Films from Dakota Fanning to Abe Vigoda (Who Is Not Dead, P.S.); Family Movies Debate to Move Audiences at IFFF with Two Studio Pre-Releases.

LOS ANGELES -- Rumors of Abe Vigoda's demise have been a tongue-in-cheek media sport since People magazine once false-started his obit with an unfortunate misprint in a go-go 80's article, followed in this decade by ABC's "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" feeding the fire with: "Of these five celebrities, which one is not dead?" (Answer: Abe Vigoda). All doubt will finally be removed with the release of first-time writer/director Francine Pellegrino's "Sweet Destiny" at the International Family Film Festival (IFFF) in Valencia, California, 9/23-10/1.

"My first romantic lead," Vigoda deadpanned, "with Carmen. One of the most beautiful women in the world." (Carmen is the Target(R) pitchster/Original Supermodel).

Dr. Suzanne Shoemaker, IFFF Director, said, "Besides two exciting major studio pre-release premieres from DreamWorks and Laika Entertainment/Vinton Studios, this year we are giving the Tony Sopranos of the world a different tune to sing with 'Sweet Destiny' about Italian family values without blood and bullets."

The showing of a Vigoda feel-good vehicle set in Boston's historic North End alongside "Dreamer: Inspired By a True Story" (Dreamworks), starring Kurt Russell, blazing newcomer Dakota Fanning, Elizabeth Shue, and Kris Kristofferson, with the highly-anticipated animated big budget short "Moongirl" (Laika/Vinton) make a strong statement in support of family films at the festival and underscore the on-going, though unspoken, Hollywood debate as to whether films labeled "family" actually perform at the box office. In fact, during the festival week, 80 films from 50 countries will challenge the notion that "Family" as a genre equals less ticket sales.

"Dreamer," which has been described as 'Seabiscuit meets Horse Whisperer,' pits horse trainer Russell in a struggle to save an injured filly and win the love of daughter Fanning. The film opens on Oct. 21 with domestic distribution by DreamWorks Pictures and Hyde Park Entertainment handling the international release. "Moongirl," directed by Henry Selick and Laika/Vinton, will screen continuously with Selick receiving the IFFF's Friz Award, named in honor of animation great Friz Freleng, at the closing night black-tie awards ceremony (open to the public) on Oct. 1 at the Hyatt Grand Ballroom in Valencia.

Family-friendly films don't just have it rough with the executives in Hollywood. "My family still thinks I'm crazy for making this film," said Pellegrino, a stand-up comic turned filmmaker. After making "Sweet Destiny" for three years and $1 M USD, "the only two family members that supported me without question were my mother and sister," she said. But the New York native did get a nod from "The Sopranos'" Frank Santorelli (a Boston-based stand-up comic) and John Fiore ("LA Law") who appear on screen. Frankie Avalon also gave the thumbs up; he performs an original song with Livingston Taylor in the film. (Pellegrino still awaits major distribution).

Vigoda, the man for whom the word "dour" was invented, remains an eternal optimist about this family movie and supportive of the IFFF cause. "Working on 'Destiny' was like working on 'The Godfather' (he played Tessio). Francine Pellegrino, the director, gave me the freedom to create my own character." Which is a good thing, because the latest capper to the Vigoda rumor mill is www.deadpeople.info, a website that tries to correct his health status, ironically, by listing him as "alive" with a page of his very own. For more information about the new lease on life for Vigoda and family films, see www.iffilmfest.org, which even sponsors kid-only competitions for screenwriting and filmmaking, as well as a panel of workshops and awards for grown-ups.