SANTE FE, NM, July 8, 2010

The Santa Fe Film Festival has announced that Val Kilmer will serve as the Honorary Chair for the 11^th Santa Fe Film Festival.   The dates for this year’s edition of SFFF will be October 20-25.   A long time supporter of the film festival, the actor and Santa Fe resident has taken a great interest in the promotion and revitalization of the celebrated event as part of his support for the Santa Fe community. The announcement follows Kilmer volunteering the use of his ranch of his Pecos River Ranch in Rowe, New Mexico for a fundraising event on behalf of the SFFF on June 27.   Kilmer said, “The Santa Fe Film Festival is a wonderful event offering the opportunity for everyone in Santa Fe and the surrounding areas to see amazing films from around the world and meet the filmmakers that made those films. And I look forward to helping bring some of the best filmmakers I know and have worked with to enjoy our city and see firsthand why I love it and have made it my home.”   SFFF Co-Director Michael Hare said, “Val has been a champion of this film festival for years and this announcement only serves to put an official stamp on the unwavering support he has offered to this event and this area. We look forward to putting something very special together in our eleventh year.”   The fundraising event at Kilmer’s Pecos River Ranch featured a day of fly fishing, jeep tours of his 6000 acre ranch and a gourmet meal. Notables enjoying the hospitality included Laurent and Nathalie Gruet of Gruet Winery, local philanthropists Lee and Susan Berk, writer and philanthropist Michael Pettit, SFFF board members Gunther Maier, Bill Dedmon, Pat Hall, and Nick Durrie & Sandy McGovern Durrie, as well as SFFF Co-Directors Hare and Rose Kuo.   Additional information can be found at www.santafefilmfestival.com.    

About The Santa Fe Film Festival The Santa Fe Film Festival (SFFF) is a cultural, not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) organization whose mission is to recognize and celebrate the art of cinema in all forms by showcasing New Mexico, national and international films and filmmakers. Through its exhibition, education and community development programs, SFFF is building, stimulating and entertaining audiences. The festival supports and encourages filmmakers by offering essential networking opportunities and open dialogues with intelligent and inquisitive consumers and industry professionals. By attracting local, national and international markets, the festival promotes the city of Santa Fe and the state of New Mexico as a cultural center that contributes to the financial and cultural success of the city and the state.