(March 19, 2009 - Toronto, Ontario) -- The 7th Annual Female Eye Film Festival has announced that the thought-provoking feature film Hounddog will open the Festival when it begins its five-day run on Wednesday, March 25th. Directed by Deborah Kampmeier, the film is a provocative Southern tale set in rural Alabama in the late 1950s. It's the story of a spirited young girl named Lewellen, played by Dakota Fanning, and her struggle to rise above the repression that surrounds her. The film also stars David Morse, Robin Wright Penn and Piper Laurie. Kampmeier will be in attendance and will take part in a special Question & Answer session following the screening. 

Kampmeier, who was winner of Best Feature Film Award for Virgin at the 2003 Female Eye is happy to be returning to Toronto. "I am thrilled to be back at the Female Eye Film Festival. I am grateful to the festival for its vision that holds such a much needed space for women filmmakers." The opening Gala will take place at the Bloor Street Cinemas in Toronto and festival organizers plan to kick things off at 7PM on March 25th. This will be the first year that the festival will run for a full five days, but like many festivals patrons need to pay attention to what's playing where as screenings will take place at three different venues.

Organizerrs have also announced a special presentation of the Alliance Films release Before Tomorrow. Presented by First Air: The Airline of the North and sponsored by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), the screening of this highly acclaimed film will take place on the second day of the festival at 7:30 at the Rainbow Cinemas Market Square, 80 Front Street East in downtown Toronto.

Before Tomorrow is the story of two isolated families that meet for a summertime celebration. Food is abundant and the future seems bright, but Ningiuq, a strong and wise old woman, sees her world as fragile and moves through it with a pervasive sense of dread.  Ningiuq and her grandson Maniq are dropped off on a remote island, where, every year, the family dries the catch and stores it for winter. The task is soon finished, but as summer turns to fall, they wait in vain for the others to pick them up.
 
This is the third feature from Igloolik-Isuma Productions and the first in collaboration with Arnait, the women’s video collective of Igloolik, following Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner (2001), and The Journals of Knud Rasmussen (2006). It is based on the novel “Før Morgendagen” by Jørn Riel.
 
The 7th Female Eye Film Festival will run until March 29th. In addition to the Bloor Street Cinema and the Rainbow Cinemas, some films will be presented at the National Film Board's Mediatheque located at 150 John Street. To make things easier, the Festival has partnered with Ticket Break, which allows you to book advance tickets either online or by phone. In light of the current economic conditions, festival organizers have kept a lid on prices and Screening Tickets are just $8 in advance or $10 at the door. For advance tickets, the Festival recommends visiting TicketBreak.com or calling 1-866-9-GET-TIX.

For more information about the festival including a full program schedule, visit www.FemaleEyeFilmFestival.com.