Cynematik • Cyndi Greening

ART SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL / U.S.A. (Director: Terry Zwigof; Screenwriter: Daniel Clowes) — Believing that art school will bring him success and the girl of his dreams, an untalented young man becomes embroiled in a murder that makes him a celebrity. World Premiere starring enormous cast; including John Malkovich, Anjelica Huston, and Max Minghella

CARGO / Spain/UK (Director: Clive Gordon; Screenwriter: Paul Laverty) — After becoming mixed up in some trouble while traveling through Africa, a young backpacker stows away on a Europe-bound cargo ship filled with mysteries. World Premiere featuring Nikki Amuka-Bird and Carlos Blanco.

THE DARWIN AWARDS / U.S.A. (Director and Screenwriter: Finn Taylor) — A forensic detective and an insurance claims officer investigate a potential winner of a Darwin Award which honors “those who accidentally kill themselves in really stupid ways.” World Premiere starring Joseph Fiennes, Winona Ryder, David Arquette, Chris Pen, Juliette Lewis, Julianna Margulies and Lukas Haas.

DON’T COME KNOCKING / Germany/U.S.A (Director: Wim Wenders; Screenwriter: Sam Shephard) — A washed-up and disillusioned Western movie star returns home, where he reluctantly encounters elements of his past and an entire life that he had missed. North American Premiere with Jessica Lange, Tim Roth, Eva Marie Saint, Fairuza Balk and Sarah Polley.

FRIENDS WITH MONEY / U.S.A. (Director and Screenwriter: Nicole Holofcener) — A drama about three married women, their husbands, and their lone single friend. World Premiere starring Jennifer Aniston, Joan Cusack, Frances McDormand, Catherine Keener and Cass Asher. Opening Night Movie!

KINKY BOOTS / U.K. (Director: Julian Jarrold; Screenwriter: Geoff Dean/Tim Firth) — In an effort to save his father’s small town shoe factory, a man finds an unlikely ally in Lola, a brassy cabaret singer. North American Premiere featuring Joel Edgerton and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE / U.S.A. (Directors: Johnathan Dayton, Valerie Faris; Screenwriter: Michael Arndt) — A family determined to get their young daughter into the finals of a beauty pageant take a cross-country trip in their VW bus. World Premiere starring Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Greg Kinnear, Alan Arkin and Paul Dano.

LUCKY NUMBER SLEVIN / U.S.A. (Director: Paul McGuigan; Screenwriter: Jason Smilovic) — A case of mistaken identity lands a man in the middle of a murder being plotted by one of New York City’s biggest crime bosses. World Premiere with Josh Hartnett, Morgan Freeman, Ben Kingsley, Lucy Liu, Stanley Tucci and Bruce Willis.

NEIL YOUNG HEART OF GOLD / U.S.A. (Director: Johnathan Demme) — An emotionally rich musical portrait of icon Neil Young, shot over a two-night performance at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. World Premiere.

THE ILLUSIONIST / U.S.A. (Director and Screenwriter: Neil Burger) — In turn-of-the-century Vienna, a magician uses his abilities to secure the love of a woman far above his social standing. World Premiere starring Edward Norton, Jessica Biel, Paul Giamatti and Rufus Sewell.

THE NIGHT LISTENER / U.S.A. (Director: Patrick Stettner; Screenwriter: Armistead Maupin/ Terry Anderson/Patrick Stettner) — In the midst of his crumbling relationship, a radio show host begins speaking to his biggest fan, a young boy, via the telephone. But when questions about the boy’s identity arise, the host’s life is thrown into chaos. Another World Premiere featuring Toni Collette along with Robin Williams, Bobby Cannavale, Sandra Oh and John Cullum.

THE SCIENCE OF SLEEP / France/U.S.A. (Director and Screenwriter: Michel Gondry) — A man held captive by the people in his dreams tries to wake himself up and take control of his own imaginings. World Premiere starring the always amazing Gael Garcia Bernal, Miou-Miou, Jean-Michel Bernard and Alain Chabat.

THE SECRET LIFE OF WORDS / Spain (Director and Screenwriter: Isabel Coixet) — A nurse forgoes her first holiday in years, opting to travel to a remote oil rig, where she cares for a man suffering from severe burns. North American Premiere featuring Sarah Polley, Tim Robbins, Julie Christie and Javier Camara.

THANK YOU FOR SMOKING / U.S.A. (Director and Screenwriter: Jason Reitman) — Satirical comedy follows the machinations of Big Tobacco’s chief spokesman, who manages “spin” on behalf of cigarettes while trying to remain a role model for his twelve-year-old son. U.S. Premiere with powerhouse cast including Aaron Eckhart, Maria Bello, Sam Elliott, Katie Holmes, William H. Macy, Robert Duvall, Rob Lowe and J.K. Simmons.

THIS FILM IS NOT YET RATED / U.S.A. (Director: Kirby Dick) — A breakthrough investigation into Hollywood’s best-kept secret: the MPAA film ratings system and it’s profound impact on American culture. World Premiere from the filmmaker who made SICK: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF BOB FLANAGAN, SUPERMASOCHIST; DERRIDA; TWIST OF FAITH and CHAIN CAMERA.

For the 2006 Sundance Film Festival, 3,148 features were submitted for consideration including 1,764 U.S. feature films and 1,384 international feature films. These numbers represent an increase from 2005 when 1,385 U.S. feature films and 1,228 international films were considered. This year’s Festival includes films from 29 countries including Mexico, France, Denmark, South Korea, New Zealand, China, Bosnia, South Africa, Iran and Brazil.