8th ANNUAL PHOENIX FILM FESTIVAL KICKS OFF THIS THURSDAY, 4/3!

WHAT: The 8th Annual Phoenix Film Festival - Arizona's largest film festival.

WHEN: Thursday, April 3rd through Thursday, April 10th, 2008

WHERE: Harkins Scottsdale 101 & Cine Capri

CELEBRITIES: Shane West (ER, The League of Extraordinary Gentleman), Christopher Masterson (Malcolm in the Middle), Pras Michel (Hip hop group The Fugees), Tom Arnold (Happy Endings), Dick Van Dyke (The Dick Van Dyke Show), Johnathan Schaech (That Thing You Do!)

OPENING The 8th Annual Phoenix Film Festival kicks off at 7:30 p.m. with the screening of showcase

NIGHT: feature The Visitor. Director Thomas McCarthy (The Station Agent) and star Haaz Sleiman (American Dreamz) will be in attendance.

FRIDAY: Public Film Screenings begins at 9a.m.

Friday morning marks the 2nd Middle and High School Educational Outreach Seminar.

Students will engage in panel discussions with local, national, celebrity, and independent

filmmakers on topics such as documentary films and narrative films

Actor Tom Arnold will be on hand for a Q&A following a screening of the film Remarkable Power!, also starring Kevin Nealon and Christopher Titus, at 5:15 p.m.

Screening of the Phoenix Premiere of Then She Found Me, starring Helen Hunt, Bette Midler,

Matthew Broderick, and Colin Firth at 7 p.m.

Pras Michel and Dick Van Dyke will be on hand to talk about their film, Skid Row.

Friday Night Party from 9p.m. to 1a.m..

SATURDAY: Public film screenings begin at 9a.m.

The Forbidden Kingdom, starring Jet Li and Jackie Chan, will have its Arizona Premiere at 7:30 p.m.

What We Do Is Secret will screen at 8:05 p.m. Actor Shane West will hose a Q&A session after the film.

Jonathan Schaech (That Thing You Do!) will attend the screening if his new film Organizm at 10:45 p.m. .

Saturday Night Bash from 9p.m. to 1a.m. featuring the live karaoke band The Instant Classics.

SUNDAY: Public Film Screenings begin at 9a.m.

Screening of the Sundance Festival favorite, Young@Heart at 7:30 p.m. in the Cine Capri

Theatre

in the Cine Capri Theatre.

The Sunday night Awards Party begins at 9:30 p.m.

MONDAY: Public film screenings begin at 5p.m.

Uncross The Stars, starring Barbara Hershey and Ron Perlman, premieres at 9:20 p.m.

TUESDAY: Public screenings begin at 5p.m.

Screening of the locally produced film, Jake's Corner, starring Richard Tyson.

Today is your second chance to see Young@Heart, as well as the opening night film, The

Visitor.

WEDNESDAY: Public screenings begin at 5p.m.

Screening of Academy Award Nominated film, Mongol.

Screenings of Showcase Feature films Fugitive Pieces and Son of Rambow.

THURSDAY: Public screenings begin at 5p.m.

Screening of Closing Night film, The Life Before Her Eyes, starring Uma Thurman and Evan

Rachel Wood.

Festival Closing Night Party at Buffalo Wild Wings at 9:00p.m.

EDUCATIONAL: The Phoenix Film Festival and IFP Phoenix invites teachers and

OUTREACH students interested in the art of filmmaking to participate in a series of educational

Seminars that take place during the day throughout this year's festival.

TICKETS: Opening Night Event - $40

Individual - $10

Flex - $30

Festival - $150

VIP - $425