Film Notes: Breslin to star in next 'American Girl' film

"Little Miss Sunshine's" Abigail Breslin will play the title role of "Kitt Kittredge: An American Girl Mystery." Breslin, who earned an Oscar nomination for her role as an unlikely beauty pageant contestant in "Little Miss Sunshine," will play the resourceful 9-year-old growing up in 1934, during the Great Depression. Other adaptations featuring the characters of Molly, Felicity and Samantha aired on the Disney Channel or former WB network.

The movie is being called "Kit Kittredge: An American Girl Mystery," and a casting call has gone out for girls ages 8 to 12 to appear in other roles. The American Girl Web site says they must be available for filming in Toronto (but of course) from May 29 to July 13. Open casting calls will be held at American Girl Place retail stores in Los Angeles on Monday, Chicago on Tuesday and New York on May 14.

Go to for more details on release forms, applications and audition scripts. The movie is scheduled to open July 2, 2008. No word yet on whether Abigail will dye her hair blond or wear a short wig so she looks more like the character.

The first GI Film Festival will be held during Memorial Day weekend at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. The event, which organizers hope will be an annual one, will present classic and new movies celebrating the "heroic stories of the American armed forces and the worldwide struggle for freedom and liberty.

" Actor Gary Sinise and singer Pat Boone will be among the celebrities introducing films. Also on tap: panel discussions with soldiers, journalists, authors and filmmakers; awards for the best feature, documentary and short films; plus a three-day exhibit where visitors can learn about military organizations. It accounted for 95 percent of all weekly ticket sales, which doesn't bode well for "Lucky You," its only wide competition.

More than 100 midnight shows were sold out, prompting many theaters to add 3 a.m. screenings to accommodate the spillover.

In an online poll, 59 percent of respondents said they would not consider buying a ticket to a fourth "Spider-Man" if it didn't star Tobey Maguire. Up for grabs: The peach dresses and shoes worn by Beyonce Knowles, Jennifer Hudson and Anika Noni Rose, along with the silver silk tuxedo sported by Eddie Murphy. The auction started Saturday and will end Tuesday night.

Variety strives to help abused, addicted, physically challenged, neglected and/or underprivileged children throughout Southern California. Since November 2005, has raised more than $252,000 by auctioning off Hollywood and sports memorabilia. Click to find the "Dreamgirls" bidding.

It's sort of like "American Idol" for makers of local music videos. Some of Pittsburgh's top musicians and audio artists are providing the soundtrack for Film Kitchen's "Our Sounds, Your Pictures Music-Video Contest." The event, with cash prizes, audience voting and live music, will be Tuesday at the Regent Square Theater, 1035 S.

Braddock Ave., Edgewood. Film Kitchen solicited songs and audio tracks two to three minutes long from local artists and then asked video makers to prepare a video for one of the tracks.

Videos will be shown and judges will award cash prizes, including $200 for the winner. The audience also will vote for its favorite. Contributing video artists, all Pittsburgh-based, include the bands Black Moth Super Rainbow, Boca Chica, Centipede E'est and Shade; solo musicians David Bernabo and Ben Opie; sound artist Steve Boyle; and spoken-work artist Vanessa German.

The show will conclude with a set of live rock by Centipede E'est. Reception starts at 7 p.m.

, show at 8 p.m. Admission, $6.

Go to for more information, including how to submit your work for future screenings.