Q: How long have you been with CineVegas and how long has there been a CineVegas?
A: This will be my fifth CineVegas starting Friday. This is number eight overall, but when they hired me there had been a couple years lapsed and we started fresh and wiped the slate clean. I think of it more as in its fifth year.

Q: How do you divide this with Sundance?
A: Sundance takes place in January. So, my year shifts. Six months I do CineVegas and six months I do Sundance.

Q: Well, as a film festival veteran, was there some need for another film festival like CineVegas?
A: That is an interesting question. There are film festivals popping up all over in every major city. I think film festivals serve a purpose for each city where they are located rather than how they fit into the bigger scheme of the film industry. That is a different story. Like for CineVegas I thought there was going to be a hole in June but that same year Tribeca announced they were going to be happening in May and the L.A. one moved closer as well. So it became a crowded time period. But luckily we all have different enough programming and there are enough films to go around.

Q: How would you describe CineVegas' appeal or area?
A: Right from the start I embraced the energy that is Las Vegas. It is a very dynamic city. I thought the films that would play well there were risk takers. Ones that pushed the boundaries of film making thematically or aesthetically. That said, a good festival has a balance and offers something for everyone. But I think what defines CineVegas are those outlaw films that might stir up the audience.

Q: Can you give an example of a quintessential CineVegas moment?
A: I think bringing Hunter S. Thompson to the festival for a documentary on him was a very special moment. I think his sort of mentality, the way he lived his life and his sort of journalism are something that represents the energy that the festival wants to embrace as well. To have him there in Las Vegas where he had not been since he wrote "Fear and Loathing" was a magical moment and one I won't forget.

Q: Then you remember it was a fiasco?
A: Well yes. When you are dealing with Hunter S. Thompson there is going to be a lot of craziness mixed in too. He did not make it to his panel but he did make it to his screening and I thought it was a really incredible night.

Q: Explain the " World's Most Dangerous Film Festival" tag.
A: We were dubbed that by a filmmaker who had been through the festival a couple years ago. What sets CineVegas apart: the challenging nature of the films we show and the nightlife parties that encompass the festival. We want people to see the films but we also want them to go on the crazy ride of a festival in Vegas.

Q: So would you say "festive" is more an emphasis word than at other film festivals?
A: Yes. That is what Las Vegas has to offer. Having our festival at the Palms presents many opportunities. We show our movies there, we all meet there, and we have many of our parties there. It really creates a universe and celebration of film atmosphere that is incredible.

Q: What are the highlights you could recommend this year in terms of what to see?
A: Our opening night film "Strangers With Candy" is a perfect way to kick off the festival. It is very subversive yet still a hilarious comedy with a great cast that includes Stephen Colbert who is amazing in it and the cast of the TV show. But for me the festival is really defined by its world premieres. It is the first time these artists are unveiling their work, and this year we have a terrific group of them.

Q: Can you pick one for me?
A: There is a movie called "The Favor," directed by Eva Aridjis. I know her because I showed a couple of her short films at Sundance over the years. This is her feature debut. I think that it is as intelligent and well-crafted a debut as you are going to see by a young filmmaker. It is a character-driven drama that really captures the lives of its characters and it is incredibly rich and moving.

Q: Has it been hard to convince serious filmmakers to come to Las Vegas to premiere their work?
A: I've been surprised by how easy it has been. I've found that the films that I see that I want to show at CineVegas, those filmmakers love the idea of CineVegas and want to become involved.