Sir Ben Kingsley, an Oscar winner for his lead role in GANDHI and an Oscar nominee for his role in SEXY BEAST, will receive the Maverick Spirit Award at the Cinequest Film Festival, to be held in the city of San Jose, California from March 1 to 12.

Kingsley will present An Afternoon with Sir Ben Kingsley at the historic California Theater in downtown San Jose on March 5th. He will speak about his television, stage and film careers, which have made him one of the most distinguished actors of our time.

A past Maverick Spirit Award winner, William H. Macy (FARGO), returns to the Festival to give a talk following the screening of EDMOND, his latest collaboration with Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and screenwriter David Mamet. The film, directed by Stuart Gordon (RE-ANIMATOR), was one of the most talked about films at the Telluride Film Festival.

The film, adapted by Mamet from his stage play, follows a cynical businessman as he sets out on a terrifying, existential search for truth, self-discovery and salvation.
The film also stars Julia Stiles, Joe Mantegna, Bai Ling, Mena Suvari, Denise Richards and Dylan Walsh.

The Festival opens on March 1st with the US Premiere of MANUAL FOR LOVE STORIES, a Brazilian romantic comedy directed by José Roberto Torero. The Festival Closing Night film is MY JEALOUS BARBER, an irreverent comedy from Norway, directed by Annette Sjursen.

The Cinequest Film Festival, which is known for its embrace of young filmmakers and independent films, will screen a mix of American independent and international films during its 11 day stint. The Festival’s motto is “Inspiring The Maverick in All of Us”…..a worthy goal for such an event.

Sandy Mandelberger
Industry Editor