyboardist and musical director for Earth, Wind & Fire during their remarkable R&B run that produced more than 100 million albums worldwide, six Grammy’s, four American Music Awards and 32 gold and platinum records.  A film about Dunn will be shown at the Festival.

Films are currently being screened by three committees: Documentary, Features and Short Films under the direction, respectively, of Connie Levinson, Keri Oskar and Denise Strubbe.

Films will run all day beginning Saturday, Feb. 21 on four screens at Sedona Harkins 6, 2081 W. Highway 89A; the Mary D. Fisher Theater, 2030 W. Highway 89A, and the Sedona Performing Arts Center at Sedona Red Rock High School, 995 Upper Red Rock Loop Road.

Advanced-sale Platinum All-Access Passes are $792 with Sedona International Film Festival members paying $752 before Dec. 31.  After Jan. 1, 2015, the cost is $990. Gold Priority Passes are $392 (members: $372) before Dec. 31 and $490 after; 20-ticket packages are $200 (members: $190) before Dec. 31 and $210 after; 10-ticket packages are $100 (members: $95) before Dec. 31 and $105 after. Full-time students can get the 10-ticket package for $85.

Priority Pass holders will be able to select the films they want to see beginning at 9 a.m. on Feb. 2.  10- and 20-ticket pass holders can select films beginning at 9 a.m. on Feb. 9.  Individual film tickets go on sale to the general public on Feb. 16.

Sedona International Film Festival memberships also are available beginning at $65 for a basic membership.  Family memberships for up to four family members living in the same household are $130. Additional membership packages include Cinematographer ($275), Screenwriter ($550), Producer ($1,200), Director ($2,500), Auteur ($5,000), Marquee ($10,000), Executive Producer ($15,000), Indie Angel ($25,000) and Film Star ($50,000).  Benefits are commensurate with membership-fee levels.  Full information is available on the website.

Packages, other than for full-time students, are available online at www.sedonafilmfestival.org or through the Festival Box office at (928) 282-1177.  Student packages must be purchased through the Box Office and student ID’s are required.

For more information, visit www.sedonafilmfestival.org.

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