“I guarantee the next 12 days and nights of Cinequest will be a cabaret,” Cinequest Co-founder and Executive Director Halfdan Hussey promised upon greeting the opening night crowd.

Hussey urged festival-goers to connect with each other—and to discover films and forums that matter, Maverick legends and fun.

“A whole lot of fun, because we need that, too, as we’re stimulating our minds and our souls,” Hussey added.

More than 1,000 people flocked to the world premiere of Paul Leuer’s “Eden Court” at the gorgeous California Theatre in San Jose, California. The beautifully restored 1927 movie palace is one of three downtown venues in which audiences can experience the discovery festival. An estimated 80,000 film lovers are expected to attend the 250 screenings, representing films from 34 countries. Over 80 films will be presented with 40 making their world, North American and U.S. debuts.


Paul LeuerWhen introducing “Eden Court,” Leuer stated that most movies portray the one-in-a-million success story. The indie film that he co-produced, co-wrote and directed takes the opposite approach, focusing on one of the 999,999 who fails to realize his dreams. Although the comedy starring Thomas Lennon (“Reno 911”) and Kimberly Williams -Paisley (“Father of the Bride”) was a disappointment, it didn’t dampen the mood at the opening night gala held at the nearby Paragon Restaurant & Bar in the Hotel Montgomery.

This year’s Maverick Spirit Award recipients are actors Michael Keaton (“Batman,” “Beetlejuice”), Danny Glover (“The Royal Tenenbaums,” “To Sleep with Anger”) and John Leguizamo (“Moulin Rouge,” “E.R.,” “Ice Age”); screenwriter Michael Arndt (“Little Miss Sunshine”); and producer-screenwriter Bobby Moresco (“Million Dollar Baby,” “Crash”).

Film and Technology forums will include Day of Distribution, two days devoted to Sight, Sound & the Dollar Sign, and Day of the Writer.

Cinequest 18 will wrap on March 9 with Charles Oliver’s “Take,” a drama starring Minnie Driver (“”Grosse Pointe Blank,” “The Riches”) and Jeremy Renner (“North Country”).

--Susan Tavernetti