PLUS CAMERIMAGE, the International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography, kicks off its landmark 20th edition this weekend, igniting a week’s worth of film’s from celebrated cinematographers and hosting an array of top industry talent.

The 20th edition of the Festival promises to be the biggest yet, with a lineup of hot new films and considerable star power. 314 films from around the world will be showcased from November 24 to December 1 as all eyes turn to Bydgoszcz for a Festival that has earned its stature as one of Europe’s marquee film festivals and destinations for the biggest films, most recognizable talent and the best cinematographers in the world.

The Festival will kick off on Saturday with Keanu Reeves’ new documentary “Side by Side”, followed by the Polish premiere of Ang Lee’s critically acclaimed “Life of Pi.” Both Reeves and ”Life of Pi” cinematographer Claudio Miranda will be in attendance for the exciting opening gala.

Throughout the week, industry luminaries in town for the 20th anniversary of PLUS CAMERIMAGE will be honoured for their career achievements. Special guests include four-time Academy Award® nominated director, writer and producer David Lynch (“Mulholland Dr.,” “The Elephant Man,” “Blue Velvet”); Academy Award® winning film editor Alan Heim (“All That Jazz,” “Network,” “The Notebook,” “American History X”); Academy Award® winning director Steven Okazaki (“Day of Waiting,” “The Mushroom Club,” “Unfinished Business”); and Two-time Primetime Emmy nominated director Michael Lindsay-Hogg (“Let It Be,” “The Object of Beauty,” “Master Harold…and the Boys”).

Two-time Academy Award® nominee Gus Van Sant (“Good Will Hunting,” “Milk,” “Elephant”) will be present to accept the Festival’s Director Duo Award on behalf of his late friend,  Harris Savides (“American Gangster,” “Zodiac,” “The Game,” “Milk”). As a part of the tribute, the Festival will screen two of their films, “Elephant” and “Last Days.” The “Elephant” screening will take place on Friday, November 30th at 9.30 p.m. in the Opera House, and will be preceded by retrospective by Savides' friends and collaborators. “Last Days” will be screened after the Festival's Closing Gala on Saturday, December 1st.

The 20th PLUS CAMERIMAGE Film Festival boasts an illustrious jury that includes Joel Schumacher, two-time Academy Award® nominated director, writer and producer Alan Parker, Primetime Emmy nominated director and producer Roger Spottiswoode, Primetime Emmy nominated director Michael Lindsay, award-winning director Paweł Łoziński, Academy Award® winning director Steven Okazaki, Academy Award® winning film editor Alan Heim and o cinematographer Karl Walter Lindenlaub.

The Festival’s main competition feature a diverse slate of some of the hottest films from around the globe including:

• Ben Affleck’s Argo; USA, 2012; Cinematographer: Rodrigo Prieto
• Benh Zeitlin’s Beasts of the Southern Wild; USA, 2012; Cinematographer: Ben Richardson
• Rufus Norris’ Broken; UK, 2012; Cinematographer: Rob Hardy
• Tom Tykwer, Andy Wachowski and Lana Wachowski’s Cloud Atlas; USA 2012; Cinematographers: Frank Griebe and John Toll
• Reza Dormishian’s Hatred (Boghz); Iran, 2012; Cinematographer: Touraj Aslani
• Leos Carax’s Holy Motors; France, 2012; Cinematographer: Yves Cape, Caroline Champetier
• Roger Michell’s Hyde Park on Hudson; UK, 2012; Cinematographer: Lol Crawley
• San-cheol Lee and Ah-ga Shin’s Jesus Hospital; South Korea, 2011; Cinematographer: Sun-young Lee
• Xavier Dolan’s Laurence Anyways; Canada, France, 2012; Cinematographer: Yves Bélanger
• Marcin Krysztalowicz’s Manhunt (Oblawa); Poland, 2012; Cinematographer: Arkadiusz Tomiak
• Piotr Trzaskalski’s My Father’s Bike (Moj rower); Poland, 2012; Cinematographer: Piotr Sliskowski
• Bahman Ghobadi’s Rhino Season; Turkey, Kurdistan, Iraq, 2012; Cinematographer: Touraj Aslani
• Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master; USA, 2012; Cinematographer: Mihai Malaimare Jr.
• Alejandro Fadel’s The Wild Ones (Los salvajes); Argentina, 2012; Cinematographer: Julian Apezteguia
• Kim Nguyen’s War Witch (Rebelle); Canada, 2012; Cinematographer: Nicolas Bolduc

The full PLUS CAMERIMAGE program lineup along with event details can be found at http://www.pluscamerimage.pl

PLUS CAMERIMAGE’s prestigious Golden Frog, Silver Frog and Bronze Frog awards will be bestowed upon main competition titles representing the greatest achievements in cinematography. The festival runs from November 24th to December 1st in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

About PLUS CAMERIMAGE

Celebrating its landmark 20th anniversary this year, the International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography, PLUS CAMERIMAGE is the most recognized festival dedicated to the art of cinematography and the biggest international film festival in Poland. The unconventional format of the Festival, which awards films according to their visual, aesthetic and technical values, is a unique alternative to traditional film festivals.

PLUS CAMERIMAGE proves to be a great forum not only for presentation but also for further development of international moviemaking and provides a platform for young filmmakers to explore new artistic areas.

In addition to the main competition, the Festival offers a Polish Films Competition, Student Etudes Competition, Documentary Films Competition, Feature Debuts Competition, Music Videos Competition, Plus Camerimage Market, Plus Camerimage Forum, special screenings and premieres, various reviews, retrospectives, meetings and also accompanying events such as art exhibitions and music performances.

Various presentations of modern film equipment and of the latest production and postproduction technologies (both traditional and digital) are also an inherent aspect of the Festival and have been organized with cooperation from companies such as Plus, Arri, Panavision, Kodak, Hawk, K5600, J.L. Fisher, Sony, Panasonic, KinoFlo, Technicolor and Zeiss.

PLUS CAMERIMAGE is an extraordinary event where art and technology meet, creating a unique and unforgettable atmosphere. Please visit http://www.pluscamerimage.pl for more information.