Editor

The 7th annual installment of the Coney Island Film Festival hits the shores of Coney Island on Friday, September 28th through Sunday, September 30th. This year's festival features eighty films from around the world; a stunning array of high and low-brow fare, as diverse as the neighborhood it represents. Subjects range from the profound to the profane, showcasing the independent spirit and irreverent nature of the one and only Coney Island.

This year's centerpiece film is director Mike Edwards Coney Island Cyclone. Unseen at any film festival, this documentary short is a look at the world's greatest roller coaster during its 50th anniversary in 1977. Four outstanding documentary features will have their New York premieres at CIFF this year; American Scary: a look at the nation's tradition of television horror hosting, from Zacherley to A. Ghastlee Ghoul; Mathematically Alive: A Story of Fandom, is an exploration of fandom with an intimate look into the lives of New York Mets fans.; Llik your Idols, a documentary that tells the story of "The Cinema of Transgression" movement (New York, 1984-1991) and introduces its 4 main figures: Richard Kern, Lydia Lunch, Joe Coleman and Nick Zedd; and Blood, Boobs & Beast tells the compelling story of Don Dohler, whose movies have been called everything from oddly brilliant to some of the worst film s of all time.

Feature film highlights include D.B. Sweeney's directorial debut, Two Tickets to Paradise: Starring John C. McGinley, D.B. Sweeney and Ed Harris, a comedy that is both hilarious and heartwarming. It takes us on a journey of lost dreams and underappreciated treasures and reminds us that in this crazy, uncertain world, the one thing we can count on is our friends... King of Sorrow starring Kim Coates and Lara Daans makes its U.S. Premiere at CIFF. A drug-addicted homicidal policeman struggles with God and himself as he attempts to dispel the darkness that weighs so heavily upon him... Celluloid #1 starring Julie Atlas Muz is a confetti of references/passions to the genius of Warhol, Fassbinder and the era of 'The Hustler' as well as the glory of black and white. Celluloid #1 is ultimately about celluloid and how it captures us. The festival will screen the 1979 Coney Island classic The Warriors at 10:30pm on Saturday.

The Coney Island Film festival also offers a huge variety of shorts: three time Emmy Award Winner James Gandolfini stars in the fable, Club Soda; Entourage's Adrian Grenier plays everyday man Bruno, who saves the world by literally setting it back into motion in Off Hour. In Bally Master we take a peek into the life of Scott Baker as he performs his most outrageous sideshow routines and talks in depth about his life and the history of geeking and of the sideshow. Andy Samberg of Saturday Night Live lends his talents to the surreal and bizarre Nature of The Beast.

CIFF features new shorts from master animators Signe Baumane and academy award nominated Bill Plympton and a program of eight shorts which use Coney Island backdrops in a screening at 6pm on Saturday. The festival wraps up Sunday evening with a hip hop themed program at 6pm on Sunday.

The festival will begin with an Opening Night Gala on September 28th. American Scary screens at 7:30pm at Sideshows by the Seashore followed by an opening night party, 9:30 p.m. at The Coney Island Museum. It's an evening of live sideshow performance, music, and burlesque that will kick off the festival with a riotous bang. An awards ceremony takes place Sunday, September 30th after the final screening at the Eldorado Auto Skooters next door.

For the full schedule and a complete list of films at the festival, visit www.coneyislandfilmfestival.com

Event Details are as follows:
Coney Island Film Festival
September 28, 29 and 30, 2007
Films screen at Sideshows by the Seashore (3006 W. 12th St.) and the Coney Island Museum (1208 Surf Ave.) in Coney Island, Brooklyn. Take the D, F, N or Q lines to the Coney Island/Stillwell Avenue stop. All screening venues are within easy walking distance of the subway.

Tickets:
Opening Night Gala screening & party: $25
Full Festival Pass (excludes "The Warriors"): $45
Saturday Pass (excludes "The Warriors"): $15
Sunday Pass: $10
Special Saturday Night Showing of The Warriors: $10
Any Individual Program Screening: $6

To see more about individual films and programs check www.coneyislandfilmfestival.com.