Film festival appoints new director

Laurie Kirby is the new executive director of the Ojai Film Festival. The eighth annual festival will be Thurs., Oct. 4 through Sun., Oct. 7.

Kirby was the executive director of the Newport International Film Festival (2003-07).

The 2007 Ojai festival will feature Julie Christie, serving as a curator for films of topical interest; the honoring of cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond; and the west coast premiere of "Numb," with the film's stars Matthew Perry and Mary Steenburgen in attendance.

For more information, visit www.ojaifilmfestival.com.