In past years, the SBIFF has shown a midweek movie, with varying degrees of success. In 2007, it was Amazing Grace, with director Michael Apted in the audience (and also serving a role as a special curator/director). The film went on to garner critical acclaim. In 2006, Dave Barry’s Guide to Guys featured the stars and John Cleese in attendance.

This year, the fest has gone the route of adding yet another award ceremony, complete with a red carpet, star wattage and on-stage interviews and video clip tributes. It seems to have worked, as the 680–seat Lobero Theatre was standing room only. Ellen Page (Juno), Amy Ryan (Gone Baby Gone), James McAvoy (Atonement), Marion Cotillard (La Vie En Rose) and Casey Affleck (Gone Baby Gone and The Assassination of Jesse James) were all awarded for their recent work. In question and answer sessions that featured each of them individually and then the group together, they discussed everything from screen tests to whether or not they read the novel behind the film. James McAvoy could have moderated the entire event, as he was gregarious, funny, charming. And while Ellen Page was a wise-cracking teenager with an attitude in Juno, on stage, she was a bit subdued. When Ivan Reitman presented their awards, he made special mention of Page, on behalf of his son, Jason, who directed the young actress in the popular and acclaimed film.
Check out a photo gallery of the red carpet arrivals and the atmosphere outside the theater at: http://www.edhat.com/site/tidbit.cfm?id=847&event=08SBIFF-virtuosos 

While some filmmakers shuddered at the thought of running opposite of one of the award ceremonies, it is, after all, a film festival, and the lines outside the uplifting South African film Angels in the Dust were down the block 45 minutes before its start.

To read about Angels in the Dust, visit: http://www.edhat.com/site/tidbit.cfm?id=2099

As far as the Wednesday night party, an important mid-week event, it was held at the Stateside, no go-go dancers, but there was an outdoor fountain with turtles, DJs spinning the tunes inside and heaters for those brave enough to face the chilly outdoors and pick up drinks at the bar with the shorter line.

Check out a photo gallery of party pictures at: http://www.edhat.com/site/tidbit.cfm?id=847&event=08SBIFF_stateside