Advanced tickets for the much anticipated 2006 Nashville Film Festival go on sale today (March 22). From April 20 th through 26 th, state-of-the-art screens at the Regal Green Hills Stadium 16 in the Green Hills area of Nashville will

present a feast of the most promising and inspiring films and videos from all over the world. Nearly 1500 submissions are dwindled down to the lucky 200 or so features, documentaries, shorts, animated works, and children’s/experimental films that make it onto the four screens over the six day long event. Along with the festivities and art appreciation, awards are given to the most exceptional entries. New this year, highlighting the best music in film include the “Best Nashville Produced Music Video” and the “Impact of Music Award” which is given to the narrative or documentary that best exemplifies the importance of music in our everyday lives. The competition for the coveted “ Nashville Film Festival/Regal Cinemas Dreammaker Award” recognizing the most impressive feature film of the festival keeps the adrenaline pumping for the makers of these extraordinary cinematic productions. Stakes are high; the gem that wins this award is screened for one week at a Regal Cinema location in the City of Angels ( Los Angeles ), which qualifies the film for Academy Award consideration.

After many of the films’ screenings, the festival will host Q & A sessions and workshops, offering an intimate exchange between audiences and filmmakers. These panel discussions are especially unique in that they offer local film students the opportunity to talk with professionals in the field. As an outreach organization, NaFF, actually lectures and provides screening programs at elementary, middle and high schools, colleges, museums, libraries and community centers throughout the year. NaFF also oversees the Young Filmmakers Program, teaching at-risk youth video skills in many of Nashville ’s community centers.

National celebrities including: Oprah Winfrey, Matthew McConaughey, Edward James Olmos, Lily Tomlin, as well as many of our favorite local celebrities have attended. The Nashville Film Festival represents the only opportunity to see most of these films in this region of the U.S. If you don’t want to miss the biggest, most international film festival in the mid-South, get your tickets while you still can. For detailed ticket pricing and purchase information click here.