Nevada County film producer Steve Lantz is bringing to the Nevada Theatre his prize-winning documentary "The Phoenix Lights," a movie about UFOs.

Co-produced with Arizona resident Lynne Kitei - a key witness of the event wrote "The Phoenix Lights: A Skeptics Discovery That We Are Not Alone" - the story starts on March 13, 1997. While looking skyward for a glimpse of the Hale-Bopp Comet that day, thousands of Arizona residents also witnessed a mile-wide, V-shaped formation of lights slowly and silently gliding over their heads.

UFO buffs call it the most documented mass sighting ever recorded. Not surprisingly, however, the official explanation offered by authorities is that the lights were flares dropped by military aircraft. Forty-four credible eyewitnesses, scientists and experts give testimony to the reality of these mysterious visitations.

Since its debut seven years ago, the film has been attracting crowds of movie-goers in Arizona. It recently won best director at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival and is now an official selection at the Los Angeles International Independent Film and Video Festival in September.

Hollywood glitterati will have their own V.I.P. screening at Warner Brothers Studios on Aug. 19.

Lantz, who has been making films of all kinds for 25 years, will be present for questions at the Nevada City showing.

Know and go



WHAT: Showing of "The Phoenix Lights," a UFO documentary

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Nevada Theatre, 401 Broad St., Nevada City

ADMISSION: $6 Adults, $5 Seniors and children under 13

INFORMATION: Call 274-FILM for general information. Visit www.thephoenixlights.net on the Web for specifics.