While Hollywood has been deemed film’s epicenter, New York City, time and time again, brings culture and life into film.

So what better place to premiere the new art house films of the year than the city that celebrates everything they stand for. The New York Film Festival was founded in 1963 by Amos Vogel and Richard Roud, two prominent film writers and critics.

The films shown throughout the two- week long event are chosen by the Film Society of Lincoln Center. There are no awards, thus it's a noncompetitive festival, but the best reason for film enthusiasts to go out and see some of the most anticipated films of the year.

The festival began on September 30 and will continue until October 16th. Each day there are many free and cheap events to attend, though seeing one film could cost you up to $24. However, there are tons of film forums and lectures given by significant filmmakers and actors.

Another interesting addition to the festival is “Views from the Avant Garde,” sponsored by HBO Films. It is essentially scheduled dialogues of directors paired with a journalist to discuss their experiences, their approach to making movies, and their thoughts on the future of film. This segment will be running from October 7-10.

Furthermore, there will be many free events with actors and directors at places around the city, such as various Apple Stores and throughout Lincoln Center. Appearing on October 13 at the Apple Store on the Upper West Side will be Wes Anderson, possibly one of the most famous independent filmmakers.

Anderson is most well known for the 2001 film “The Royal Tenenbaums,” but more recently debuted “Fantastic Mr. Fox” and “The Darjeeling Limited.” Some of the most prominent actors who have, and will be making appearances include Willem Defoe, Antonio Banderas, and John Lithgow.

Banderas, for example, is the lead role in world-renowned Spanish director, Pedro Almodovar's film, “The Skin I Live In.” Banderas plays the role of a famed plastic surgeon who becomes obsessed with developing a new, tougher human skin. His character takes it to the extreme when he imprisons a woman in his home to test out different treatments on her.

Almodovar is one of the foremost directors in Spain, and also the world. “The Skin I live In” is shaping up to be yet another testament to his genius.

Almodovar himself will appear at the Film Center Amphitheater at Lincoln Center on October 14th at 5PM, moderated by Richard Pena, the current director of the NYFF.

Also in the international film scope, is the emergence of a movie named “Miss Bala,” from Mexico. It was directed by Gerardo Naranjo and has been very well received at the Cannes, Toronto, and San Sebastian film festivals.

It chronicles the harrowing story of a Mexican beauty pageant contestant who becomes entangled in the drug trafficking business in Tijuana. “Miss Bala” has received much attention because of the connection with the current issues surrounding the drug cartels in Mexican cities.

On the American front, the most anticipated films to debut include “My Week With Marilyn,” “Carnage,” “Melancholia,” and “A Dangerous Method.”

“My Week with Marilyn” is a biopic of the late Marilyn Monroe, played by the dynamic Michelle Williams, who showed her sublime talent in last year’s “Blue Valentine.”It is based off of two memoirs written by Colin Clark, that depict Monroe during the production of Laurence Olivier’s film “The Prince and the Showgirl.”

“Carnage,” directed by Roman Polanski, is a fast-paced dialogue that goes south between two couples after their sons engaged in a playground fight against one another. Starring Jodi Foster, John C. Reilly, Kate Winslet, and Christoph Waltz, this is looking to be an interesting, quotable dark comedy.

“Melancholia,” directed by Lars Von Trier, is this year’s end of the world movie that is more than meets the eye. It is a beautiful depiction of the collapse of the world and of the spirit. Starring Kirsten Dunst and Charlotte Gainsbourg, “Melancholia” is expected to be an engaging drama of human deterioration.

To explore more movies debuting at the New York Film Festival, visit http://www.filmlinc.com/nyff2011/ for the full event schedule.

You can purchase tickets both online and at the box office at the Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center.

Also, preview some of what you can expect from the 49th New York Film Festival with the following links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzD0U841LRM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxOhqJ98QJY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXfBcz2bLNs