Foursite to screen 45 diverse films

Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Mar 31, 2006 by Jeff Vice Deseret Morning News

Organizers of the Foursite Film Festival want people to know their event is not "just another film festival."

Festival director Scott Halford actually founded the event under the "Just Another" name three years ago but changed its title this year to more accurately reflect the quality and diversity of its program.

"We are extremely proud of the growth and notoriety the Foursite Film Festival has achieved over the last several years," Halford said. "This year promises to be our best yet."

This year, Foursite will include screenings of 45 movies -- five features, 30 short films and 10 documentaries.

Though the films to be shown have not received ratings, Halford said the festival is designed to showcase "diverse, original, independent films that are successful without controversy." (And the festival's Web site, www.foursitefilmfest.com, does includes information on which films may feature mature themes or language.)

That focus appeals to filmmakers like Neil Mandt, who is bringing his mock documentary "Last Stop for Paul" to the festival. Mandt said the event "is gaining notoriety as being one of the best- organized festivals in the country and has a reputation for screening top-quality films."

Foursite will also include the premiere of "White Space," a winter-sports documentary that features performances by Olympic Gold Medal-winning snowboarders Shaun White and Kelly Clark.

Hosting the 2006 event, which runs this weekend, is Peery's Egyptian Theater, an "elegant" theater that Halford said "not only has a state-of-the-art projection and sound system but also accommodates larger audiences with an 800-seat auditorium."

Tickets, which include festival passes, will be available at the door. Organizers have also scheduled a free "Best of the Festival" program Sunday night at 7:30 p.m. following the awards ceremony at 6.

And since the festival's second day is April 1 -- April Fool's Day -- there will be a free screening of comedy shorts Saturday at 6:30 p.m. "And that's no jokes," Halford said. "These films are just plain funny."

If you go

What: Foursite Film Festival

Where: Peery's Egyptian Theater, 2415 Washington Blvd., Ogden

When: Tonight through Saturday, 1:30 p.m.-midnight

How much: $5.50; festival passes, $15.50

Phone: 801-390-0561

Web: www.foursitefilmfest.com

E-mail: jeff@desnews.com