FLORENCE, Ala. — The George Lindsey UNA Film Festival has issued its official call for entries for 2008.

The Lindsey festival is a university-based showcase of student, faculty and professional works by local, state, national and international filmmakers.

The 11th annual festival will take place from March 6 through 9, with screenings, workshops, panel discussions, parties, receptions and other film-oriented events taking place on the UNA campus and other locations throughout the Muscle Shoals area of northwest Alabama.

Previous guests for the festival range from Academy Award-winning actor Ernest Borgnine, Oscar-nominated actress Diane Ladd and “Sling Blade” stars Lucas Black and Natalie Canerday to Emmy Award-winning “Seinfeld” and “NewsRadio” writer Tom Cherones, “Angel” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” makeup-effects creator Robert Hall and recording-industry figures Mike Curb and Ray Stevens.

The festival — founded by UNA alumnus George Lindsey, best known for his work on television’s classic sitcom The Andy Griffith Show — awards cash prizes to Golden Lion Award winners in each competitive category.

A grand prize of $3,000 is awarded to the student, faculty or professional film named Best of Show. A $2,000 cash award is presented to the winner of the Clyde “Sappo” Black Sweet Home Alabama Award, honoring the Best of State entry filmed anywhere in Alabama.

Categories recognize student, faculty and professional excellence in documentaries, short and full-length narratives, music videos and animated works. Student divisions cover kindergarten through college-age students.

Entry fees are $20, with student entry fees set at $10.

A late deadline has been set for Nov. 14, with entry fees at $30 for standard entries and $20 for students.

Entries will be accepted through an extended deadline of Dec. 14, with the final entry fees at $35 for standard entries and $25 for students.

For more information, call the festival office at (256) 765-4592, visit www.lindseyfilmfest.com or www.myspace.com/georgelindseyunafilmfest, or e-mail lindseyfilmfest@una.edu.