Scottsdale Houses a Thriving Film Community

If you think the film industry in Scottsdale Arizona is limited to the hilarious comedy "Raising Arizona" by the Coen Brothers, you haven?t been to Scottsdale lately. Scottsdale houses a thriving film community including hosting The 11th Annual Phoenix Film Festival is taking place March 31st through April 7th, 2011 with screenings at the Harkins Cine Capri Theatre at Scottsdale 101.

The festival features over 150 films, shorts, Q&A with producers, directors, and talent and more. You can play nine holes at one of Scottsdale?s many award winning golf course resorts and then dress to the nines for the film festivals Opening Night Gala featuring the presentation of the Phoenix Film Foundation?s Visionary Award given to a key contributor to the community. Educational workshops in screenplay writing are open to aspiring middle-school and high-school directors. Festival passes range from Platinum Passes which include entry to all the events, parties, and priority seating to individual film screening passes.

Scottsdale's beautiful weather and scenery make it perfect for many outdoor activities including golf, hiking, biking, and filming. Some well-known movies filmed in Scottsdale, Arizona include Bill and Ted?s Excellent Adventure, Transamerica, and The Blue Collar Comedy Tour: The Movie. Scottsdale has many old Hollywood connections, especially The Biltmore Hotel whose illustrious guests have included Fred Astaire and Marilyn Monroe.

Hotel Valley Ho?s Magical Mystery Tour led by experts from the Ultimate Art & Cultural Tours explores the history and legends of this mid-century modern hotel?s famous Hollywood guests. Not surprising considering its natural beauty and Old West Heritage, Scottsdale has often been used for filming Westerns. The landmark Western Call of the Canyon (1923) was filmed in Sedona, Arizona. Many visitors to Arizona who follow historic Route 66 which runs through Scottsdale, might not realize that it is the real life inspiration for one the most popular movies of all time, Disney?s Cars.

In fact, many real life movie places exist in Scottsdale, including the bank that is robbed toward the end of ?Raising Arizona? which is the Reata Pass Steakhouse in North Scottsdale. Scottsdale is also home to real movie stars. Fred Graham was Hollywood?s greatest 'fight' men ever, working on Westerns, action movies, and thrillers for over 30 years before becoming the first president of the Arizona Film Commission. He was a double for John Wayne in many Arizona Westerns, Jimmy Stewart in Vertigo, Cary Grant in To Catch A Thief, and many more. Comedian and actor David Spade grew up in Scottsdale and did stand-up at many of Scottsdale?s popular nightclubs. Basketball Hall of Famer and perhaps the best known and best loved Harlem Globe Trotter, Meadowlark Lemon now lives in Scottsdale.

If you need more proof that Scottsdale, Arizona, ignites the film imagination, you can look at one of its most famous residents. Throughout his early teenage years, famed film director Steven Spielberg made amateur 8 mm "adventure" films with his friends, many of them shot at the Pinnacle Peak Patio restaurant in Scottsdale.