Every year, film festivals across the nation expose us to the best that the movie-making community has to offer. And Las Vegas has never been soft on this. With a growing list of local production companies and a location that cannot be matched, Sin City is slowly rising in the ranks, chasing Hollywood, Chicago and New York. This year is no different.

Just before the Africa-like heat stifles the valley and sends the power company into orgasmic billing joy, CineVegas rolls into town. This year they’re giving us six days of independent and mainstream celluloid to love. The festival never falters when providing the ticket-buying public with a wide spectrum of options of genuine artistic talent. Compared to other cities hosting similar events, Vegas generally doesn’t pack in the big, summer commercial releases. Instead, the star of the show is the actual quality of the work displayed. With such a wide variety of new and festival-circuit picks, the long list of films will bring something for everyone to enjoy. Not to mention the well-known Vegas parties that will commence every night after the last credit rolls.  And no one throws down better than Sin City, with 24-hour access to everything and anything.

Leading the charge and proving to all that CineVegas is here to stay, legendary actor Dennis Hopper sits as chair on the Creative Advisory Board. Hopper has proved that the small film exposition has merit and should not be overlooked as just another tourist trap for the gambling capital. Back in 1998, no one thought the Little Festival That Could, would remain relevant, with its large roster of small productions and very little national press. But just 11 years later, the caliber of work has risen and even major box office bonanzas get a chance to show off early in the desert.

Now comfortable in the halls of the trendy Palms Casino Resort, CineVegas has triumphed as a driving force, inspiring and motivating diverse talent to turn in their best efforts. Though some of the selections have been viewed at other festivals, it is the headline features and large body of independents that will bring about much more interest than in previous years. With big-budget-effects movies and remakes/reboots flooding the screens, indie filmmakers have to step up their game and produce work that will shine even among all that eye candy. CineVegas provides an outlet for these dedicated artists, giving them the freedom to express genuine craft with innovative visual style and story lines that are not usually picked up by the big studios.

Sure to start the festival off right, the opening-night feature, Saint John of Las Vegas is executive produced by Spike Lee. Early buzz tags this as a smash indie hit. One of the hardest working actors out there, Steve Buscemi, slides into the lead along with the word-vomiting Sarah Silverman. Written and directed by Hue Rhodes, in his first feature length project. With inspiration coming from Dante’s Inferno, the former gambling addict and title character John finds himself in the path of his weakness when returning to Las Vegas to pursue a bit of insurance fraud. Along the way, John encounters some very Cohen-esque characters, some of which just may be helping him on his road to redemption, while others, hilariously at times, are just the type of people you would find in a place like this. Rounding out the motley crew our title character has to contend with on his journey, the master skills of Tim Blake Nelson as Ned; stripping to his birthday suit for the role, the very talented Peter Dinklage as Mr. Townsend; and Showtime’s Weeds stand out Romany Malco as John’s mentor Virgil. Showing Wednesday, June 10th at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino,

This year’s event closer is no small picture either, a big draw for its marquee star, Robin Williams, once again taking that journey over to the dramatic side for CineVegas, returning favorite Bobcat Goldthwait directed dark comedy World’s Greatest Dad. The unbeatable talent that is Williams stars as Lance Clayton, a high school poetry teacher dreaming of the day when all his work will payoff, and he can put aside this life. Until a bizarre incident puts that future in his hands, if he can carry the weight of truth on his soul. The uncanny writing of Goldthwait literally consumes the film, giving us more than one can expect in the realm of one man’s quest for fame while dealing with personal tragedy. Breakout star Alexie Gilmore as Lance’s secret yet obvious love interest defies the boundaries of a teacher-teacher relationship, and brings life to a character that easily could have been sidelined by the captivating Williams. But stealing the screen, if only briefly, is Daryl Sabara, as the foul-mouthed, over-the-top son Kyle, the least popular kid at school, and for many a good reason. His highs are way out there and his lows bring about some unexpected and twisted results, filled with more teen angst than hopefully our current generation has to deal with. This will be the festival ender that will not soon be forgotten, For good reason.

Jackpot Premieres

Asylum Seekers  |  Six people on the verge of a breakdown decide to check themselves into an insane asylum, only to discover there is just room for one. Saturday, June 13th at 3:30 PM.

Daylight |  When pregnant newlywed Irene is violently taken hostage, she confronts the truth about her marriage–and finds a state of unexpected grace–in her fight to survive. Thursday, June 11th at 8:30 PM.

Easier with Practice |  While on a road trip to promote his unpublished novel, Davy Mitchell finds himself falling for a mysterious phone sex caller. Friday, June 12th at 3:30 PM.

Etienne | After Richard’s best and only friend, a dwarf hamster named Etienne, is diagnosed with terminal cancer, he decides to take his pocket pet on a bicycle road trip up the California coast to show it the world before he must put it to sleep. Friday, June 12th at 8:30 PM.

Godspeed |  An intense, dramatic thriller set in the lingering light of the Alaskan midnight sun. Saturday, June 13th at 6PM.

Mercy |  A successful but cynical young writer pens about love but does not really believe in it until he meets Mercy, who turns his world upside down. Saturday, June 13th at 8:30 PM.

Patriotville |  An idealistic museum manager and a beautiful troublemaker go to war with a corrupt mayor to stop a casino from being built on their town’s historic battlefield. Saturday, June 13th at 10:30 AM.

Redland | As a family struggles to survive in rural isolation during the great depression, their daughter’s secret affair begins a journey in the unknown. Thursday, June 11th at 6 PM.