July 6, 2006, Toronto–ALL THE KING'S MEN, the latest film from Steven Zaillian (the Oscar-winning screenwriter of SCHINDLER'S LIST) receives its world premiere as a Gala Presentation at the 31st Toronto International Film Festival.

Cannes Film Fest, May 28, 06‚Äî-Artistic director Thierry Fremaux labeled the 59th edition of the Cannes Festival as “Cinema of Renewal,” and indeed, the competition included many young directors. Nonetheless, artistically, it was an unremarkable festival as far as the main lineup is concerned. With one exception (Andrea Arnold), there were no major discoveries, and not a single film was totally embraced by the critics.

The Cannes Film Festival's idiosyncratic m?©lange reflects its unique nature as a forum of glitzy Hollywood premieres and the Red Carpet, such as “Da Vinci Code” and “X-Man 3,” esoteric art films and documentaries from obscure countries, whose location you need to look up at the map, and schlocky B- movies shown in the Market, where hundreds of international distributors and sales agents shop for new products.

Taormina Film Festival, July 2002–The artistic highlight of the 48th edition of the Taormina International Film Festival was a complete retrospective of Italian maestro Sergio Leone. On opening night, the distinguished musician Ennio Morricone, who composed numerous scores for Leone's spaghetti Westerns (and other movies), was on stage, conducting a 100-member Rome Symphony Orchestra complete with choir.

Cannes, May 28, 06–The top award of the 2006 Festival de Cannes, the Palme d'Or, was given to Ken Loach's “The Wind That Shakes The Barley.” The Grand Prix (runner-up) want to French film “Flanders” by Bruno Dumont. Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu won Beat Director for “Babel,” and Pedro Alomodovar Best Screenplay for “Volver.”