Charleston International Film Festival Announces 2010 Official Selections and Schedule

For Immediate Release, March 2010

The 3rd Annual Charleston International Film Festival (CIFF), South Carolina’s premiere event for independent filmmakers and film enthusiasts, would like to announce and congratulate its 2010 Official Selections and schedule of over 50 films, from 6 different countries, with most from the U.S., and 14 from filmmakers in the southeast region and the Lowcountry, range in categories from features, shorts, documentaries and animation. The official selection will represent the pinnacle of independent filmmaking talent from around the world. The full schedule with film details, pictures and trailers, as well as screenplay finalists are all online at www.CharlestonIFF.com. The American Theater (446 King Street) will host all screenings as Opening Night kicks off the four day event on Thursday, April 8 at 7:00 PM beginning with the short film ‘TRUE BEAUTY THIS NIGHT’ by filmmaker Peter Besson, followed by the World Premiere of the feature film ‘THE 5TH QUARTER’ by veteran filmmaker and winner of the Jury Award, Best Feature (‘CRAZY’) in 2008, Rick Bieber. The other movie block featured on opening night, includes local filmmaker, Kevin Harrison’s documentary ‘HAUNTED CHARLESTON’ as well as a variety of dark shorts. Most of the films in this year’s festival are premieres or sneak previews, and will be screened in blocks consisting of two or more films.

In addition to our film and screenplay competitions, three panels and seminars will be offered free of charge. They include: FILM DISTRIBUTION WORKSHOP with Michael Katchman, STATE OF FILM in SOUTH CAROLINA seminar presented by the SC Film Commission, and an EDITING WORKSHOP sponsored by Center for the Documentary at the College of Charleston.

Along with the excellent films and educational workshops, this year’s festival will also host nightly after-parties, which will culminate on the fourth and final night at the Awards Gala in the Gold Ballroom at the Francis Marion Hotel and will recognize the very best of filmmaking and writing displayed during the competition.

Tickets are available online at www.CharlestonIFF.com or by contacting the CIFF office at (843) 817-1617. Price per screening block is $8.00 in advance or $9.00 at the door. Festival passes are available that give access to all screenings, panels and parties (excluding the awards dinner) for $99.

About CIFF
Charleston International Film Festival (CIFF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with the mission to educate, entertain, and inspire through the art and science of film. Co-founded in 2007, by film producer Summer Spooner and Charleston native Brian Peacher, the festival showcases over 50 short films, features and documentaries from around the world. Attendees gather for four days April 8-11, 2010 to attend premieres, panels, special events and the Annual Awards Gala. 2010 Sponsors include: Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, Stolichnaya Vodka, The Art Institute of Charleston, Hendrick’s Gin, PDA, Sailor Jerry Rum, Charleston Magazine, Rick Hendrick BMW, Stella Artois, Center for the Documentary at the College of Charleston, Palmetto Brewery, Cinebarre, Renaissart and the SC Film Commission.