Grass-roots Canadian filmmaker Guy Maddin is the main attraction at the seventh annual Kansas International Film Festival Sept. 14-20 at the Glenwood Arts Theatre.

The nonprofit festival is dedicated to the exhibition and preservation of independent and classic cinema. It is primarily supported by Johnson County patrons and businesses.

Maddin will appear in person at the 7:10 p.m. opening night screening of his newest film, “Brand Upon The Brain,” and the 4 p.m. Saturday screening of “The Saddest Music in the World” (2003).

After graduating from the University of Winnipeg with a degree in economics, Maddin worked as both a bank teller and house painter. He began making movies at age 30 with no formal filmmaking training. His career has spanned nearly two decades and 25 films. His trademarks are a constantly moving camera, a singular light source and an obsession with black-and-white cinematography. His unique black comedic films feature eccentric characters and have been described as weird and odd. They parody the bygone era of silent films and the early talkies that originated during the Great Depression.

“The festival is indeed lucky to get to borrow such a talent from Canada, even if it is just for a few days in September,” said Benjamin Meade, KIFF president and Avila University professor of communications. “Maddin's work is a remarkable combination – visual, music and grit. I have really gotten to know Guy on a personal level over the past few months and discovered that we are a lot alike as filmmakers. Our work is quite different in one sense, but in another it's similar in that it makes many people very uncomfortable.”

In addition to Maddin, Lloyd Kaufman, head of Troma Studios and director of campy cult classics such as “The Toxic Avenger,” will appear at KIFF. He will present his latest film, “Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead” at 5:20 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 18.

Festivalgoers will be able to choose from a smorgasbord of rare delicacies and undiscovered gems.

“This year we are doing what film festivals started doing and have lost sight of,” Meade said. “Everything here is virtually unknown, cutting-edge titles that will premiere here in Overland Park. These films have no distribution deals, large bankrolls or political ties. The finished product has to stand on its own with proper execution of an original idea.

“The advent of digital filmmaking available to the masses has created a surplus of films. Our tireless committee watched over 200 feature films in their entirety and narrowed the field down to our strong lineup. We believe that with exposure at KIFF some could emerge as tomorrow's independent box office surprises.”

Other KIFF highlights include:

• A competitive component where festival audiences will have a chance to vote and offer feedback on documentary and narrative feature films that are making the rounds on the festival circuit hoping for lucrative financial prospects; and

• IFC Trailer Trash Competition, a contest sponsored by Kansas City's Independent Filmmakers Coalition and judged by Kaufman, in which local participants create grindhouse-style trailers of three minutes (or less) for an imaginary movie.

Some standout titles from the eclectic montage of 47 independent and documentary films are:

• “Strictly Background,” the world of the professional Hollywood extras and the sacrifices the most anonymous people in show business make for a few brief seconds of fame (1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15);

• “The Rich Have Their Own Photographers,” an inspirational nonfiction film about the life and artwork of America's premiere social documentary photographer alive today. Milton Rogovin, age 97, has his entire collection housed by both the Center for Creative Photography and the Library of Congress (4:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16);

• “Kansas vs. Darwin,” an emotionally charged documentary about the evolution controversy with exclusive footage of the Kansas school board hearings (7:40 p.m. Monday, Sept.17);

• “David & Layla,” this modern-day love story would go a long way to resolving the ongoing tension in the Middle East. A Jewish New Yorker falls head over heels for an exotic dancer who happens to be a Muslim refugee. Their families have a field day coming to grips with their budding relationship as kosher meets halal (7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19); and

• “Resting Places,” about the worldwide phenomenon of roadside memorials which often pit grieving families against church vs. state activists. Liam Neeson narrates the closing night film (showing at 7:45 p.m.).

A festival pass that covers admission to all films and special events is priced at $60. Individual tickets are $6.50 before 6 p.m. and $8.50 for evening shows. Discounts are available for Film League members. For more information, call 642-4404 or visit www.kansasfilm.com.

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