HOLLYWOOD, CA (September 5, 2002)  The City of the Angels Film Festival announces that its upcoming ninth annual event will examine the American Dream. The festival is open to the general public and will be held Friday - Sunday, Nov. 1-3, 2002, at the Directors Guild of America, 7920 Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles.

In addition, on Saturday night at 8:30, the festival and Family Theater Productions will present  a special sneak preview of Kevin Kline’s new movie, The Emperor’s Club (Universal Studios),  about a dedicated and inspiring Classics professor who has devoted his life to teaching at an elite boys’ prep school. Director Michael Hoffman will be available following the screening to discuss the film and its relevance to the American Dream.

Other special guests scheduled to talk about their films over the three-day festival include director Daniel Petrie (A Raisin in the Sun), writer/director Phil Alden Robinson (Field of Dreams), and writer Tony Bui (Green Dragon). 

The festival’s lineup of movies and special panelists will grapple with the questions: What is the American Dream? Is there only one American Dream -- or several? Who is included? What does it take to obtain it? Are they the same now as they were before 9/11? The shocking assault on the World Trade Center has sparked national soul searching. Is our freedom a threat to others? What about our way of life so enraged our enemies? How far are we willing to go to defend our rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”?

“Movies serve as a key creator and promoter of the American Dream,” says festival producer Craig Detweiler. “The immigrants who founded our film studios came to America in search of opportunity. They faced persecution and racism, yet found riches way out West. The irony of their experience, America as a land of false promises and yet tremendous potential, informs our weekend. We look to films as a conversation starter, an entree into the myths, legends, and truths within our diverse American Dreams.”

Opening night of the festival, which begins at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, will feature two diverse visions of American Dreams, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and Wall Street. Other films featured over the weekend include Raisin in the Sun, George Washington, Bottle Rocket, Fight Club, Green Dragon, Thelma and Louise, and Field of Dreams.

Festival organizers also plan two special days of documentaries, including Startup.com, In Between Days, Salesman, Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision, Death on a Friendly Border, and Americana, Forever Rebel. Sunday’s documentary program focuses on the dreams and problems of America’s schools: Sing, Hoop Dreams, The First Year, Spellbound, and A.K.A. Creek: Educating a Big City School Boy. 

On Friday, at 9:00 a.m., Fuller Theological Seminary offers Reel Spirituality 101, a one-day master’s-level class dedicated to visual literacy — equipping today’s ministers and image-makers to understand tomorrow’s movies, taught by an array of church and media professionals. To register, visit the Web site at www.fuller.edu/brehmcenter/reelspirituality/reel101.html.

On Saturday, Family Theater Productions, will hold its annual Angelus Awards, recognizing and showcasing student films that explore the complexity of the human condition with creativity and respect. 

On Sunday, at 12:00 p.m., festival organizers plan a “Critical Issues Forum: Writing the American Dream,” which will be free and open to the public. Screenwriter Ron Austin will moderate the forum, focusing on such questions as: Where did the American Dream come from? Where is it going? What kinds of creative responses are possible after 9/11? What type of future will we write for ourselves? 

The purpose of the City of the Angels Film Festival is to bring together spiritually charged filmmakers, media-savvy theologians, and passionate movie viewers eager to discuss films that raise ultimate questions. “Our festival is about screening great films that stimulate imagination and alter our thinking,” says festival chair Scott Young.  

The City of the Angels Film Festival draws participants and audiences from all over the country. In addition to having the opportunity to see these films on the big screen for perhaps the first time, audiences can stay after the films to listen to – and participate in – discussions led by expert panels of filmmakers and members of the religious and academic communities in Southern California.  

Festival tickets go on sale September 6. The cost of admission to each film screening is $8 for general admission and $7 for seniors and students with ID. Ticket costs for groups of 10 are discounted by $1 per ticket. A limited number of all-festival passes are also available for $60.00. Admission is free to all short films and documentaries. Tickets may be purchased online at www.cityofangelsfilmfest.org (see “schedule”).

Major sponsors for this year's festival include Fuller Theological Seminary, Family Theater Productions, Water’s Edge Communications, and Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship.