Williams’ comedy closing CineVegas

Robin Williams is a tough act to follow. Good thing the 11th annual CineVegas film festival doesn't have to.

That's because Williams' dark comedy "World's Greatest Dad," directed by comedian (and previous CineVegas guest) Bobcat Goldthwait, will close this year's six-day CineVegas, scheduled June 10-15 at the Palms.

With more world premieres than ever, this year's CineVegas "will rock anyone looking for exhilarating new films from uninhibited and adventurous filmmakers," according to Trevor Groth, the festival's artistic director.

"World's Greatest Dad" features Williams as a high school poetry teacher trying to connect with his teenage son (Daryl Sabara) and an art teacher (Alexie Gilmore) -- until a freak accident triggers both tragedy and opportunity.

Inspired by the success of last year's inaugural documentary competition, the festival will reprise its "Pioneer Documentaries" section, featuring "seven nonfiction films that are as engaging and enlightening as any fiction film," Groth says. Among them: the world premiere of the poker documentary "All In."

"Diamond Discoveries" spotlight new independent films available for distribution, among them director Wim Wenders' "Palermo Shooting," starring CineVegas chair Dennis Hopper, and "Vegas: Based on a True Story," about a compulsive gambler and his blue-collar family living on the outskirts of Glitter City.

"Sure Bets," advance screenings of studio-backed independents, include "Moon" (with 2008 CineVegas honoree Sam Rockwell as an astronaut nearing the end of a three-year lunar stint) and "500 Days of Summer," a love-me, love-me-not tale with Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel.

The festival's "Area 52" -- devoted to midnight, underground and cult films -- ranges from the '50s classic "Attack of the 50 Foot Woman" to world premieres of the vampire buddy movie "The Revenant" and "Modus Operandi," about a desperate CIA agent.

A special section will spotlight features and shorts produced in Nevada, or by Nevada filmmakers, including the world premiere of "Thor at the Bus Stop," which follows a mythical creature on his final journey.

More information is available online at www.cinevegas.com. All-access and ticket packages are now available at www.cinevegas.com/buynow, along with local, senior, student and military discount packages.

Contact reporter Carol Cling at ccling@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0272.