The 24th Annual Edmonton International Film Festival begins this friday! If you haven't had the pleasure of attending our little festival yet, you might be surprised at just how many brilliant, edgy, award-winning films get screened every year. Some of this year's films that we're looking forward to include:

UNCLE BOONMEE WHO CAN RECALL HIS PAST LIVES - This is the film that won the Palme D'Or at this years Cannes Film Festival. Based on the other films we have seen from the director with the unpronouncable name (Apichatpong Weerasethakul), it's a film for patient arthouse fanatics only.

AMERICAN: THE BILL HICKS STORY - Upon first listening to a Bill Hicks stand up routine, you might be forgiven for thinking it was recorded only a couple of years ago...that is until he referenced New Kids on the Block and you realized it was George H.W. Bush he was ranting about. But what makes Bill Hicks wonderful to me is not his righteous indignation, but that entrenched in all his anger was a vision for a better world; a belief in unrecognized human potential. If only he was still around to remind us.

A GIRL, A GUN AND A NOODLE SHOP - Zhang Yimou, director of HERO, HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS, and RAISE THE RED LANTERN, brings us a remake of the Coen Brother's directorial debut BLOOD SIMPLE. Enough said.

And of course, everyone's favourite Alberta export FUBAR 2!

For a glance at some films that have played in previous years, visit our revolving feature shelf, which will be paying tribute to EIFF till the end of the festival (October 2nd).

And while you're here, you can enter a draw to win a pack of Regular Admission Tickets! No purchase neccessary, you've just got to walk in the door!

cheers,

Heather