from PMG

Sun Valley, ID – The Sun Valley Film Festival (SVFF), recognized by USA Today as one of the “great places for a film festival,” will roll out the red carpet for filmmakers and movie lovers this March 13-16, 2014 to celebrate the art of filmmaking and provide another great reason to visit Hollywood’s original ski Shangri-La. The 3rd annual Sun Valley Film Festival, will offer up a film slate of over 50 features and shorts, along with host of a new programs, special events, parties, concerts and some very special guests.

On Thursday, March 13th, Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter and First Lady Lori Otter will open the festival and introduce the opening night film, Arie Posin’s THE FACE OF LOVE, starring Ed Harris, Annette Bening, Amy Brennerman, Robin Williams, and Jess and Jess Weixler.

“We’re so pleased that the Sun Valley Film Festival is returning for its third year this March, and I am pleased to be introducing the opening night screening of The Face of Love. The state of Idaho has a proud filmmaking heritage and we’re all hoping that SVFF and the Gem State have a long and fruitful relationship and can work together to bring more filmmakers to shoot in Idaho,” said Governor Otter.

The 2014 Festival’s curated slate of films includes 11 narrative and 15 documentary feature-length works from 11 countries, as well as over 40 short films. Festival partner National Geographic Channels will be presenting 3 highly anticipated world premieres and announcing the winner of the WILD to INSPIRE short film competition, sponsored by Nat Geo WILD, the African Wildlife Foundation and SVFF, who will get to study filmmaking and wildlife in Africa with Emmy Award winning cinematographer, Bob Poole.

There will also be a special 20th anniversary screening of Kevin Smith’s landmark indie hit Clerks (With Smith and frequent co-star Jason Mewes on hand for a post-screening Q&A) followed by the raucous Opening Night Party with Dinosaur Jr.’s, J Mascis. Smith will also be on hand later in the weekend to do a Q&A following a free screening of his most recent film Red State.

In addition to films, the Festival will feature unique special programs, events and panels, including its signature Coffee Talks with top industry insiders including Academy Award® nominated producers Ron Yerxa (Nebraska, Little Miss Sunshine) and Jim Burke (The Descendants, Election), and writer-actor-director Kevin Smith (Clerks), and actor Mariel Hemingway.

SVFF’s other signature event, the Screenwriters Lab, will be hosted by 2014 Academy Award® nominees, screenwriters Craig Borten and Melisa Wallack (Dallas Buyers Club) and will feature actors Will McCormack, Alison Pill, and Joshua Leonard, along with Jim Burke and Academy Award® winning screenwriter David Seidler (The King’s Speech).

New programs added to the festival event lineup include conTent, an afternoon panel hosted by Jason Tanz, Executive Editor of WIRED, showcasing the exploding genre of digital entertainment and a special screening of MITT, the most buzzed about example of this sea change in the business. Digital industry expert panelists include Marsha Olgesby of Brooklyn Films and youtube’s WIGS channel, Scilla Andreen, founder and CEO of Indieflix.com, Ben Silverman of Electus and Greg Whiteley, director of MITT.

The Festival is also adding a WIP Workshop featuring screenings of films that are still ‘works in progress’ so filmmakers can receive audience feedback, and the Future Filmmakers Forum with its focus on young student filmmakers. Additional special guests attending this year’s festival include actor Jess Weixler (SVFF opening night film The Face of Love), Academy Award winning director Jessica Yu (SVFF doc The Guide, Breathing Lessons: The Life and Work of Mark O’Brien), director Fredrik Bond (Charlie Countryman), actor Peter Cambor (NCIS Los Angeles), actor Michael Weaver (Super Troopers), actor Pell James Burns (The Lincoln Lawyer, Zodiac), director William Olsson (An American Affair), and Kurt Sutter (creator, Sons of Anarchy).

“Our goal is to bring in the best films, innovative programs, and high energy events to Sun Valley and we are extremely excited about this year’s festival,” said SVFF executive director Teddy Grennan. “With a solid lineup of new films from around the world, a talent-packed Screenwriters Lab, the special events celebrating the 20th anniversary of Clerks, and guests from all over the country, Sun Valley Film Festival ‘Take 3’ is going to be another hit!”

Visit website full run-down on the programs, events and films.