2008 marks the ninth year for HDFEST, the historic digital cinema festival. Today, HDFEST announced the details of its upcoming annual New York event October 17th, 18th and 19th. HDFEST New York is the first of HDFEST's 2008 events. HDFEST screens shorts and features that have originated exclusively in High-Definition using High-Definition and HDV cameras and technology. To date, HDFEST events have taken place in numerous cities around the world, ranging from Sydney Australia, Seoul South Korea to London and Los Angeles, to name a few. All festival material is played back with some of the most advanced High-Definition projection equipment available. HDFEST events in 2008 will showcase some of the finest new independent cinema from around the world, all of which has been created with state-of-the-art high-definition technology. HDFEST is further pleased to announce that the New York festival screenings will be held in the High-Definition Theatre at Sony Wonder Technology Lab which is a four-story, interactive technology and entertainment museum for all ages.
HDFEST New York HD Screening Schedule
HDFEST's New York festival screenings will be held October 19th and 20th. The New York event will screen a truly diverse selection of short films and features, with most projects making both their US premieres and their HD premieres simultaneously. Screenings will also include High-Definition animation, High-Definition experimental films and HD comedies.
Festival feature screenings include the New York Premiere of the revolutionary film "1000 Journals," directed by Andrea Kreuzhage. This innovative award-winning documentary is the story of "a global, collaborative project, which began in the year 2000 by a graphic designer in San Francisco who calls himself 'Someguy.'" “Someguy” documents what happens when an artist mails and leaves 1000 blank books all over the world. In September 2003, one of the 1000, number 526, returned to Someguy, filled out. What happened to the other 999? This film tells their stories. Andrea Kreuzhag has been working in the film industry since 1986, and has been involved in the development, financing, production, marketing and/or distribution of 8 to 10 feature films and TV productions per year. She has Executive produced films including "SLC Punk" (which received an Independent Spirit Award nomination in 2002) and "Bookies" starring Nick Stahl.
HDFEST New York will also have The New York Premiere and High-Def Premiere of "Foreign Devils," Directed by Avery Pack. "Foreign Devils" has the unique and interesting distinction of having been filmed illegally on the streets of Bejing, China. This feature narrative is the story of two mismatched friends, foreigners in Bejing, who spend their last day together in Bejing, "a city on the brink of history."
In the documentary category, HDFEST New York will screen the vivid feature "Chihuly in the Hotshop," which makes its New York Premiere and High-Def premiere with HDFEST. "Chihuly in the Hotshop" is a documentary about renowned glassmaker Chihuly which is directed by Peter West. This visually stunning documentary reveals the depth and breadth of Chihuly's impressive career in glassmaking, which has spanned over thirty years. Hotstop, matches its impressive visuals with impressive sounds as the documentary is set to a soundtrack by the Tom Tom Club.
HDFEST New York will present hard-hitting short films including "Appassionata" Directed by Mirko Echghi-Ghamsari, a tale of a German Soldier awaiting his doom in Stalingrad; and "A Fitting Tribute" Directed and Produced by Daniel Cormack. “A Fitting Tribute” is a story of a novice reporter getting an initiation into the art of the ‘death-knock’: knocking on the doors of the recently bereaved to get a story.
The complete New York HDFEST schedule and online ticketing information can be found at http://www.hdfest.com/hdfestnyc.html.

HDFEST's Party and Networking "Music in Film- It's Evolving" Sponsored by HDFEST Music
On October 17th, HDFEST will be hosting a festival kick-off party at the RMA Museum's K2 Lounge from 6pm-10pm. This will mark the inaugural event of "Music in Film- It's Evolving" Filmmaker and Musician networking. This HDFEST event is free of charge to HDFEST ticket holders, VIPs and musicians.
HDFEST's "Music in Film- It's Evolving" will provide introductions for filmmakers looking for film music for their soundtracks or interested in meeting new composers. These filmmakers will be introduced to musicians who are interested in scoring films.