Stars Kevin Bacon, Morgan Freeman and Laura Linney -- plus directors Bob Rafelson, Jerzy Stuhr, and Margarethe von Trotta -- are among the film folks scheduled to appear at the 27th Starz Denver International Film Festival beginning October 14 and ending on October 24. This year’s program offers 200 movies from 29 countries, making it a real challenge to choose which films to see.

After studying the festival schedule, I've put the following movies on my “must-see” list:

Ray. This Ray Charles biopic starring Jamie Foxx opens the festival on October 14 -- and Foxx himself might show up.

Nathalie. Who can resist French films about a love triangle? Not me, and especially not one starring Fanny Ardant, Emmanuelle Beart and Gerard Depardieu.

Bolero.  A dancer figures prominently in this murder mystery/detective story from the Czech Republic. The Denver screening is the film’s North American premiere, and director F.A. Brabec will be in attendance.  

The Woodsman. Kevin Bacon co-stars with wife Kyra Sedgwick n this drama about a child molester trying to adjust to life after prison. Both stars will be at the October 16 and 17 screenings.   

Being Julia.  I’m betting Annette Bening delivers another smashing performance as a diva with more than acting on her mind in this film adaptation of a W. Somerset Maugham play.

Schultze Gets the Blues. Festival director Ron Henderson says Horst Krause gives a tour-de-force performance in this tragicomedy, one of the films included in the festival’s salute to the German cinema.  

Holiday. This screwball comedy is part of the festival’s tribute to Cary Grant, who gives one of his most physical performances here under the direction of George Cukor. Katharine Hepburn co-stars.   

Rosenstrasse.  Aryan wives engage in activities to save their Jewish husbands during Nazi rule of Germany in this important drama from filmmaker Magarethe von Trotta, who will appear at the showing on October 15.

King of the Corner. Actor Peter Riegert makes his directorial debut with this comedy/drama about a marketing man going through a mid-life crisis. Riegert also stars and will be at the screenings on October 22 and 23.   

Ichabod! What’s this -- a film musical based on Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow? Yep, and its world premiere will be at the Denver festival.          

Two special events also caught my eye -- a well-deserved tribute to Morgan Freeman (October 24) and Laura Linney’s interview by Denver Post film critic Lisa Kennedy after a screening of Kinsey (October 21). Freeman will receive the Mayor’s Lifetime Achievement Award, followed by an on-stage interview by Rocky Mountain News film critic Robert Denerstein. 

Naturally, there are many other worthwhile offerings including documentaries, animated movies and short films. Clearly, the 2004 Denver International Film Festival promises a wealth of cinematic treats for movie fans. 

For further information, go to www.denverfilm.org.

(Photo: Bolero, from the 27^th Starz Denver International Film Festival Guide.)