By Lissah Lorberbaum
AFI FEST Daily News

Scene from VITUS, one of six films reviewed for the Under 18 Film Guide to AFI FEST 2006 presented by Audi.

Have someone under 18 in the house? Wondering what movies an avid, movie-loving youngster might enjoy at AFI FEST 2006 presented by Audi?

The AFI FEST Screen Education Program and the Skirball Cultural Center introduce the Under 18 Film Guide to AFI FEST 2006.

Devised to help children and their families sort through which AFI FEST films are appropriate for younger fans, the Under 18 Guide is an effort to make the film festival experience as a whole - not just a sidebar - accessible to families.

"We at Skirball feel the Under 18 Guide is an important project because AFI FEST 2006 is a very relevant cultural event for international films and international communities," said Ilaan E. Mazzini, Family Program Coordinator at the Skirball Cultural Center.

"The Guide gives the general public an entrŽe to the film festival environment, allowing them to familiarize and connect with other cultures."

The creation of the Under 18 Guide has been a labor of love of Mazzini, Associate Director of Education at Skirball Cultural Center Dorothy Macendrick and AFI FEST Screen Education Specialist Larra Anderson.

The Guide has also received support from KLCS, The Education Station.

"We feel these films are both of interest to kids, and really are important for kids to see. We want parents and kids to talk about these films, to engage each other in conversation about these films," says Anderson.

The Under 18 Guide highlights and reviews 10 feature length films showing throughout AFI FEST 2006. In it, a quick synopsis of each film, along with a list of "Big Pluses," "Points of Interest," and "What you should be aware of."

"Big Pluses" for films in this year's guide include such descriptors as, "Depiction of strong young women in Iran standing up for their rights," and, "A good narrative way to learn about China under Communism."

Reviews reflect the educational and entertainment value of each of the chosen films so families will be comfortable finding films they are sure to enjoy, and maybe even be inspired by.

Not comfortable with a lot of strong language? Wondering about a film's treatment of the issue of mortality? The Under 18 Film Guide answers those pertinent questions as well.

This year's guide even alerts you to the welfare of any animals that might be in each film.

Films reviewed in the Under 18 Guide:

• AIR GUITAR NATION, November 6, 7:00 PM, and November 7, 4:15 PM
• BAB'AZIZ, November 11, 6:45 PM, and November 12, 12:30 PM
• FISSURES, November 6, 4:15 PM
• OFFSIDE, November 8, 7:30 PM, and November 9, 4:45 PM
• THE ROAD, November 6, 3:00 PM
• VITUS, November 7, 6:45 PM, and November 8, 2:00 PM

Pick up a printed copy of the Under 18 Film Guide at the AFI FEST Box Office in the Rooftop Village at ArcLight Hollywood, or download it from www.AFI.com/AFIFEST and www.skirball.org.