Sedona International Film Festival features Oscar-winning movies, directors and nominees, Feb. 21-28

Oscar-winner Michael Moore, TCM’s Robert Osborne, Grammy-winning Songwriter/Musician Maynard Keenan, will be on hand at 16th annual celebration of film

From Aiden Quinn’s “A Shine of Rainbows” to “The Greatest,” a new film by Susan Sarandon and Pierce Brosnan, to an appearance by Oscar-winning documentary director Michael Moore and a series of family friendly movies, the 16th annual Sedona International Film Festival will bring 140 films to eight screens over seven nights from Feb. 21-28, 2010.

Michael Moore

Named the “Fest to Impress” by Movie Maker Magazine, the Festival schedule includes full-length features, shorts, documentaries, animated films, foreign films and student films.

Although the full program is still being developed, highlights to date include:

• 140 films in a range of categories on six screens at the Harkins Sedona 6 Theatres and two specially created intimate 100-seat boutique theaters within walking distance;

• Appearances by Oscar-winning documentary director Michael Moore and screening of three of his films;

• Turner Classic Movies’ host Robert Osborne returns with three classic films: “The Adventures of Robin Hood” (1938) with Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland; “A Place in the Sun” (1951) with Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor and Shelley Winters; and “Leave Her to Heaven” (1945) with Gene Tierney, Cornel Wilde and Vincent Price.

• Aiden Quinn’s “A Shine of Rainbows” as the opening-night film.

• New films by Susan Sarandon and Pierce Brosnan (“The Greatest”) and Barry Levinson (“PolliWood”).

• “Another Harvest Moon,” featuring an all-star cast of Ernest Borgnine, Richard Schiff, Piper Laurie, Doris Roberts, Cybill Shepherd and Anne Meara.

• “Waking Sleeping Beauty,” a documentary about the inner workings and conflicts at Disney during the Michael Eisner years with an appearance in Sedona by director/producer Don Hahn.

• The screening of “Saving Grace B. Jones,” a new film by Connie Stevens, who will be joined in Sedona by Edd Byrnes in a reunion of cast members from the classic TV detective show, “77 Sunset Strip.”

• Up to 8 foreign films being submitted for Best Foreign Films for the Academy Awards.

• The Arizona premiere of multiple Grammy-Award-winner musician-songwriter-actor-wine producer and Jerome resident Maynard James Keenan’s “Blood Into Wine.”

• A “Green Component” featuring workshops on sustainability.

• A series of family-friendly movies for moms, dads and their kids to attend, and much more.

Films will be screened at Harkins Theatre, 2081 W. Highway 89A in Sedona, at The Rouge Theatre, above Red’s Restaurant across the street from the Harkins Theatres, and at Studio Live, a specially-designed space a half-block from the theatres.

Festival week opens on Sunday, Feb. 21 and Monday, Feb. 22 with the annual Festival Kick-Off Preview Nights and receptions at Reds Restaurant. The Festival officially begins Tuesday, Feb. 23 with a full day of screenings, Quinn’s latest film and the Opening Night Party. The Festival’s popular Gala and VIP Tribute will be held on Friday, Feb.26 at the Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa. The awards brunch is scheduled Sunday, Feb. 28 at L’Auberge de Sedona. The rest of the week’s schedule will be announced soon.

Screenings continue the rest of the week with Osborne’s Classic Series starting Wednesday, Feb. 24 with “The Adventures of Robin Hood.” “A Place in the Sun” will show on Thursday, Feb. 25 and “Leave Her to Heaven” will screen on Friday.

The Sedona International Film Festival Workshop and Panel Discussion will cover a range of subjects with presentations by industry experts, award winners, directors, producers,cinematographers and screenwriters.

Pass and Ticket packages can be purchased online by clicking here or by calling (928) 282-1177.