An Oscar-nominated animated film, "The Secret of Kells," is among the early selections announced for the 360/365 George Eastman House Film Festival. More than 300 films were submitted for the film festival, scheduled May 5 to 10. That's twice the number of submissions from last year, festival officials said.
"We're thrilled with the number of films we have received from around the world for this year's festival," said Linda Moroney, managing director of the 360/365, said in a statement. "We are now spending countless hours watching and selecting the highest quality films that will appeal to the wide variety of audiences in Rochester."
A few films have already been selected. In addition to "The Secret of Kells" the Michael Caine-starring "Harry Brown" was picked. "Harry Brown," which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last September, is the story of an elderly ex-serviceman and widower looking to avenge his best friend's murder by doling out his own form of justice.
"The Secret of Kells" is the animated story of the boy behind the famed Book of Kells, an ancient but unfinished book filled with secret wisdom and power. The film premiered last January in France and has appeared at numerous festivals, including several in the United States where it is scheduled to begin a limited theatrical release today.
The artistic vision for the new festival is led by Jim Healy, director of programming, who also serves as George Eastman House's assistant curator of motion pictures. Healy leads a team of internationally recognized industry leaders for the film festival, including Gannett News Service retired national chief film critic, Jack Garner, and award-winning independent filmmaker, Linda Moroney, who is managing director of 360/365.
Throughout the course of the six-day festival, programs will include screenings of features, documentaries, shorts and children's and young adult programs, as well as master classes and panel discussions in the Eastman House's Curtis Theatre. Many of the festival's screenings will take place in the Eastman House's 535-seat Dryden Theatre, with additional screenings across the Greater Rochester Region, including the Little Theatre.
In addition to featuring contemporary American independent and international cinema, a portion of festival programming will focus on the achievements of women in filmmaking. With Eastman House being one of the world's oldest and largest motion-picture archives, as well as a world-leader in film preservation, the festival will feature a selection of preservation screenings.
The 360/365 grew out of the Rochester High Falls International Film Festival, which focused its programming on the achievements of women in filmmaking. The new festival expands its programming with a wide range of films appealing to all audiences, age ranges, and personal tastes. The collaboration with George Eastman House grew from its longstanding relationship with the festival and marks the first time a major film archive has aligned with a contemporary film festival.