•• The first annual Baja International Film Festival to be held November 14-17 in Los Cabos, Mexico has announced the inaugural year’s award recipients. Awards will be presented to two-time Academy Award-nominee Edward Norton, Academy Award-nominee Virginia Madsen, iconic filmmaker and President of the Directors Guild of America Michael Apted, celebrated actor Diego Luna, Academy Award-winner Melissa Leo, acclaimed director Nicolas Echevarria, and Academy Award-nominee Matt Dillon. The Awards will be presented during the Baja International Film Festival’s Closing Night Gala on Saturday, November 17th at the state-of-the-art Cabo Convention Center.

The Baja International Film Festival is also pleased to welcome special guests including Academy Award-Winner Octavia Spencer, 4-Time Emmy Winner Allison Janney, Chad Michael Murray, Billy Zane, Gael Garcia Bernal, Josh Lucas, Adrian Grenier, Natalie Morales, Rachel Leigh Cook, Kuno Becker, Mike Judge, Mark Polish, Maria Conchita Alonso, Jesse McCartney, Marisol Nichols, and writer/director Tate Taylor who will be participating in the week’s festivities.

The Festival will showcase 80 films from 18 countries, including 5 international feature films in competition, 5 Mexican feature films in competition, 5 international documentaries in competition, 5 Mexican documentaries in competition, 30 international shorts, 13 Mexican shorts, 4 environmental films, as well as Special Presentation screenings of 7 international feature films, and 6 Mexican feature films. For more information on the official film schedule and schedule of events, please visit http://biff.festivalgenius.com/2012/ or email info@bajafilmfest.com.

•• This Saturday, July 21 Cinémas Palme D’Or in Palm Desert is proud to present a special screening of “The Magic of Belle Isle” with a live Q&A Session with the film’s star Academy Award nominated actress Virginia Madsen following the showing of the film. Moderating the event will be Cinémas Palme D’Or host The Bulldog, Bill Feingold (KNews FM 94.3).

“The Magic of Belle Isle” is the story of a wheelchair-bound author (Morgan Freeman) that moves to a rural town, where he befriends a single mother (Virginia Madsen) and her three kids. She helps reignite his passion for writing. The film is rated PG for mild thematic elements and language including some suggestive comments and has a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes.

Advance Tickets are on sale now at the Cinémas Palme D’Or Box Office of charge by phone at 760-779-0430 with no service fees. Tickets are $11 (Adults) and $7.50 (Senior) and the screening starts at 7:15 p.m. For more information about the Cinémas Palme d’Or, see www.thepalme.com. For special announcements and coupons Like Cinémas Palme d’Or on Facebook Page.

•• The 3rd edition of Aruba International Film Festival opening night welcomes Oscar and Golden Globe nominated actress Virginia Madsen, festival Co-founder and Exe­cutive Producer Jonathan Vieira welcomes her on the Red Carpet at Paseo Herencia in Palm Beach for the World Premiere of “The Magic of Belle Isle” co-starring Morgan Freeman. She was in attendance (with actor Nick Holmes) for a Meet & Greet cocktail party wearing  a beautiful cyan dress.

For more information and updates, visit the AIFF website: http://www.arubainternationalfilmfestival.com or their Facebook page for the latest news updates.

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