Daniel Atchison's drama Akeelah And The Bee will open and Nicole Holofcener's LosAngeles-set friendship drama Friends With Money will close the 15th Philadelphia FilmFestival.

This year's event, which runs from Mar 30 to Apr 11, introducesnew sections catering to families and music lovers and honours Susan Sarandonwith the Artistic Achievement Award.

Among the 200-plus screenings from 41 counties are Crisit Puiu'sRomanian black comedy The Death Of Mr Lazarescu, John Hillcoat's Australian-UKredemption tale The Proposition, Neil Marshall's UK horror story The Descent, and Kirby Dick's US censorshipdocumentary This Film Is Not Yet Rated.

The centrepiece screenings are Paul Weitz' American Dreamz, Liz Friedlander's Take The Lead, Ryan Fleck's Half Nelson, James Marsh's The King, Julian Jarrold's Kinky Boots, Paul McGuigan's Lucky Number Slevin, Alex Steyermark's One Last Thing, and Lee Daniels' Shadowboxer.

The new For The Family programme includes Hoot, based on Carl Hiaasen's tale about anendangered owl habitat that New Line will release later this year, PearseElliott's Irish greyhound racing drama The Mighty Celt starring Gillian Anderson, and MitraSen's story of religious tolerance The Peace Tree.

The inaugural Lights! Camera! Music! section includes LianLunson's documentary Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man, Stephen Woolley's Brian Jones biographyStoned, and KeithFulton and Louis Pepe's mockumentary Brothers Of The Head.

For more detailsvisit the official website at www.phillyfests.com.