CIFF Doc Series and Animation

CIFF DOC SERIES, FASHION IN FILM, AND AN ANIMATED FEATURE FILM ROUND OUT THURSDAY'S CALGARY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAM

Calgary, AB ’Äì With only four days remaining of the 9^th Annual Calgary International Film Festival, time is running out to catch the many cinematic gems being presented at this year's event. This year, the festival has been marked with a strong line-up of documentaries, narrative features, and parties, and these great shows and fantastic events will continue until Sunday's close.

THURSDAY NIGHT DOCS

The Sweetest Embrace: Return to Afghanistan

Soorgul and Amir return to their country in search of their families after 16 years of living as refugees. When their paths diverge, their futures are filled with unexpected and unpredictable turns as they seek to find resolution in their lives. The Sweetest Embrace tells an intimate story set against one of the world's harshest, and yet beautiful, landscapes, where life has been shaped by war, but where spirit remains resilient.

Thursday, September 25, 2008 7:00 p.m. @ Cineplex Eau Claire

Bird's Nest

Bird's Nest follows two Swiss architects on two very different projects: the national stadium for the Olympic summer games in Beijing and a city area in the provincial town of Jinhua, China, as they build bridges between two cultures, two architectural traditions and two political systems. The documentary shows how Chinese culture affects the construction work, the specific architectonic form and the struggle to achieve it, giving insight about the society, the culture and everyday life in China.

Thursday, September 25, 2008 9:15 p.m. @ The Globe Upstairs

FASHION PICK

Gloss

This entry into the Life in Focus: Fashion in Film series is a satirical fairytale set in modern Russia, where unbridled capitalism has created a seedy, decadent lifestyle for Moscow's nouveau rich. Galya goes to Moscow to realize her dream of becoming a supermodel, but is promptly rejected and told she is too gangly to become a model. Through perseverance and help from her gangster ex-beau, she is catapulted to the cover of magazines ’Äì though in ways she never expected.

Thursday, September 25, 2008 9:30 p.m. @ The Globe Downstairs

Saturday, September 27, 2008 12:30 p.m. @ The Globe Downstairs

AMERICAN INDY ANIMATED FEATURE

Sita Sings the Blues

Three hilarious shadow puppets narrate both ancient tragedy and modern comedy in this beautifully animated interpretation of the Indian epic Ramayana. Director Nina Paley varies her rich animation, site gags and a 1920s jazz soundtrack by legendary singer Annette Hanshaw in order to tell "The Greatest Break-Up Story Ever Told."

Thursday, September 25, 2008 7:00 p.m. @ The Uptown Downstairs

Saturday, September 27, 2008 9:15 p.m. @ Cineplex Westhills

The complete 2008 CIFF line-up, as well as festival tickets and passes, are available online at www.calgaryfilm.com from August 25, 2008. The Fido Box Office opens at Eau Claire Market and the CIFF Souvenir Program Guide goes on sale at all Calgary Starbucks locations on September 5, 2008.

About CIFF

Founded in 1998, the Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) is a charitable, not-for-profit, cultural organization based in Alberta, Canada. Inspired by the pioneering spirit and maverick ideals of the community, CIFF showcases films that break traditional boundaries and forge new cinematic ground. CIFF celebrates an unparalleled breadth and depth of cultural diversity through the meaningful, accessible, and artistic medium of film and engages thousands of artists to showcase the best films from filmmakers in over 100 countries around the world. CIFF is held annually at the end of September, screening over 200 films and hosting several gala events, awards, and special presentations. For more information visit www.calgaryfilm.com