44TH CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES ROSTER of FILMS from MORE THAN 45 COUNTRIES

Press Contact:
Laura Silverman / Heather Connor
The Silverman Group, Inc.
312.932.9965 / 312.932.9911
laura@silvermangroupchicago.com

Lori Hile
Chicago International Film Festival
312.683.0121 ext. 103
publicity@chicagofilmfestival.com

The 44^th Chicago International Film Festival, October 16 - 29, 2008, presented by Cinema/Chicago, will offer moviegoers the best new films from around the world, with several exciting additions, including a "Festival Village" and the launch of Green Screen, a program celebrating our natural environment, the power and artistry of filmmaking, and the intersection between the two. In its fifth decade, the Festival continues to present special appearances by legendary international actors and directors, along with the impressive film line-up for which the Festival is known. Audiences this year will be captivated by 116 feature films, 38 short and student films, and 18 documentaries from more than 45 countries, showcasing both established and promising new filmmakers.

"For 44 years, we've been committed to taking you all across the globe to discover some of the most exciting cinema the world has to offer, right here in Chicago for two weeks only," said Michael Kutza, Founder and Artistic Director of the Chicago International Film Festival. "This isn't your typical Saturday night out at the movies - these are once-in-a-lifetime events. And this year we've set up camp in a new Festival Village to create an even stronger sense of community where you can come out, see the films, meet the people who make them, mingle with your fellow film fans, and most importantly see the world in a whole new way."

Highlights (in chronological order) include: