Derby City Film Festival honors legendary actor Lance Henriksen

The 4th Annual Derby City Film Festival opens Friday, February 17th and will screen 56 films through Sunday the 19th. The lineup includes 24 International films representing 16 countries as well as 8 World Premieres, 5 US Premieres, and 28 KY Premieres. Eight films were produced in the Bluegrass State and another 5 have ties to Kentucky.

The full festival schedule and film descriptions are available on the festival website. Tickets for all films and screening groups are also on-sale through the website. More information on the festival can be found at: www.derbycityfilmfest.com or by calling the DCFF office at 502-454-7801.

A full slate of workshops and panels on topics ranging from "Indie Filmmaking 101" to "Fight Choreography" will take place through the day on Saturday & Sunday and are free to festival pass holders. Filmmakers from all over the country will be in attendance to support their films and take part in the festival's activities. Attendees can participate in the Q&A's after film screenings as well as interact with filmmakers, actors and producers all weekend long.

Legendary actor Lance Henriksen will be the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award Saturday evening before the screening of his film "It's in the Blood" from Louisville Natives Scooter Downey & Sean Elliot on Saturday at 8:00 PM.

Henriksen is probably best known for his role as Bishop in the "Aliens" and "Aliens vs. Predator" films and video games, but he has also appeared in the classic films "Close Encounters of the Third Kind", "The Right Stuff" and "Terminator" among others. In the late 90's he played Frank Black in the television series "Millennium". and more recently he has lent his voice talents to video games like "Transformers", "Call of Duty" and "Mass Effect".

Henriksen will be taking part in some of the festival's activities including panels and the awards presentation & symposium. He will also be promoting his new biography, "Lance Henriksen - Not Bad for a Human" which was released in 2011.

"It's in the Blood" is a feature film from Louisville natives and Ballard High School graduates Scooter Downey & Sean Elliot and is up for three awards including Best Feature Film and two Best Actor Nominations for stars Henriksen & Sean Elliot. "Blood" tells the tale of a father (Henriksen) and son (Elliot) who become stranded in the wild and must confront the horrors of their past to escape with their lives. However, this wilderness is not what it seems, and as they deteriorate, so to does their concept of reality: horrifying creatures, ghostly apparitions, is it all in their heads, or could the truth be far more terrible? "It's in the Blood" screens at 8:00 PM on February 18th with the short film "Endless". There will be a Q&A with the films stars and production team follow the screening.

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Opening night includes two feature films shot in Kentucky. At 7:00 PM on February 17th "Wid Winner and the Slipstream" will open the fest. "Winner", which was directed by Kentucky native Alex O Gaynor, tells the story of two men who embark on a cross-country journey to face the past, change the future, and collect enough used-auto parts to build a time machine.

The 8:00 PM film, "Sam Steele and the Crystal Chalice" is from New Albany filmmaker Tom Whitus and was shot in Downtown Louisville. The film stars Jacob Hays, Kevin Sorbo, Katherine McNamara & Dee Wallace. "Crystal Chalice" is the sequel to "Sam Steel and the Jr. Detective Agency" which screened at DCFF in 2010.

The final film on Friday is the suspense film "Johnny's Gone" from writer and actress LaDon Drummond. "Johnny's Gone" tells the story of the unsettling but heartfelt relationship between Sarah and a two year-old she calls Johnny. Sarah hides a dark secret that will take them on a road trip across five states from California to Louisiana.

Saturday highlights include the world premieres of the feature films "Frames" & "Blind Turn", Producer and Louisville native John Paul Rice's latest film "Mother's Red Dress", the road trip documentary "Bailout", four short film groups, and 2 International features, "Znikniecie" and "Meherjaan".

Saturday afternoon there will also be a Filmmaker Symposium and Awards Presentation at Clifton's Pizza from 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM.

Following "It's in the Blood" on Saturday night, at 10:00 PM audiences will receive a double treat from Louisville filmmakers. First Kristofer Rommel premieres the short "Wireface: In the Beginning" starring Josh Loren, Cindy Maples & Joe Chrysler. "Wireface..." is a prequel film which details the slow decent into madness that turns a loving family man into the serial killer known as "Wireface".

Following the short is Matt Niehoff & Brian Cunningham's feature film "Overtime", which was shot in Louisville and features Al Snow, John Wells & Sebrina Siegel. "Overtime" follows two hitmen who find themselves caught up in a conspiracy they never imagined which includes alien zombies. Both films are included on one ticket.

The closing film of the festival will be the Edward Furlong film "Below Zero", which will screen at 6:00 PM on Sunday. "Zero" follows screenwriter Jack "The Hack" (Furlong) who, facing writer's block and a crucial deadline, decides to remove himself from all distractions by locking himself in the freezer of an abandoned slaughterhouse, where fiction and reality blur. Inspired by true events, method writer Signe Olynyk's BELOW ZERO is a twisty story within a story, within a real-life story. The film also stars Kristin Booth and Michael Berryman. "Zero" was directed by Justin Thomas Ostensen who's film "By the Wayside" screened at the inaugural DCFF in 2008.

Lance Henriksen's DCFF appearance schedule:

Saturday Feb 18th - 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Acting Panel in the Frankfort Room

(Only those with a Saturday or Festival Pass will be admitted)

Seating is Limited!

Saturday February 18th - 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Autograph Session in The Lounge

(You must have a film ticket (any Saturday film), Saturday Pass, or Festival Pass)

There will be photos and copies of his biography for sale which he will sign or

There is a $20 charge to have him sign other memorabilia.

Photo: $20

2 for 1 - Book & Photo: $35! (cash only, no credit cards)