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To the superstitious, 13 is a dreaded number, but for the Cinequest film festival, it's just the latest milestone. The San Jose film festival is marking its 13th year of showcasing edgy, independent films from all over the world, as well as from right here in the Bay Area.
Even in the midst of an economic downturn (the second that the festival, despite its tender years, has had to weather), Cinequest has continued to grow. The festival is only getting better with age, having been named one of the 10 best film festivals in the world by The Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide. This year's program includes more films than ever before, and expected attendance is also the highest ever: 54,000.
Cinequest 13, which runs Feb. 27 through March 9, offers more than 64 international feature-length films, 20 of which are world premieres; eight collections of short films; the Latino Celebration Film Program; the Pacific Basin Showcase; the Maverick Competition; and "Cinequest DXD: Digital Film Showcase and Media Technology Forums" (see the related story on last page of this section).
The festival also offers a number of special events, including opening and closing night galas, and one of Cinequest's most popular events, the Maverick Spirit awards, given each year to filmmakers who are known for groundbreaking work outside mainstream filmmaking. Recent recipients have included Spike Lee and Sir Ian McKellen. This year's recipients are actors James Woods, William H. Macy, Val Kilmer, director Stephen Frears, controversial animator Ralph Bakshi and actress Lupe Ontiveros.
Award recipients will appear at individual award presentation events, which will be followed by a moderated discussion.
Cinequest takes place Feb. 27March 9 at the Camera One and Camera Three theaters and the San José Repertory Theatre in downtown San Jose and at the Camera 7 theater in Campbell. For more information, visit www.cinequest.org. Tickets can be purchased on www.cinequest.org or by calling 408.295.FEST.
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