Kevin Smith and Michelle Monaghan to attend Vail Film Festival

VAIL, Colo., March 10, 2009 – The Vail Film Festival announced its Tribute Award recipients for the 2009 Festival, which will take place April 2 – April 5. Writer/director/actor Kevin Smith will receive the Renegade Award and actor Michelle Monaghan will receive the Excellence in Acting Award.

Kevin Smith will be presented with the Vail Film Festival's 2009 Renegade Award for risk taking in film. The Festival will honor Smith for his contribution to independent film and for his groundbreaking work. Smith offers a unique vision and style and has been an inspiration to many up and coming indie filmmakers. His first film, CLERKS, was a huge critical success and shot Kevin's career into high drive. His next film, MALL RATS, also became a cult hit. CHASING AMY has been hailed as one of Smith's best films and was on many critic's year-end best lists. Smith's other films include DOGMA, starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, JERSEY GIRL, starring Affleck and Liv Tyler, and this years huge hit, ZACK AND MIRI, starring Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks.

Rising star Michelle Monaghan continues to be one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood. Most recently Michelle starred in the boxoffice hit thriller EAGLE EYE for DreamWorks opposite Shia LaBeouf. Prior to that, she starred opposite Patrick Dempsey in the romantic comedy MADE OF HONOR. Michelle burst onto movie screens and received rave reviews for her performance in KISS KISS BANG BANG, in which she starred opposite Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer for writer/director Shane Black. She then joined Charlize Theron, Frances McDormand, and Sissy Spacek in NORTH COUNTRY for director Niki Caro. More recently she starred in GONE BABY GONE with Casey Affleck and Morgan Freeman, in THE HEARTBREAK KID opposite Ben Stiller and in MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE III opposite Tom Cruise and Philip Seymour Hoffman for director J.J. Abrams. Other films include PERFUME, IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY, WINTER SOLSTICE, THE BOURNE SUPREMACY, and MR. & MRS. SMITH. Michelle will next star in and serve as executive producer of TRUCKER which had a World Premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival last spring and is the opening night film for the 2009 Vail Film Festival.

The Vail Film Festival takes place April 2 - 5, 2009 in Vail, Colorado. The 2009 Awards Ceremony will be held Saturday, April 4th, at 7pm at the Cascade Theater. Tribute Awards to Kevin Smith and Michelle Monaghan will be presented at the ceremony, as well as filmmaking awards for Best Feature, Best Documentary, Best Short Film, Best Student Film, and Best Action Sports Film. For more information or to buy passes go to www.VailFilmFestival.org or call 970.476.1092.

Over 50 films from around the world will be screened during the four-day event. For complete film listings and screening times, celebrity guests, event schedule, FAQs and to order tickets please visit: www.VailFilmFestival.org or call (970) 476-1092.

About Vail Film Festival
The Vail Film Festival promotes independent filmmaking, with a special focus on new and innovative filmmakers. Besides screening some of the year's top films from around the globe, the festival will also feature industry panel discussions and special events with award-winning actors, writers and directors. A special awards ceremony, ski and snowboarding events, VIP parties and live music will round out this four-day event. The Vail Film Festival is produced by the Colorado Film Institute, a non-profit arts organization that is dedicated to fostering independent cinema and creative filmmaking. Festival passes incorporate a combination of movies, filmmaker panels, galas and music, with deep discounts on skiing for festival pass holders. For tickets and additional information, visit www.vailfilmfestival.org or call (970) 476-1092.

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Editor's Note: Hi-res images and interviews available.