Albuquerque Film Festival Returns August 25-29, 2010

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Film for Change presents the second annual Albuquerque Film Festival (http://www.abqfilmfestival.com) August 25-29, 2010. The sophomore festival will open on August 25th with a screening of the 1971 classic "Two-Lane Blacktop" to be introduced by Director Monte Hellman. Also on the schedule is the New Mexico-filmed feature "The Dry Land" playing at the National Hispanic Cultural Center (http://www.nhccnm.org) with Director Ryan Piers Williams and actress America Ferrera in attendance. The second annual Albuquerque Film Festival will also feature workshops, live musical performances and more than 30 films. Confirmed guests include Marvel Director of Games Todd Jefferson and actor Giancarlo Esposito of "Breaking Bad." In 2009, the festival featured dozens of films and attracted nearly 3,000 attendees as well as special guest Dennis Hopper, which organizers hope to build on this year.

The festival will feature workshops, panels, parties and screenings at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Albuquerque. Workshops will be part of a continuous partnership with the Duke City Shootout and focus on directing, writing, acting, producing and post-production skills. Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Albuquerque highlights include a special musical performance from legendary rock band Queensryche and Waylon Payne ("Walk the Line") and more at the filmmaker's lounge. 

Rich Henrich, Director of the Albuquerque Film Festival, said, "We are so pleased to return to Albuquerque. We've made a number of exciting changes to the Festival that we hope will do much to expose the people of Albuquerque to the film industry and members of the film industry to the Duke City. We're especially excited to be joining the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Albuquerque adding another festive element to what is already the best summer event in Albuquerque."

Festival passes and single-event tickets are available at http://www.abqfilmfestival.com. Venues include the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Albuquerque, the KiMo Theatre, the Guild Cinema, the National Hispanic Cultural Center, Aux Dog Theatre, Southwest Film Center and other venues throughout the city.

"Albuquerque has become a true powerhouse for film and visitors to our city during this event will have the chance to experience components of that excitement," said Dale Lockett, president/CEO of the Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau (http://www.ItsATrip.org).

SOURCE Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau