[Archived] Filmmakers and Ambassadors In Town During the Four-Day Celebration of Cinema – 5th Annual Alexandria Film Festival November 3-6

For Immediate Release: October 31, 2011

Ambassadors from El Salvador and Costa Rica are scheduled to attend films from their respective countries during the 5th Annual Alexandria Film Festival, November 3-6, 2011. Local and international filmmakers will be in attendance to talk with the audience.

The Honorable Francisco Altschul, Ambassador of El Salvador to the United States, will attend the November 4 outdoor celebration of Latino Film at the Four Mile Run Community Center and will speak on the status of devastating flooding that has affected thousands of people in El Salvador. A silent auction will be held to benefit displaced individuals and families.

Friday night’s outdoor film screening will include two films from El Salvador; Ausentes by Director Tomas Guevara and Cinema Libertad, a feature film by Director Arturo Menendez.

Costa Rica’s Ambassador to the United States, the Honorable Muni Fueres, will introduce the Alexandria premiere of Gestacion, a story of two teenagers dealing with an unexpected pregnancy in contemporary Costa Rica. The film will be screened Saturday, November 5 at the George Washington Masonic Monument in Alexandria.

The 2011 lineup includes 24 premieres representing 13 different countries.  The festival begins with the Washington, D.C. premiere of “Ed Hardy Tattoo the World,” an engaging film about pop icon Ed Hardy’s unexpected rise to cult status and his phenomenal influence on pop culture.

The film will be shown at a special opening night event for patrons on Thursday, November 3, with a kick-off party at Agua Viva Restaurant (ticket to Ed Hardy Tattoo the World or a Film Fest Pass required for entry), film screening at the Old Town Theater on King Street, followed by discussions with Director Emiko Omori.  An opening night after party will follow at Red Rocks Pizza Napolitano. Festival Tickets are $10 for films or showcases or $75 for a four-day Fest Pass. For a complete schedule and to purchase tickets online, visit www.AlexandriaFilm.org.

The 2011 Film Festival organized and presented by the Alexandria Commission for the Arts and the Alexandria Office of the Arts, Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities exhibits both curated and juried films that range in length from 5 minutes to 2 hours and cover a wide range of subject matter. The Film Festival is sponsored by Jen Walker Realtor, the George Washington Masonic Memorial, Athenaeum, Alexandria Gazette Packet, Hotel Monaco, Alexandria Times, Mount Vernon Village Center, Alexandria Hyundai, Pulte Homes at Potomac Yard, Fannon Fine Printing, Wilson Grand and Alexandria Lodge 22.

For additional information, contact Alisa Carrel, Deputy Director, Office of the Arts, at alisa.carrel@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.5590.