Seattle film fest line-up to honor Edward Norton

(AFP PHOTO/Stan Honda)

The largest and longest film fest in the US, the 36th annual Seattle International Film Festival, running May 20-June 13, will screen more than 400 films from over 60 countries, with galas, awards and world premieres.

In a tribute to Edward Norton's career, the actor will be presented with the Golden Space Needle Award for Outstanding Achievement in Acting at a special ceremony with an on-stage interview, screening of Leaves of Grass, his latest film, as well as 25th Hour, Fight Club, and American History X.

The opening film for the 2010 event is the comedy The Extra Man, starring Paul Dano (There Will be Blood), Katie Holmes, John C. Reilly, and Kevin Kline (The Pink Panther, De-Lovely), co-directed/written by Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini (American Splendor, The Nanny Diaries).

The festival will screen a series devoted to Spanish filmmakers with 27 films and a special Sweden Week of films. In addition, there are competitions and awards, midnight showings, gala presentations, and screenings of archival films, such as Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory in Smell-O-Vision.

As part of the summer season of film fests, SIFF draws 150,000 attendees over its 25 day schedule and is considered "unmissable" by entertainment trade Variety. This year presents 189 narrative features, 54 documentaries, 13 landmark films, and 150 shorts. There will be 25 world premieres. http://www.siff.net/

RC