A record number of feature films, documentaries and short films submitted to the 21st Edmonton International Film Festival (Sept. 28 to Oct. 6, 2007)

The 2007 Edmonton International Film Festival’s Call for Entries closed on Friday, June 15th and organizers are wowed by a 35% increase in the number of entries over 2006. Even more outstanding is that 10% of this year’s total film submissions are works produced by Albertans.

“There’s a lot of publicity around Hollywood films being shot in Alberta. One of our goals at the Edmonton International Film Festival is to celebrate the movies being made by our own indigenous filmmaking community with a programming strand we call ‘Our Own Backyard’” says Kerrie Long,

Festival Producer. “There’s an amazing indie filmmaking underground going on in Alberta right now. These people are making movies – mostly through their passion and perseverance. ‘Our Own Backyard’ is a terrific way to showcase Alberta filmmakers within Edmonton’s international film festival setting.”

Films that are confirmed as ‘Official Selections’ to the 2007 Edmonton International FiIm Festival include the following:
Canadian Premiere! ‘Strictly Background’ (84-mins.)

Producer/Director: Jason Connell (Los Angeles)
‘Strictly Background’ is a heartfelt documentary that explores the charm and determination behind some of Hollywood’s hardest working actors – professional ‘extras’. Following ten background actors, the film examines life on and off set as they attempt to make a living as a face in the crowd. ‘Strictly Background’ is the true story of the struggle to stand out. Winner: Best Documentary at the San Fernando Valley International Film Festival.

'Rock, Paper, Scissors: The Way of the Tosser' (85-mins.)
Directors: Tim Doiron and April Mullen (Toronto)
Throughout history people have used their body, mind and soul in their never-ending quest for power. Gary Brewer (Tim Doiron) uses his hands. This mocu/documentary follows Gary Brewer, along with girlfriend Holly Brewer (April Mullen) and best friend Trevor Morehouse as Gary quests to reign supreme at the 2006 Rock, Paper, Scissors World Championships.

World Premiere! ‘The Dogwalker’ (75-mins.)
Director: Rosie Dransfeld (Edmonton)
Documentary. A happy gang of dogs heads into the woods. Leading the pack is Edmontonian, Michael Borowski – amateur playwright, rambling philosopher and survivor of childhood brain injury.
'The Dogwalker’ is a moving account of one man’s battle to reconstruct a shattered identity – and a winning meditation on Zen and the Art of Dogwalking. “I’m the alpha,” he says, untangling the leashes. Meet The Dogwalker. Take a walk with the master.

The 21st edition of the Edmonton International Film Festival takes place Sept. 28 to Oct. 6, 2007. Festival program guides will be available in September.