Wednesday, April 11-----The Gen Art Film Festival, one of New York's most provocative and satisfying film events, roars into town this evening with the New York Premiere of CRASHING, directed by Gary Walkow and starring Campbell Scott (both of whom will be in attendance). The Festival, celebrating its 12th year, has the winning formula of presenting one film premiere a night, followed by after-parties at some of New York's trendiest night spots.

CRASHING, which also stars Lizzy Caplan, Izabella Miko and Alex Kingston, had its World Premiere at the Slamdance Film Festival. Having found fame and fortune with his debut novel, Richard McMurray (Campbell Scott) is trapped in Malibu, stuck in a bad marriage and under contract to complete a novel he hates. When his wife locks him out, he’s suddenly free of both her and the book. After speaking to a writing class taught by his ex-girlfriend, he finds himself crashing on the couch of a couple of female students, and begins to secretly write about their lives. They, in turn, write their own short stories, which seem to be taunts directed at him. An elaborate game of cat and mouse ensues......The film premiere will be followed by the legendary Gen Art Launch Party at The Park. 

The Festival closes on April 17th with the New York Premiere of HE WAS A QUIET MAN, by director Frank Cappello. The film, which had its world premiere at last month's South By Southwest Film Festival, stars  Christian Slater, Elisha Cuthbert, William H. Macy, Sascha Knopf and Jamison Jones. This is the quirky tale of Bob Maconel (played by an almost unrecognizable Christian Slater), who after another bad day in a dull gray lonely cubicle, manages to cross the thin line from being a potential killer to an inadvertent hero. In the process, he save a woman's life, who becomes the object of his desire. The Closing Night bash is at The Gallery, one of Chelsea's hottest new clubs. Celebrity guests expected to attend include Timothy Hutton, Dylan Baker, Elisa Caplan, Izabella Miko and Christian Slater.

This year, Gen Art announces two new initiatives to further enhance their national and international presence. Festival sponsor Acura will help Gen Art launch the debut of the Gen Art Chicago Film Festival, taking place in the Windy City from June 25 to 29. Like the New York festival, each night will showcase the MidWest premiere of one feature and one short followed by a party at one of Chicago ’s hottest venues. In a partnership with Starbucks and Global Green USA, the Festival has launched the Gen Art Online Film Festival.  A select panel of judges will select seven short films based on originality, quality and relevance with the festival’s ‘green' theme.  Artists were invited to share their thoughts, concerns, hopes, and visions about the growing climate crisis. Film submissions were accepted until March 21, 2007.  The seven short films are currently available for viewing online at: www.genartfilmfestival.com/online and through an interactive avatar based environment on www.planetgreengame.com.  Through online voting, one of the seven filmmakers will win a $2500 prize package and a screening at the Gen Art Film Festival.

All screenings are held at Clearview's Chelsea West Theater. For more information on the full Gen Art Film Festival program, log on to the Festival website: www.genartfilmfestival.com and continue to visit the FILM NEW YORK website (www.filmnewyork.fest21.com) for more stories on the films, the personalities and the parties of the 2007 Gen Art Film Festival.

Sandy Mandelberger, Film New York Editor