Pro-freedom film festival
hits Hollywood

American Film Renaissance, the organization presenting patriotic and pro-America alternatives to typical movie fare, goes to the heart of the industry to host its first festival in Hollywood, Calif., next month.

AFR was begun to encourage the production and promotion of more traditional-values oriented movies in the U.S.

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"Conservatives have been on defense in this culture war going on 40 years," founder and President Jim Hubbard told WorldNetDaily last year. "No war has ever been won playing defense. … My notion is that we should go to the offense. That's the only way you can win any struggle."

The organization says it's dedicated to promoting "films that reflect free speech, free enterprise, rugged individualism, freedom of religion and the triumph of the human spirit."

The organization's first festival was in September 2004 in Dallas, an event that screened 17 films. In 2005, it hosted film festivals in Michigan and again in Dallas.

The festival in Hollywood is scheduled for Jan. 13-15 at the historic Mann's Chinese 6 Theater.

Some of the films featured at the event include:

• "The World's Fastest Indian" – a true story about a New Zealander who comes to America to establish a world speed record on his 1920 Indian motorcycle. It stars Sir Anthony Hopkins.

  "'The World's Fastest Indian' is the perfect film for AFR. It reminds us that even when we're faced with impossible odds, through hard work, ingenuity and perseverance, we can triumph," said Hubbard in a statement. "We are thrilled to have this film open our inaugural Hollywood film festival."

• "The Bituminous Coal Queens of Pennsylvania" – produced by two-time Emmy-winner Patricia Heaton ("Everybody Loves Raymond"), "Coal Queens" pays homage to small-town America as it documents the odyssey of actress Sarah Rush ("Catch Me If You Can") as she returns to her roots in Pennsylvania and to the 50th anniversary celebration of the Bituminous Coal Queen beauty pageant. Director David Hunt, Heaton and Rush will participate in a question-and-answer session following the screening.

• "Islam: What the West Needs to Know" will have its world premier at the festival. The film features commentary from expert on Islam Robert Spencer and Bat Ye'or.

• "A Show of Hands" – A documentary following seven Iraqis who were tortured by Saddam Hussein's henchmen as they are granted a new lease on life through the generosity of Americans.

• "Interstate 60" – written and directed by Bob Gale ("Back to the Future") and starring Michael J. Fox and Gary Oldman.

Besides the film screenings, AFR will host "An Afternoon with Gary Sinise" Jan. 14, during which the award-winning actor will discuss his entertainment career, his visits to Iraq and with American troops, and Operation Iraqi Children, the charity he founded to bring school supplies to the impoverished children of Iraq. Sinise appeared in "Apollo 13," "Ransom" and garnered an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Lt. Dan in "Forrest Gump." Currently, the actor stars in the television series "CSI:NY."

WorldNetDaily is the Internet sponsor of the American Film Renaissance festival. Information about tickets is available at AFR's website.

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