'The Artist' to spread out Santa Further ed fest

The Santa Further ed Film Festival has set Michel Hazanavicius' "The Artist" since it's opening evening film on March. 20 for that four-day festival, now in the twelfth year. "The Artist" stars Jean Dujardin, who won Best Actor in the Cannes Film Festival. The festival also introduced Friday the selection includes the U.S. premiere of British director Terence Davies' postwar romantic drama "The Dark Blue Ocean" starring Rachel Weisz. Its closing evening film is going to be "Monsieur Lazhar," directed by Philippe Falardeau, Canada's official submission towards the 84th Oscars for the best Language Film. "Ninja Kids," a comedy from Takashi Miike ("13 Assassins"), will even get a special screening in the Lensic Carrying out Arts Center. Selection includes Finland's Oscar entry "Le Havre," Iran's Oscar entry "A Separation," Turkey's Oscar entry "Not So Long Ago in Anatolia" and "Wild Horses and Renegades," directed by James Anaquad Kleinert, Diane Schneier Perrin, who's creating credits include "Blue Steel," "Talk Radio" and "Turnaround of Fortune," may be the professional director from the festival. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com