Fests and events, 8/27.

"This year, for the first time ever so far as I know, TIFF is holding a limited number of advance press screenings here in NYC," writes Mike D'Angelo. "None of the dozen titles in question is especially high-profile, but I'm planning to see at least the first two reels of all of them, by way of revvin' the ol' motor." Comments on eight films follow. Via Keith Uhlich at the House Next Door.

Online viewing tips for those anticipating Toronto. "For your viewing pleasure, here are trailers and clips from a few of the films that have caught my attention," offers Darren Hughes at 1st Thursday. By "a few," he means about three dozen.

12 films screening in Venice will be eligible for the Queer Lion Award, notes Boyd van Hoeij at european-films.net. And Boyd's got a Venice preview at the Film Experience.

Fanny Ardant has been asked to stay away from Venice this year, reports John Hooper in the Guardian: "The actor unleashed a torrent of anger with an Italian magazine interview in which she called the activities of the Red Brigades 'enthralling and passionate.' Ardant, 59, said she admired Renato Curcio, who helped to found the group, for having stuck to his principles unlike many leaders of the 1968 student revolt in France: 'He didn't become a businessman.'"

Cinecon, the annual celebration of film rarities, started inauspiciously in 1965 in Indiana, Pa - the hometown of Jimmy Stewart - as a way for 8 millimeter film collectors to congregate and show their films," writes Susan King in the Los Angeles Times. Now in its 43rd year, the gathering, which kicks off Thursday, has morphed into a five-day festival, memorabilia show and book fair in Hollywood, and virtually all the films screened are 35 mm." Thursday through September 3.

"No doubt counting its own blessings after the government-funding crisis two years ago that nearly toppled the festival founded and overseen for three decades by Serge Losique, this year's Montreal World Film Festival kicked off Thursday with the world premiere of the French Canadian comedy Bluff," reports Robert Avila for indieWIRE. Through September 3.

At Bad Lit, Mike Everleth has the lineup for the Sydney Underground Film Festival (September 7 through 10).

Posted by dwhudson at August 27, 2007 5:21 AM