We are attending the 5th Annual Scottsdale International Film Festival at the Harkins Camelview Theatre in Scottsdale. This is our 4th year stopping in to catch a handful of films. Today, we started early, showing up at noon for a 1:00 p.m. showing of Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress to join a very long line for the sold-out screening. Our second film immediately followed in a smaller theater; it was an Indian film titled Hari Om. The last movie of the day was Intimate Stories from Argentina.

During previous festivals, we watched in 2002: Together from Sweden, Warm Water Under a Red Bridge from Japan, and Werckmeister Harmonies from Hungary. In 2003, we took in Gloomy Sunday from Germany and Hukkle from Hungary. Last year, we watched Postmen in the Mountain from China, Tasuma, the Fighter from Burkina Faso, and Travellers & Magicians from Bhutan.

This time we will see more films than any other year, a total of six. This year’s event is also the best attended we have been to yet. Next year, we just might have to buy a VIP pass and catch as many of the films screening as possible, as not one film at the festival has let us down yet. Very good work, and congratulations to Amy Ettinger, the festival director, and her dedicated staff, volunteers, and sponsors.