The stars are coming out for the Victoria Film Festival.
Celebrated filmmaker John Landis has been confirmed as a special guest for the 2012 Victoria Film Festival, where he will be joined by film critic Richard Crouse for an exclusive discussion during a special event and screening.
Landis is best known for his comedies, including National Lampoon’s Animal House, The Blues Brothers, Trading Places, Spies Like Us, Three Amigos!, and Coming to America. He also directed the cult classic An American Werewolf in London, as well as the video for Michael Jackson’s Thriller, that forever changed MTV and the concept of music videos; it has won many awards, including the Video Vanguard Award for The Greatest Video in the History of the World.
“We’re excited to have such an incredibly talented director coming to the Festival,” said Victoria Film Festival Director Kathy Kay. “Mr. Landis has directed some of the most memorable and iconic films of our times, it will be an absolute pleasure to hear such a knowledgeable filmmaker discuss the craft.”
Following the interview with Landis, the Victoria Film Festival presents a quote-along screening of The Blues Brothers (1980). It’s time for your “mission from God,” so get your best Jake and Elwood looks together, slap on some sunglasses and quote, sing and joke along with The Blues Brothers, said Kay.
Actress Linda Blair has also been confirmed as a guest at this year’s Victoria Film Festival.
Best known for her role as the demonic possessed child in The Exorcist, Blair will join an evening screening of William Friedkin’s horror classic The Exorcist, followed by a question and answer session and discussion with Blair.
At a second event, festival guests will have an opportunity to meet Blair and get autographs and photographs during an exclusive evening that will raise funds for her WorldHeart Foundation, an organization that rescues and helps care for abused animals.
The 18th annual Victoria Film Festival runs Feb. 3 to 12.
Program guides with full details will be available Jan. 6 online at victoriafilmfestival.com or at the Victoria Film Festival office, 1215 Blanshard St., Cineplex Odeon, Empire Theatres and Serious Coffee.