FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Karin Zauderer/Carol Bidault (DC) Marisa Stefatos/Nick Efteriades (NY) Phone: 202 537 9493 (DC)/917 922 2545 (NY) February 8, 2007 GREEK AND MEDITERRANEAN FILM SHOWCASE AT DCIFF Washington, DC/ New York - The 9th Annual Washington, DC Independent Film Festival proud to present the sidebar special event: An Evening of Films from the Mediterranean, showcasing new and innovative works from independent filmmakers from Greece and Turkey. This year’s program will be held on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 at the DC Moving Image Center currently housed at the University of District Columbia at 4200 Connecticut Avenue (Auditorium 46). This event is co-sponsored by the Embassies of Greece and Turkey as well as The Greek Cultural Center of New York. The evening will kick off with a reception for all attendees at 6pm, and screenings will commence at 7pm. The evening will conclude with a wrap-up reception at 10pm with the filmmakers, presenters, and representatives from the Greek Film Centre in attendance to discuss their work. This year’s lineup includes dynamic, compelling works from emerging artists - as follows: I Named Her An Angel (Turkey, 2005, 30 mins) This documentary shows a different view of Islam through the eyes of a 12-year-old Turkish girl. The film follows her as she learns the basics of Melvenism. She attends the religious den of the Whirling Dervishes and learns the teachings of Melvana, who is also known as Rumi in the Western World. She also learns how to do the ‘Sema’ (whirling) Directed by Nefin Dinc. US Premiere. Man and the Void (Greece, 2006 animation, 4 mins) Sometime in the distant past, primordial Man met the absolute Void for the first time. During this encounter he lost his good companion, the Fairy, whom the Void chased away. Taking pity on her, God turned the Fairy into stone and named her Nature. Since then, Man runs continuously, trying to save himself from Void’s hunt. His only help is Nature. But if he agrees to Nature’s complete protection, he risks turning into stone as well. Directed by Alexis Komnakos. World Premiere. License 9005-02 (Greece, 2006, live action, 4 mins) An elderly couple lives out their days in a beautiful suburb of Athens. The husband dies suddenly, leaving his wife behind. Moving on after his death, she picks apples in her backyard until something very inexplicable happens. This film is a meditation on the growing industrialization of Greece and its effects on people. Directed by Vassilis Ksylaras. World Premiere. Pink (Greece, 2006, 90 mins) Vassilis Galis is afraid of growing up. Snezana Tkatchenko is afraid of understanding. Sakis, the movie star, is afraid of feeling. Emily, the Irish girl, is afraid of starting over. Lauren, the wife, is afraid of admitting. Agnes, the teacher, is afraid of living. Father is afraid of speaking. Mother is afraid of coming back. Directed by Alexander Voulgaris. East Coast Premiere. The DCIFF will run from March 1st – 11th and will showcase over 100 films with an eye for new discoveries, the cutting edge, fresh perspectives, and unique stories to stay true to an eclectic program of films. For more information and group reservations to our side bar evening of Greek and Mediterranean Film please contact us at the numbers above.