CineVegas has come a long way from its humble, grassroots beginnings to the vibrant, fun-filled event that takes place every year in Sin City. Started by an enthusiastic group of film and art lovers, independent filmmakers, and movie industry veterans, the Festival first took place at Bally’s Hotel and Casino six years ago. With financial backing from Las Vegas Events and local businesses and individuals, Bally’s showroom and convention spaces were transformed into movie theatres and screening rooms. The Festival featured “The Best of the Fests,” bringing to Las Vegas independent films that were winning awards and acclaim at other festivals around the world.
The following year the Festival moved to Bally’s new sister hotel, The Paris Hotel and Casino. For two years, the Paris showroom and convention spaces were transformed to accommodate not only “The Best of the Fests,” but premieres such as STAR TREK: INSURRECTION and films which included THE CIDER HOUSE RULES, GODS AND MONSTERS, and LITTLE VOICE. In its third year, the festival presented Tony Curtis the first Marquee Award for lifetime achievement.
In 2002, CineVegas joined forces with The Entertainment Development Corporation, a non-profit agency with a mission to bring entertainment-based business to the Southern Nevada area. Under the direction of the staff of EDC and the CineVegas Advisory Board, the Festival moved to The Palms Casino Resort and Brenden Theatres. In addition, Trevor Groth, a senior programmer with the Sundance Film Festival, was brought on as Director of Programming. Under Groth’s guidance, the quality of original programming and new filmmakers that participated in the festival took off. In his first year, Groth presented premieres of SUNSHINE STATE, SPUN, BUBBA HO-TEP, POOLHALL JUNKIES and HAPPY HERE AND NOW. The list of celebrities and industry people participating in the festival grew tremendously as well and Dustin Hoffman was presented with the Marquee Award.
The Festival continued its tremendous growth in 2003, showing premieres of BREAKFAST WITH HUNTER, DALLAS 362, GAMES PEOPLE PLAY, and THIS GIRL'S LIFE along with festival favorites THE MAGDALENE SISTERS, OWNING MAHONEY and WHALE RIDER. Hunter S. Thompson triumphantly returned to Las Vegas for the first time since his legendary “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” was published. Dennis Hopper received the Marquee Award, and was so enamored of the festival that today he is the Chair of the CineVegas Film Festival Creative Advisory Board.
In the following years, CineVegas kept growing by leaps and bounds. 2004 saw honorees Jack Nicholson, Sean Penn, Robin Wright-Penn, Holly Hunter, Bruce Conner, David Lynch, Julian Schnabel and Dean Stockwell rub shoulders with the slot machines. The World Premieres included MITCHELVILLE and THE TALENT GIVEN US, both of which went on to play at the Sundance Film Festival. 2005 welcomed Christopher Walken, Nicolas Cage, Ann-Margret, Samantha Morton, Rhonda Fleming, George A. Romero and Wim Wenders to the huge list of CineVegas honorees, as the festival closed with the exciting World Premiere of GEORGE A. ROMERO’S LAND OF THE DEAD. The 2006 fest honored Helen Mirren, Sylvester Stallone, Christina Ricci, Taylor Hackford and Laurence Fishburne. World Premieres at the fest included Marisa Tomei’s newest film, DANIKA, Rebecca Romijn’s documentary WET DREAMS and the wet dream ARTIE LANGE’S BEER LEAGUE.
The most recent festival last June celebrated the careers of honorees Anthony Hopkins, Ben Kingsley, Mike Newell and Charlize Theron. But the biggest splash was the opening night World Premiere of OCEAN’S THIRTEEN with the cast in attendance. The screening raised over one million dollars for the charity Not On Our Watch, an organization whose initial campaign is to support existing Darfur humanitarian relief efforts and to ensure the protection of civilians in that region. The festival also launched its La Proxima Ola section, highlighting new independent films being produced in Mexico.
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