The powerfully moving Shake Hands With The Devil, a dramatization from Halifax-based Oscar-winning producer Michael Donovan, and multi-award-winning producer Laszlo Barna, will open this year's 27th Atlantic Film Festival at the NBC Universal Canada's Opening Night Gala screening on Thursday, September 13, 2007.

Based on Canadian Lieutenant-General Romeo Dallaire's award-winning book, Shake Hands With The Devil tells the story of Dallaire's posting in Rwanda and his mounting horror and frustration at his inability, and the world's indifference, in preventing the Rwandan genocide in 1994 that killed over 800,000.

Filmed in Rwanda using many of the actual locations described in the book, and in Halifax, Shake Hands With The Devil was directed by Roger Spottiswoode. The film stars esteemed Canadian actor Roy Dupuis (Maurice Richard, That Beautiful Somewhere) as Dallaire, and Deborah Kara Unger (Crash, No Way Home) as one of the few journalists who remained in Rwanda after the genocide began.

We are thrilled to be opening the Festival with such an affecting film," said Festival Director Lia Rinaldo. "Michael Donovan has an impeccable ability to recognize film projects that will ultimately alter people's views on critical world issues."

Following the screening, the red carpet NBC Universal Canada Opening Night Party celebrates the start of another 10-days of fantastic films with the most anticipated outdoor party of the Halifax season.

Tickets to the NBC Universal Canada Opening Night Gala and Party are available exclusively online at the Atlantic Film Festival Online Box Office at www.atlanticfilm.com on Thursday, August 2, 2007.

From Wednesday August 29th tickets & packages can also be purchased at the Atlantic Film Festival Box Office sponsored by The Daily News at 1599 South Park Street in Halifax.

A full schedule of films and events at the 27th Atlantic Film Festival will be announced Wednesday, August 29, 2007.

Shake Hands With The Devil is distributed in Canada by Seville Pictures.