The ninth annual CineVegas Film Festival that runs in Las Vegas from Jun 6-16 will open with Ocean's Thirteen following the film's out of competition screening in Cannes.

Ocean's Thirteen producer Jerry Weintraub will be presented with the Vanguard Producer Award during the opening night festivities at the Palms Casino, the proceeds of which will go to support Darfur relief efforts.

'CineVegas has truly hit the jackpot with Ocean's Thirteen,' festival artistic director Trevor Groth said. 'From the original - starring the iconic Vegas legends the Rat-Pack - through the first two installments of the new Ocean's franchise, the films have emanated an unsurpassed coolness fuelled by the essence of Las Vegas.

'CineVegas is honoured to open the festival with a film based on our turf that will launch us into the stratosphere of global recognition.'

Weintraub's producing credits include Cruising, The Karate Kid, the Ocean's franchise, and the upcoming family release Nancy Drew. He served as executive producer on Nashville.

For complete programme details visit the website at www.cinevegas.com.