By Susanne Robbins

Yet another overview of the film festival deemed The World's Most Dangerous Film Festival. Maybe I am getting older but this year seemed particularly dangerous. While I don't have any visual scars, or bruises, I know it was more dangerous this year. This is also the one time when the motto "What ever happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" does not apply.

As a film festival that has hosted world premieres of such films as Spun, Bubba Ho-tep and of course last year's George A. Romero's Land of the Dead. This year was not short on premieres as well. Also a festival which has honored such people as Jack Nicholson, Nicolas Cage, Holly Hunter, and of course Christopher Walken, they out did themselves again this year. The Greenspun family, Mr. Hopper and Trevor Groth along with countless number of volunteers, made this festival once again the best film festival to attend.

The honorees this year consisted of Sly Stallone, who received a Star Award at the Brendan Theatres. Taylor Hackford was on hand as well to receive the Vanguard Director Award. His wife Helen Mirren, the beautiful Helen Mirren I might add, was on hand to accept the Marquee Award. Laurence Fishburne and Christina Ricci were both there to receive the Half-Life award for their body of work so far.

It was a privilege to cover this year's festival again with Tiffany, my partner in crime. This is now the second year of seeing wonderful films, catching amazing Q&A sessions and meeting incredibly creative and talented film makers. I was so inspired by the festival and everyone I met that upon my return last year I wrote, directed and produced my own feature. I can't wait to see what I do this year, but enough of that let's get on to the festival.

As usual we met a bunch of film makers and film lovers. The Q&A sessions are always something I look forward to when coming, and this year was no exception. Another young film maker we bonded with is Joel Kelly who we will hopefully have an interview with once I return to L.A.

Joel whose short film Denial was getting a lot of buzz around town. This is also the film that will launch Brandon Routh to stardom, ok maybe that will be Superman, I guarantee Denial will be a close second.

Other winners this year included "19 miles to Vegas" which won the Best Nevada Filmmaking short. A film made by Las Vegas native Shane Valdez. This is just another award in a list of festivals this film has won.

The Grand Jury Award went to G.I. Jesus, directed by Carl Colapert. I heard a lot of great buzz about this film while I was there.

Honorable mentions went out to The Favor, directed and written by Eva Aridjis. Along with The 4th Dimension, written and directed by Tom Mattera and Dave Mazzoni.

The Special Award for Cinematography went to 5 up 2 down, directed by Steven Kessler. Finally rounding out the awards the following shorts were recognized. Holidays with Heather, Voicemail, Transaction, One Rat Short, Bugcrush, The Pretty Boy Project, and K-7.

We ended our visit with the red carpet premiere of Lies and Alibis. A great film staring Steve Coogan, Rebecca Romijn, James Marsden, Selma Blair, Sam Elliot, Henry Rollins, John Leguizamo, Deborah Kara Unger and Jaimie King. A film about a man who helps people create alibi's so they can cheat on their loved one. It all goes awry when one of the clients ends up dead.

(Pictured above: The Fabulous 'Lies and Alibies' Cast Member Deborah Kara Unger)

Once the film was over we took a shuttle to Los Angeles, no I mean Green Valley Ranch. This place is absolutely beautiful and gigantic, here's a couple snaps to give you an idea of the grand party.

And last but not least, finally some go-go dancers of the male variety!

Tiff and I hung out and talked to Robin Leach again.

Taylor and Helen were there, I told him how inspirational he was to a young (ok not so young) film maker such as myself. Yes I was a total dork but I had to I couldn't help it.

Of course I know you all want to hear about the parties... remember what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. No I can't be that cruel, so Friday night there was an awards ceremony & reception for this years honorees. It was held by the pool at the Hard Rock hotel and was hosted by Access Hollywood's Maria Menounos & the festival's Trevor Groth.

There was a great turn out, Christina Ricci, Taylor Hackford, Dennis Hopper, Helen Mirren, to name a few...

and the party was a blast, even had an all girl string quartet playing barefoot on the beach.

Of course we then returned to the Palms and went to the Hardwood Suite. What is that you may ask, because I know that I did? It is this amazing suite with half court in the suite itself. I was of course upstairs playing pool, no wait, schooling people in pool.

(Pictured above: Film Maker Joel Kelly figures out his next move against Pool Shark Susanne Robbins)

Suddenly I hear a whistle, and all havoc breaks loose on the court. Out comes about 8-10 guys dressed in basketball jerseys on unicycles. Yes you heard me correctly, think Harlem globetrotter fashion.

All in all it was a great way to end the weekend. Once again this place has inspired me, and made me remember why I wanted to get into this business in the first place. I love film and the wonderful thing about this Film Festival is that it does as well and it shows. I hope as the years go by they continue to grow and get more and more recognition, because they deserve it. The people working behind the scenes on this festival really knock themselves out. It is always a pleasure to be a part of Cinevegas and I look forward to many more years to come.