Editor

CineFest Compliments Captivating Lineup of Cinema with a Smorgasbord of Exciting Events

-Thursday, April 7, 2011 - Thursday, April 14, 2011-

While 65 films from over 17 countries - 2 World Premieres, 1 USA Premiere, and 7 East Coast Premieres would be enough for most people, it's the events that get many folks excited. And this year's CineFest is bursting at the proverbial seams with them! From Tony Jaa! Fest at The Piazza at Schmidt's and an all-day street fair at Dock Street, to multiple opportunities for off-key singing and comedy, CineFest is keeping festival goers entertained both inside and outside of the theater.

Following the opening night double feature of the entirely dynamic and irreverent film The Catechism Cataclysm from bad boy independent director/screenwriter Todd Rohal; and "Everybody Loves Raymond" creator Phil Rosenthal's Exporting Raymond, festival goers will celebrate the start of CineFest 2011 with an evening under the stars at the marvelous Independence Visitor Center. With breathtaking views from the Liberty View Ballroom and Terrace on the historic Independence Mall, from 9:30pm-1:00am attendees will dance and celebrate the night away with a live deejay while enjoying the generously stocked bar provided by Blue Coat Gin, Smirnoff Vodka, Barefoot Wine and Smart Water. Discount voucher parking will be available for the underground lot at the Independence Visitors Center. Combination Ticket (film and party): $35 public/$30 PCA & PSF Members. Party only: $25 Public/$20 PCA & PFS Members./ 21+.

On Sunday, April 10 starting at noon at The Piazza at Schmidt's, CineFest takes the newly reintroduced CineFest genre Action Asia beyond the walls of the screening venues with the all day martial arts mini-fest, celebrating the greatest action star you've probably never heard of, Tony Jaa!

In a 90 minute Tony Jaa movie, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero. Punches, kicks, spinning backfists, and mid-air elbow strikes. A down roundhouse kick, sideways foot thrust, double elbow to head chop, and flying knee bomb. If you're a bad dude in a Tony Jaa movie, so long sucka! And so we begin Tony Jaa Fest. Not a one-off or an impulsive "fanboy" display of affection. This is the first of what we hope to be many. It's our way of celebrating our favorite martial arts superstar, a man who has made far too few films, yet inspired us through his sheer audacity and bewildering display of badassery.

Unfortunately, Tony Jaa, at the young age of 35, has retired from filmmaking. After a rough production on Ong Bak 2, shaping Ong Bak 3 and sickened by the Hollywood methods of control, he rode an Elephant to a monastery, and gave up his career to be a Buddhist Monk.

But, we want him back. So we ask you to join us in our jubilation, a triumph for the powerful, a ceremony for the man who has always protected the weak. Let him be unleashed again, fighting his way up 14 flights of stairs, beating the piss out of dirty scum bad guys who abuse their elephants. We want you back Tony Jaa, and if we can't have that, well, we'll just throw a party in your name instead.

All 3 Ong Bak movies will be screened for free, outdoors, with martial arts demos throughout the day.

Mid-way through the 8-day festival, CineFest will honor John Carpenter with the Phantasmagoria Award, at The Trocadero on Monday, April 11 at 8:00pm. We will be screening Big Trouble In Little China, with a few very special surprises. Cinefest will screen Carpenter's latest chiller, the East Coast Premiere of The Ward, on Friday, April 8 at 10pm, along with a midnight screening on Saturday April 9. Tickets are on sale now.

CineFest closes on Thursday, April 14 with the Jury and Audience Awards presentation hosted by Michaela Majoun and Robert Drake, both veteran radio personalities of WXPN, starting at 7:15pm; and followed by the screening of our closing night film, POM Wonderful Presents The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, conceived, written, directed and produced by Academy-Award nominee, Morgan Spurlock.  After the film, festival goers bid farewell to another great year of film with a party at one of the most exotic spots in Old City, Positano Coast by Aldo Lamberti, 212 Walnut St., 2nd Floor, 9:30pm-1:00am. Music, dancing, a sumptuous buffet, drink specials and plenty of festival guests to meet and greet. Combination Ticket (film & party): $25 public; $20 PCA & PSF Members. Party only: $15 Public; $10 PCA & PFS Members. / 21+.

Other event highlights include:

Dock Street Fair - Saturday, April 9, noon, Old City
In front of The Ritz Five, the festival will celebrate all day and evening with the first ever free CineFest Street Fair, complete with musicians, filmmaker interviews hosted by Scapple TV, special guest MC's,  comedy acts presented by 247 comedy radio, Positano Coast outdoor seating, vendors, and more. The festivities kick off at noon, don't miss it!

Quizzo Championship - Monday, April 11, 8:00pm-10:00pm, Plough and the Stars, 123 Chestnut St
Johnny Goodtimes presents the Quizzo Championship at Plough and the Stars. Come test your skills against legendary team Sofa Kingdom. Drink specials and prizes! / 21+. We're going to keep the celebration going, upstairs at Triumph Brewery, 117 Chestnut St, with drink specials, delicious food, hilarious Cinefest trailers and special guests. 9:00pm-1:00am / 21+

Karaoke showdown - Tuesday, April 12, 9:00pm-1:00am the National Mechanics, 22 South 3rd St
Come sing your heart out from at the National Mechanics Karaoke showdown, with drink specials and the best veggie burgers in the city!

American: The Bill Hicks Story - Tuesday, April 12, The Trocadero, 1003 Arch Street
Following the 9:15pm screening, 24/7 Comedy will host live stand up comedians, along with Bill Hicks trivia and great giveaways.

Fubar: Balls To The Wall - Wednesday, April 13, 8:00pm at The Trocadero. 1003 Arch Street
Fubar 2 of Fubar: Balls To The Wall, is the East Coast Premiere of the hilarious sequel to the Canadian cult-hit phenomenon, Fubar. To celebrate this hilarious tale of two metal heads, we will be hosting a heavy metal karaoke party post show, as well as a head banger costume party with prizes given away to the best costumes!

Karaoke Fiesta - Wednesday, April 13, 9:00pm-1:00am at Mexican Post, 104 Chestnut St.
You just can't get enough Karaoke? Rock out as hard as you can at the Mexican Post Karaoke Fiesta! Drink specials and delicious tex/mex cuisine.

Leading up to the festival, be sure to look out for the following:

The Social Network - Monday, March 28 at the Trocadero, 1003 Arch Street
Keep an eye out for Cinefest at the Trocadero's Movie Monday presentation of The Social Network. Special : Arrive before 7:00pm and get a FREE beer and a bag of popcorn. $3 gets you in and goes towards a drink. Win tickets to see SCALA & Kolacny Brothers at the Troc on 4/26 featuring their mesmerizing version of "Creep" as heard in The Social Network trailer. Doors open at 6:30pm; show starts 8:00pm. /21+

Black and Gold - Thursday, March 31, 8:30pm at The Grindcore House, 1515 S 4th St.
Check out the free screening of Black Gold: a film about coffee and trade: http://www.blackgoldmovie.com/.