Caesars Palace Las Vegas Reopening with a Tribute to Freedom
June 15, 2020 – Las Vegas – The tenth annual Anthem Film Festival moves from the Paris Casino to Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, this July 13-16. The film festival, part of the Libertarian themed FreedomFest conference, features a wide variety of films, both fictional and documentaries, exploring issues around social and political liberty.
FreedomFest founder and producer Mark Skousen explained the move: “The folks at Caesars are so excited about our plans to move ahead with FreedomFest that they upgraded us to their premier property.” Caesars, which reopened in June, plans to continue with social distancing and other COVID oriented precautions to maintain the safety of attendees.
The Anthem Film Festival will screen in Caesars’ Milano Ballroom/Theater and will feature over 25 films during its four-day run. The festival will include narratives, comedies, and documentaries from around the world with a special section devoted to movies made by Iranian filmmakers.
Anthem director Jo Ann Skousen spoke about the special emphasis on Iranian films. “A few years ago Iranian filmmakers discovered our focus on libertarian issues and began sending their works to us. Probably a third of our submissions are from the Middle East now. I feel privileged that they trust us with their message and know that we will take good care of their films.”
She also noted that there was an advantage to being part of the larger FreedomFest event. “FreedomFest provides us with a ready audience of eager viewers as well as renowned speakers to fill our post-screening panels.”
Features of particular relevance to today’s world include Miss Virginia and Rush to Judgement.
Miss Virginia, stars Emmy® winner Uzo Aduba as a single mother who fights to save her fifteen-year-old son from the rough streets of Washington, DC. She discovers she must also battle a corrupt power structure that doesn’t want change. The film features Vanessa Williams and Matthew Modine.
On the documentary side, Rush to Judgement explores the people and issues surrounding the viral video of an encounter between a young tourist and a drum beating Native American at the Lincoln Memorial. The film includes an exclusive interview with Nick Sandmann, “the boy in the MAGA hat.”
Skousen emphasized the importance of short films that illuminate subjects from the current struggle in Hong Kong, homelessness, and World War II internment camps. Several comedies and Sci-Fi tales also made it into the program to lighten the mood. “Shorts are hot at Anthem,” she said. “Unlike other festivals where short films are screened in a pack at a distant theater, we showcase our short docs and short narratives with post-screening panels and discussions.”
Skousen also noted that this is an opportunity to enjoy the full theater experience after three months of sheltering at home. “If you’re like me,” she said, “you’ve missed sitting in a darkened theater, munching on popcorn, and entering a world and a story created by the director.”
Find tickets and passes for Anthem Film Festival online at https://anthemfilmfestival.com/tickets/ or in person at FreedomFest from the ticket office across the hall from the Milano Ballroom at Caesars Palace. For information about FreedomFest check https://www.freedomfest.com/.
For further information contact: JoAnn Skousen, 407-620-9025, [email protected].
Media Contact
Company Name: Anthem Festival
Contact Person: Jo Ann Skousen
Email: Send Email
Phone: 407-620-9025
Country: United States
Website: https://www.freedomfest.com/
