7th annual Chandler International Film Festival kicks off Saturday

PHOENIX — Over 120 films from 35 countries, Q&As with filmmakers and actors, celebrity guest appearances and workshops will highlight the seventh annual Chandler International Film Festival, which begins next week.

The event runs from Jan. 21-29 at LOOK Dine-In Cinemas in downtown Chandler.

A Hollywood-style red carpet will open festivities on Saturday followed by the premiere of “Bezos,” a movie based on a book about the life of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

CIFF will show several movies with Arizona ties, including the comedy “Daddy Daughter Trip” starring and directed by Rob Schneider that involves a spring break road trip in the Grand Canyon State.

The screening of the comedy and a meet-and-greet with Schneider on the red carpet are set for Sunday.

CIFF said it will donate 50 “Daddy Daughter Trip” tickets to the Recreation and Athletics for Individuals with Disabilities nonprofit.

Sedona-shot film “Reflect,” Chandler-based “ID” and “The Monster Inside Me” from Phoenix will also represent the state, as will a group of six Arizona short films that are set to play on Sunday.

The festival will also host an Arizona-focused workshop with Ramsay Wharton, the program manager for the Arizona Commerce Authority’s Film & Digital Media program, on Jan. 27.

One of the event’s featured foreign presentations is India’s entry to the Academy Awards, “Last Film Show,” which will be screened on Jan. 28.

The final day of the festival will include a red carpet event and awards ceremony.

Tickets begin at $15 for a single show or $220 for a pass to the entire event.

The film schedule is posted on CIFF’s website.

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