Editor

CineVegas Wins Over The Las Vegas Strip

Cinevegas Film Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada, started off their sixth year with the promise of the new hot films of the summer season. Opening night “D.E.B.S“ was the pick to screen as Sin City welcomes filmgoers and the industry to this entertainment gambling mecca.
D.E.B.S. is directed by Angela Robinson and tells the story of an elite crime-fighting group of girls whose leader, played by Sara Foster falls for the archenemy of the group. This is the first lesbian themed film rated PG 13 being distributed by Screen Gems and set for release later this summer.

An amazing presentation poolside at Caesar's Palace for the Opening Night Gala. With everyone from Dennis Hopper, Dean Stockwell, Blueman Group, cast of the Sopranos, cast of Vegas and Daisy Fuentes gracing the crowd. Platforms were setup in the pools as Vegas dancers steamed up the waters. This also coincided with the one-year anniversary of Vegas magazine and painted models wore the Vegas Magazine logo and not much more as they welcomed the guest.

This year the Festival will honor a wide variety of stars for their contribution to the film industry. The awards presented this year are: Marquee Award Jack Nicholson, Half-Life Award, Sean Penn, Robin Wright-Penn and Holly Hunter. The VanGuard Director Award recipients: Bruce Conner, Julian Schnabel and David Lynch. A new category is the Changed My Life Award that went to Dean Stockwell.

There were eight films entered into the “Jackpot” category and the buzz and anticipation spun like a roulette wheel. With a total of 85 films, 12 World Premieres from 8 countries one can only say Viva Las Vegas. A deep rich array of films screened, unveiling the latest talents of Trevor Groth, and Mike Plante Programmers of Cinevegas. Groth and Plante also programs for the Sundance Film Festival. Cinevegas draws 30,000 filmgoers away from Draw Poker and other gaming vices as they experience the seminars, symposiums, parties, and premier screenings.

The nine-day Festival is a perfect backdrop off the Strip at the Palms Hotel the host location. This hotel hot spot was the latest in the 13th season MTV Real World Program, where seven people are picked to live together for fourteen weeks and be taped 24/7. With glitz and glamour festival guest may watch a film, play Blackjack, and then dance the rest of the night away at the hot dance club Rain.

The CineVegas International Film Festival is one of the most successful and fastest growing festivals in the world and under EDC management. EDC is a private, non-profit organization that was established in 1998 to foster entertainment industry growth through education and the production of premiere international events, including the CineVegas International Film Festival, thereby cultivating economic diversification. CineVegas' featured segments of American Independents and morning conferences with celebrated writers, nine nights of sponsor events and a one-of-a-kind poolside opening night gala make CineVegas not just a festival, but also, a total entertainment experience.

The receptions, parties and intimate soiree are numerous up and down the famous Vegas Strip. A sample of locals offered for partying with the festival groups: MGM Grand, Paris, Venetian Casino, Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace and Mandalay Bay Hotel. By the time the Festival ends your knowledge of Vegas hot spots will be complete. CineVegas is the Festival of Sin City with luck and a good hand of cards it will sure to be a dynamic Festival for years to come.
For more information visit www.cinevegas.com
Keiko Beatie