The festival is honored to welcome Irvin Kershner, who will present his 1980 film The Empire Strikes Back, the second release in George Lucas' Star Wars series.

When Irvin Kershner took the rather intimidating assignment of directing the sequel to George Lucas' megahit Star Wars, he brought a darker and more serious vision to the series. The film is deeply dramatic, thoughtful and emotional, yet the special effects and action that get audiences cheering are there in abundance.

Unlike the original film and Episode VI, Empire was left largely unchanged when it was re-released as the Special Edition in 1997.

The story: After an action-packed battle with Imperial forces, the rebels escape from their base on the ice planet Hoth. Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) travels to the marsh planet of Dagobah, where he is instructed in the ways of the Force by the legendary Jedi master Yoda (Frank Oz). Meanwhile, Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) make their way to the planet Bespin, where they are greeted by Han's old friend, a shifty gambler named Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams). Ambushed by the Empire shortly after their arrival, Han and his friends are imprisoned by Darth Vader. Luke sets out to rescue his friends, but is met by Vader and a startling revelation.

Followed by Q&A (8:30PM show only)

Year: 1980
Director: Irvin Kershner
Rating: PG
Runtime: 124min.