The Houston Cinema Arts Festival began unveiling its lineup today, with an eye toward Asian cinema.

The main live cinema event is the American premiere of "Super Everything," a kaleidoscopic view of the cultural landscape of Malaysia. It includes multiple projections of documentary footage, motion graphics and an electronic music score. The event takes place at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9 and 10 at the Asia Society Texas Center.

Also on deck is the Texas premiere of director Ann
Huiʼs "A Simple Life," whih swept the 31st annual Hong Kong
Film Awards. It was inspired by the true story of producer-screenwriter Roger Lee and the "amah" (maid) who raised him.

British film "Kanzeon" is an exploration of sound and the
role it plays in Japanese Buddhism and Shintoism. It focuses on a young Buddhist priest who is also a hip-hop DJ; a woman who has spent her life mastering the sho, an ancient Chinese bamboo wind instrument; and a kotsuzumi drummer who loves jazz. Director Neil Cantwell will conduct a question-and-answer session and DJ.

Also having its Texas premiere is "A Suitcase Full of Chocolate - The Life of Pianist Sofia Cosma." Director Lincoln Mayorga's documentary recounts the life of Russian-Jewish pianist
Sofia Cosma (1914-2011), his friend for more than 30 years. Mayorga will perform several works during a piano recital. "A Suitcase Full of Chocolate" screens Nov. 8 at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Brown.(Time to be announced.)

The fourth annual Cinema Arts Fest runs Nov. 7-11, with specific venues, times, more screenings and celebrity guests to be announced. Past stars in attendance have included Isabella Rossilini, Shirley MacLaine, Tilda Swinton, John Turturro, Ethan Hawke and Richard Linklater.

This year promises to be a "walkable, downtown-centric film festival," highlighting downtown venues and the Museum District.

The complete program will be unveiled Oct. 23 at the Hotel Icon, 220 Main. Passes for single and multiple days are available at cinemartsociety.org. Individual screening tickets go on sale Oct. 24.