The schedule for the Starz Denver Film Festival is out – so get ready to party, people.
The scheduled films, people and parties that caught my eye include: Opening-night screening of Anthony Minghella’s “Breaking and Entering,” followed by a party in the Seawell Ballroom. Mayor Hick will present Minghella with the Mayor’s Career Achievement Award.
Tim Robbins will be here Nov. 16 to pick up the 2006 John Cassavetes Award. He’ll be interviewed on stage by Rocky reviewer Bob Denerstein, followed by a reception at the Oxford and a late-night screening of “Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny.”
Denverites Barbara Bridges and Donna Dewey screen their movie, “Looking For Sunday,” in its world premiere. It’s a coming-of-age, boy-band movie shot in Denver. A party with the cast (and band) follows at Dazzle.
The fest takes a long look at the late Hunter S. Thompson, starting with the world premiere of “Blasted” and interviews with people who volunteered their cannons and submitted essays on why they wanted to fire Hunter’s remains into the sky. Johnny Depp ended up footing the bill and supplying the cannon power.
The fest always has a secret after-hours club for VIPs and guests of the fest – open-minded, open bar, open until 4 a.m. I vaguely remember a few nights at these speakeasies. It returns this year to an undisclosed location in LoDo.
Internal
Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald, star of Animal Planet’s “Emergency Vets” and local comedian, says the show took a turn this year. For its 10th season, which wrapped Saturday, it was repositioned as “Emergency Vets: The Interns.” The series will follow six new vets from their first day at Alameda East.
“It has great stories,” says Fitzgerald. “It’s the best stuff we have ever done.”
I’m looking forward to seeing another show he has done for “Animal Planet” – a special titled “What Dogs Eat.” According to Fitzgerald, they eat a lot of things: fish hooks, balls, watches, coins, underwear. I know one high-profile Denverite whose dog ate his date’s bra. Talk about a tummy ache.
Fitz fans should know he’s making a DVD of his act Wednesday night at the Comedy Works.
Party!
Denver’s party posse is geared up for Friday night’s Fire & ISES Gala, a wild benefit for the Junior League at Belmar Event Center. It’s put on by the International Special Event Society – and they put on the dog. JL’s Jordan Bullock says, “It’ll be the most amazing wow party Denver has ever seen.” Look for a bands, people hanging from the ceiling, human statues and shirtless firefighters. For $99 tix go to jld.org.
City spirit
Chris Evert and Andy Mill are divorcing after 18 years of marriage, says the Palm Beach Post. Mill grew up in Aspen and was inducted into the Colorado Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame in 1994 … Happy birthday toFox 31’s Steve Kelley, a Halloween baby … Sez who: “Lisa, vampires are make-believe, like elves, gremlins, and Eskimos.” Homer Simpson
Bill Husted’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Husted also appears Tuesdays and Fridays on “Good Day Colorado” on Fox 31. You can reach him at 303-954-1486 or at bhusted@denverpost.com. Take a peek at Husted’s next column at denverpostbloghouse.com/husted
