(CALGARY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2008) WordFest: Banff-Calgary International Writers Festival announced its 2008 author lineup and schedule of events at the official launch in Calgary today. Over 70 authors and artists from 11 countries will take part in the annual literary Festival from Tuesday, October 14 through Sunday, October 19, 2008 at various cultural venues in Calgary and Banff. With over 60 events - there is something for everyone!

The launch was held at Virginia Christopher Gallery where over 100 people gathered to be the first to hear the incredible line up of writers taking part in the 62 events that comprise WordFest. The crowd was delighted to hear that Austin Clarke will be the 2008 Banff Distinguished Author. Appearing with Clarke are Amanda Boyden and Stéphane Audeguy. Announced along with the stellar line up of Festival authors were special events with authors Miriam Toews on September 17th at the Central Library’s John Dutton Theatre, John Ralston Saul on October 6th at the Vertigo Centre Playhouse and Bill Richardson on October 27th at the Central Library’s John Dutton Theatre. 

Unique events are occurring as a result of the interesting partnerships developing and cultivated between WordFest and the community.  Of note is the Hazel Hutchins’ presentation of Tess with accompaniment by Honens Laureate, Hinrich Alpers to the musical score written by Allan Rae. WordFest, The Junior League of Calgary and Storehouse 39-3-10 are presenting Sheree Fitch as part of the Run & Jump & Play program that prepares children for kindergarten with the overall goal of breaking the cycle of poverty and illiteracy. Other events stemming from community partnerships include One Native Life with Richard Wagamese, The Blue Metropolis Translation Slam with David Homel, Genni Gunn and Susan Ouriou where one piece of work is translated by two different translators to discuss the art of translating and Vous m’en lirez tant, a Radio Canada national broadcast involving WordFest authors and patrons alike.

New to the Festival is Moving Stories Film Festival, a hilarious, odd and poignant program of short films from all over the world. Moving Stories Films kicks off with a red carpet screening and gala and continues throughout the Festival with workshops with curators and advisors Judith Keenan, Anne Collins, Paul Quarrington, Nino Ricci and special guests to be announced at a later date.

Presented in partnership with the Canadian Women’s Foundation, Lattes, Love and Laughter, was such a hit last year that it will be brought back in 2008 alongside events specifically for men! Lattes, Love and Laughter is a celebration of the everyday and courageous moments of females. This is included within the Venus and Mars Series along with I am Canadian (and yes, this does involve hockey) and Men about Men, an event that unveils the male mindset behind strong male protagonists.

“The array of talent joining us is phenomenal this year.  It is hard to pinpoint any one event or any one day as the highlight of the Festival; the program is so rich and varied that every day is a highlight. When I step back and look at the program I am very happy with it – it is probably the best ever. I am so excited about the expansion of Festival des mots; it seems the Festival keeps growing, allowing us to proudly say there truly is something for everyone, yet it remains intimate, an aspect that both the artists and attendees appreciate,” said Festival Director Anne Green.

“We are especially excited about this year’s line-up of authors at the 2008 WordFest, including Paul Quarrington and his band the Porkbelly Futures performing in our Club on Friday, October 17; and Austin Clarke, Amanda Boyden, and Stéphane Audeguy presenting at the Banff Distinguished Author Series, on Saturday, October 18,” said President & CEO of The Banff Centre, Mary E. Hofstetter.

The Festival will takes place in Calgary and Banff from October 14-19, 2008. Early bird passes are on sale until September 14th.  Visit wordfest.com for more information. 

2008 Artists Include:
Nadeem Aslam (UK), Hinrich Alpers (GER), Stéphane Audeguy (FRA), Oana Avasilichioaei (CAN), Neil Bissoondath (CAN), Amanda Boyden (CAN/USA), Joseph Boyden (CAN), Coral Bracho (MEX), Brian Brennan (CAN), Cecil Castellucci (CAN), Marty Chan (CAN), Alberto Chimal (MEX), Austin Clarke (CAN), Tish Cohen (CAN), Anne Collins (CAN), John Connolly (IRL), Andrew Davidson (CAN), Sylvie Desrosiers (CAN), William Deverell (CAN), Claudia Dey (CAN), Caterina Edwards (CAN), Deborah Ellis (CAN), Marina Endicott (CAN), Leif Enger (USA), Sheree Fitch (CAN), Elena Forbes (UK), Damon Galgut (SA), Steven Galloway (CAN), Bill Gaston (CAN), Marie-Louise Gay (CAN), Charlotte Gill (CAN), Annie Groovie (CAN), Genni Gunn (CAN), Rawi Hage (CAN), Louise Halfe (CAN), Kenneth J. Harvey (CAN), Lee Henderson (CAN), David Homel (CAN), Chris CC Humphreys (CAN), Hazel Hutchins (CAN), Ikwunga (NGA), Gail Jones (AUS), Judith Keenan (CAN), Elizabeth Knox (NZL), Shane Koyczan (CAN), Rachel Kushner (USA), Patrick Lane (CAN), Martine Latulippe (CAN), JonArno Lawson (CAN), Mike Lent (CAN), Randall Maggs (CAN), Sandra McIntyre (CAN), Miles Merrill (AUS), Donna Morrissey (CAN), Susan Ouriou (CAN), Shane Peacock (CAN), Geofrroy de Pennart (FRA), Paul Quarrington (CAN), Nino Ricci (CAN), William Neil Scott (CAN), Jaspreet Singh (CAN), Arthur G Slade (CAN), Kinnie Starr (CAN), Fred Stenson (CAN), Beverley Stone (CAN), Leonie Swann (GER), Drew Hayden Taylor (CAN), Richard Wagamese (CAN), Samantha Warwick (CAN), Sheri-D Wilson (CAN), Meg Wolitzer (USA) and Ronald Wright (CAN).

FESTIVAL PASSES AND TICKETS NOW ON SALE!

Single tickets range from $6 to $20
Early Bird Festival Passes are $100 for a Gold Pass, $70 for a Calgary Pass and $40 for a Banff Pass.
After September 14, $110 for a Gold Pass, $80 for a Calgary Pass and $50 for a Banff Pass.
To purchase your Festival Pass call the WordFest office at 403.294.7462
To purchase single tickets call Ticketmaster at 403.777.0000 or
The Banff Centre Box Office at 1.800.413.8368 (for Banff events only).

Tickets are available online at wordfest.com.

WordFest would like to thank the following public bodies for their support of the Festival: Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Calgary Arts Development Authority, City of Calgary, Canada Council for the Arts, Department of Canadian Heritage, Government of Canada, Australia Arts Council, The Calgary Foundation, Républic Francaise, FONCA, Goethe-Institut Toronto, New Zealand Book Council and The Writers Union of Canada.

WordFest would also like to thank the following companies for their support of the Festival:  Alberta Views, Altalink, The Banff Centre, Calgary Herald, CANA Construction Company Ltd, Canada Safeway Foundation, CBC Radio One, CBC Television, CJSW, Electric Media, Fairmont Palliser, First Calgary Savings, HOK Canada, National Car Rental, Radio Canada, Random House of Canada Ltd., Stantec, Swerve, Telus, TransCanda, University of Calgary, Vertigo Mystery Theatre and WestJet.

This year Pages Books on Kensington is the official Calgary bookseller, The Banff Book and Art Den is the official Banff bookseller and Librairie Monette Ltèe. is the official Calgary French bookseller.