The El Paso Community Foundation is launching another classic film festival. The second annual event, which drew more than 30,000 people last year, will be Aug. 6-16 in and around the Plaza Theatre.

Actor Michael York will appear to talk about the making of "Cabaret," the 1969 Oscar-winning musical in which he starred with Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey. And film historian Nick Clooney (he's George's dad) will be making an appearance at the festival along with several other Hollywood actors. Clooney will discuss the 1959 comedy "Some Like It Hot," one of the highlights of the festival's Aug. 7 schedule.

This list of films is truly amazing -- there will be something for everyone this year. And ticket prices remain very affordable.

Three free movies will be shown on the Arts Festival Plaza, two of which are, the Beatles' "A Hard Day's Night" (Aug. 7) and "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" (Aug. 14). El Paso band Sleepercar will rock the plaza just before the Beatles movie, and disco tribute band Fungi Mungle will be the prelude to the "Rocky Horror" show.

A few highlights of the 2009 Festival include: "Lawrence of Arabia," "West Side Story," "Star Wars," "Gone With the Wind," "Shane" and "Mary Poppins" .

--The festival will open at 1 p.m. Aug. 6 with an open house at the Plaza Theatre and end with a 7 p.m. Aug. 16 showing of "Chinatown." Events are scheduled to take place in the Plaza and Philanthropy theaters as well as Arts Festival Plaza. See the event schedule for a complete listing.

Profits from ticket sales will go to the Plaza Film Fund, which will pay for future festivals and related activities.

For the latest information, scheduling, ticket prices, please go to the festival website:
www. plazaclassic.com.