Las Vegas Film Festival..STARS and Fab Films! Get your tix!

The fifth annual, Las Vegas Film Festival begins Thursday, July 19 and runs through Saturday, July 22, 2012 at the LVH – Las Vegas Hotel. The four day event will showcase more than sixty original films and documentaries, bringing inspiring culture and creativity to the Las Vegas arts and entertainment community. 

Opening the event, Thursday July 19th , is the much anticipated Asian-American and Asian-international film block, curated by the San Diego Asian Film Festival—one of the nation’s largest exhibitors of Asian cinema. For the second year in a row, the Filmmakers and Screenwriters networking dinner will be held at Piero’s Restaurant, located at: 355 Convention Center Drive. Tickets to the dinner are $100 and available on a first come first served basis no later than July 7th. They can be purchased online at 2012lvfilmfest.eventbrite.com The VIP San Diego Asian Film Festival after-party will take place at Benihana: 3000 Paradise Rd.

“Now in its fifth year, the Las Vegas Film Festival continues to grow and build momentum.” says Festival Director Milo Kostelecky. “We’re showcasing a diverse range of award-winning films, bringing greater exposure to Las Vegas as a major filmmaking destination.”

Taking to the red carpet this year is two of Hollywood’s biggest stars: Oscar award winning actor Louis Gossett Jr. and Caroline in the City star, Lea Thompson. Also appearing on the red carpet is Academy Award Nominee, Writer, Douglas Day Stewart, and award winning filmmaker, Ash Adams.

Following the red carpet event on Friday July 20th, the premiere of The Trouble with the Truth, starring Lea Thompson and John Shea will be screened at 8:00 p.m. in the LVH Theater. Lea Thompson, perhaps best known for her roles in Back to the Future I, II and III, Caroline in the City, will be presented with the 2012 Indie Icon Award after the screening. Ending the evening on Friday night all eyes will be on the VIP, opening night after-party, at Central, inside Caesars Palace.

On Saturday, July 21, a special screening of the feature film An Officer and a Gentleman will be shown in the LVH Theater, celebrating the 30 year anniversary—followed by a presentation of the 2012 Indie Icon Award to the film’s critically acclaimed star, Louis Gossett Jr.; also known for such coveted films as The Punisher, Toy Soldiers, Iron Eagle and more. It’s an event not to be missed.

Press conferences for both 2012 Indie Icon Award winners will be held Saturday, July 21, inside the LVH. The Lea Thompson press conference will be at 2 p.m., followed by the Louis Gossett Jr.’s press conference at 3 p.m. All media must have official media credentials. www.lvfilmfest.com/General_Info/Press.aspx

Other notable films to be screened at the festival include: Frankie Go Boom, a feature film starring Ron Perlman, Sam Anderson and Lizzy Caplan; 26 Years: The Dewey Bozella Story, an ESPN Documentary film; Shoot the Moon, a 2012 Cannes Film Festival selection; In Mexico, a short film written, produced and directed by award-winning filmmaker Ash Adams; Louder than Love: The Grande Ballroom Story, a 2012 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Premiere and 2012 Music City Films at Nashville Film Festival Premiere; Marley, a documentary defining Bob Marley's universal appeal and impact on music history and his role as a social and political prophet; and Servitude, a 2012 Newport Beach Film Festival Official Selection feature.

For the third year in a row, the festival will showcase a collection of short films by student filmmakers from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the College of Southern Nevada at 12p.m. on Saturday, July 21.

In addition to the film screenings, the festival will host exclusive Las Vegas premieres, red carpet parties, VIP parties and galas; interactive filmmaker panels, a screenplay competition and a closing awards ceremony on Sunday, July 22. The festival will showcase award-winning feature films, shorts, foreign films, documentaries and animation highlighting the talents of some of the newest and brightest cinematic innovators from around the world.

Tickets for the festival start at $10 for individual screenings, the all-day film pass which includes admittance to all films in a single day for $75 and the High Roller Pass for $150 which includes priority admittance to all films, short film blocks, panels, seminars, parties, special events, and award ceremonies throughout the festival (Thursday night networking dinner not included). For more information and to purchase tickets to film screenings, filmmaker panels and parties, please visit 2012lvfilmfest.eventbrite.com.