When it Rains it Pours in San Jose

Heavy rain didn't dampen spirits Sunday night, as the Cinequest San Jose Film Festival came to a thunderous close. Pass and ticket holders braved the drizzle for over an hour before trickling into the sold-out screening of Alejandro González Iñárritu's ambitious Amores Perros, the Oscar nominee for best foreign-language film from Mexico.

Cinequest Expands to Palo Alto

Cinequest reaches more of the Bay Area now than ever before! Cinequest is pleased to announce its new expansion into Palo Alto, as presented by the The Chronicle. An exciting cross-section of the finest Maverick films will screen at Landmark's Aquarius Theatre, nestled in the heart of Palo Alto's downtown. The Aquarius features two separate houses united by underwater-inspired murals and décor, and is an exciting addition to the Cinequest Festival.

"Cinequest is the Silicon Valley's premiere film and media technology event," says Cinequest Executive Director Halfdan Hussey, "so it is fitting Cinequest partners with The Chronicle to expand to Palo Alto."

Cinequest screenings at the Aquarius will be held February 26 through March 1. Programming information or ticket purchase is available online at www.cinequest.org. For additional information please phone Cinequest at (408) 295-FEST. The Aquarius is located at 430 Emerson Street in Palo Alto, just off University Avenue.

Silicon Valley World Premiere Opens Cinequest

Cinequest San Jose Film Festival inaugurates its second decade on Thursday, February 22 with the highly anticipated WORLD PREMIERE of Your Guardian, written and directed by Silicon Valley filmmaker Kari Nevil. Cinequest lives up to its rep by kicking off with this original story of a daughter's quest for family and forgiveness. Irene Bedard (the young acting sensation from Smoke Signals) stars as a young woman raised by drag queens whose search for her real mother compels her to the mystical terrain of Princeton, California - just north of Half Moon Bay - where fate is irrevocable and love boundless.

"Your Guardian represents the Cinequest vision," says Programming Director Mike Rabehl. "It's a timeless story but inventively retold such that it fits the maverick spirit."

Cinequest is honored to have director Kari Nevil in downtown San Jose for both opening night screenings: first at Camera Three Cinemas for the 7:00PM show, and then around the corner at Camera One Cinema for the 7:15PM show. After the film, audiences will meet a few blocks away at Scott's Seafood Grill and Bar, 185 Park Avenue, for Cinequest's Opening Night Gala Party. Film lovers and partygoers will enjoy wonderful food including Scott's seared Ahi and sushi, and, of course, the bar will be open.

Cannes Winner Closes Cinequest

Three people in Mexico City don't realize it, but their lives are about to be intertwined through circumstance. As they try to escape their homes and pasts, destiny weighs heavy. The city holds its own.

Cinequest San Jose Film Festival closes its ten-day festival with an Award-Winning film from the recent Cannes Film Festival. Alejandro González Iñárritu's debut feature Amores Perros - a trio of tales connected by dogs, the inescapable Mexico City, and a car crash - will screen on Sunday, March 4th. Brutal and beautiful, this triptych sends its disparate character's hopes and desires rushing toward the same inevitable and dramatic fate.

Amores Perros will be screened twice simultaneously: at the Camera One Cinema (6:00PM) and at the Camera Three Theaters (6:30PM), and director Iñárritu will be present to introduce his film to both audiences. Afterwards, Cinequest will send both audiences rushing out to convene at A.P. Stump's a few blocks away (163 West Santa Clara Street) for the Closing Night Gala. Last year's sell-out party promises once again to be a sumptuous feast of AP Stump's New American hors d'oeuvres and desserts, and San Jose's most partying movie buffs.

Find additional information online at www.cinequest.org or buy tickets by phone (408) 295-FEST. Premiere Screening & Party: $35 (no screening-only tickets)
Camera One Cinema: 366 1st St.
Camera Three Cinemas: 288 S. 2nd St.

About Cinequest

It was in the spirit of the maverick that Cinequest was founded by filmmakers and Silicon Valley engineers. Through a personable showcase of maverick films, filmmakers and the technology that is reshaping the industry, Cinequest works to inspire and enable mavericks in their creative quests. Cinequest San Jose Film Festival is located in the heart of the Silicon Valley.