Today Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards, the Los Angeles Film Festival, and year-round artist development programs and exhibition events, announced additional official film selections and programming for the 2010 Los Angeles Film Festival, presented by the Los Angeles Times. The Festival will run from Thursday, June 17 to Sunday, June 27 in downtown Los Angeles, with its central hub at L.A. LIVE.
LA Weekly’s Pulitzer Prize-winning restaurant critic Jonathan Gold, legendary music artist Quincy Jones, and comedian, actor and writer Paul Reubens, will serve as this year’s Artists in Residence, with each introducing a film that has inspired their work, followed by a conversation after the screening. Paul Reubens has selected Frank Capra’s You Can’t Take It With You (1938). In addition, a 25th anniversary screening of Pee Wee’s Big Adventure will be held on June 26th at the Orpheum Theatre. Jonathan Gold has selected Katsuyuki Motohiro’s Udon (2006), and Quincy Jones has selected Steven Spielberg’s The Color Purple (1985).
“All of our incredible guest artists have evolved career paths rooted in an intense and fearless passion for their art. It’s such a gift to the Festival to have them come and share their stories, influences, and inspirations with our audiences,” said Festival Director Rebecca Yeldham.
“The Los Angeles Film Festival is continually dedicated to supporting filmmakers, so we’ve created a new signature event to help them navigate the changing marketing and distribution landscape. In collaboration with filmmaker Jon Reiss, we’ve developed a two-day boot-camp for our Festival filmmakers, as well as a public event, so artists can take charge and better understand how to harness new distribution options and their social networking community,” said Film Independent’s Director of Education Maria Bozzi.
Passes to attend the Festival are currently available for Film Independent members and the general public. In addition to screenings and events, Festival passes provide access to a series of networking receptions and entry to the ZonePerfect live.create. lounge, where Festival pass holders can interact with Festival filmmakers and professionals in the film community. General admission tickets to individual films go on sale beginning June 1. Contact the Festival Ticketing Center for passes, tickets and event information by calling 866.FILM.FEST (866.345-6337) or visit LAFilmFest.com. Festival Passes and tickets can also be purchased in person beginning on Monday, June 14 at the Festival Ticketing Center located at L.A. LIVE (800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90015).
ADDITIONAL FILMS & PROGRAMMING
Artists in Residence Screenings (3):
· “The Color Purple” (1985), Steven Spielberg
· “Udon” (2006), Motohiro Katsuyuki – Japan
· “You Can’t Take It With You” (1938), Frank Capra
Retro (2):
· “Desperately Seeking Susan” (1985), Susan Seidelman – 25th Anniversary – Free Outdoor Screening at 7+Fig Plaza at Ernst & Young Plaza
· “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure” (1985), Tim Burton – 25th Anniversary Family Screening
Summer Showcase (2)
· “Freakonomics,” Heidi Ewing, Alex Gibney, Seth Gordon, Rachel Grady, Eugene Jarecki, Morgan Spurlock (Magnolia Pictures)
· “The Two Escobars,” Jeff Zimbalist, Michael Zimbalist (ESPN Films) – Colombia/USA
Festival Conversations (4):
· A Conversation with Ben Affleck – In the upcoming Boston crime drama The Town, Ben Affleck does triple duty: he co-wrote it, starred in it, and directed it. How do you wear three hats on set, and how do you make the transition from in front of the camera to behind it? Join Affleck in a freewheeling conversation with Jeremy Renner, his co-star in The Town, about the challenges, triumphs, and sometimes curveballs, of his career.
· An Evening with Sylvester Stallone – The multi-talented actor, director, screenwriter, and visual artist will reminisce on pivotal moments of his prolific artistic career and give us a sneak peek of his anticipated film The Expendables. Moderated by film critic Elvis Mitchell (KCRW’s “The Treatment”).
· Over the Top: An Evening with John Lithgow – John Lithgow’s riotous performance as the mad Italian scientist Dr. Emilio Lizardo in W.D. Richter’s wild 1984 sci-fi send up The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai puts the lie to the old truism that in screen acting, less is more. In George Miller’s unforgettable episode “Terror at 20,000 Feet” from the 1983 Twilight Zone: The Movie, Lithgow lets out all the stops playing a terrified flyer convinced there’s a monster on the wing of the airplane. After the screening of each movie, the star will be on hand to explain the art of Acting Big. Moderated by Los Angeles Film Festival Artistic Director David Ansen.
· The School of Corman – Hollywood legend Roger Corman was responsible for making some classic genre movies and also gave many of today’s great directors their first gig. In addition to his hundreds of credits as a writer, director, producer, and actor, his career includes a stint as a successful distributor of independent and foreign films. We will reunite him with some of his early protégés to celebrate his legacy and influence on modern American cinema. Moderated by director Curtis Hanson (L.A. Confidential).
Seize the Power: A Marketing and (DIY)stribution Symposium: Seize the power. Engage your audience. Learn how to monetize your art. The bottom line is, that in order to sustain your career as an artist, you need to be able to make a living out of your work. The Los Angeles Film Festival’s new signature event is produced in collaboration with filmmaker and author Jon Reiss (Think Outside the Box Office, Bomb It). You will hear from key players in the new marketing and distribution landscape, including: Scilla Andreen (Indieflix), Caitlin Boyle (Film Sprout), Ted Hope (This Is That Corporation), Peter Broderick (Paradigm Consulting), John Chang (Neoflix), Zak Forsman (Sabi Pictures), Nolan Gallagher (Gravitas Ventures), David Geertz (Biracy), Mynette Louie (Producer, Children of Invention), Bob Moczydlowsky (Topspin), Colleen Nystedt (MovieSet), Orly Ravid (The Film Collaborative), Lance Weiler (The Workbook Project), and many more. They’ll tackle various topics such as: mastering the social media universe and connecting with your audience; enriching your stories and expanding creative options via transmedia content; creating your brand as an artist; crowd sourcing and crowd funding; and utilizing different platforms to effectively market and distribute your films.
Poolside Chats (3): The Poolside Chats at the JW Marriot Pool at L.A. LIVE bring together some of Los Angeles’ most interesting people to discuss their passion for cinema, the city, and everything in between. Join us at our spectacular new location overlooking the downtown skyline, grab a cocktail, and listen to some great conversation.
· Waiting for Superman: A Conversation on Education – In his documentary Waiting for Superman, director Davis Guggenheim offers a provocative and cogent examination of the crisis of public education in the United States told through multiple interlocking stories from students, families, educators and reformers. Join Davis for this town hall meeting where he discusses with education reformer Geoffrey Canada (President & CEO of Harlem Children’s Zone) and award winning musician John Legend how educators, artists, and ordinary citizens can translate their passion for social change into actual education reform.
· The Power of the Tweet – In this age of Twitter, the line between private and public life is fast dissolving, bringing filmmakers closer to their fans as they tweet from the set and the road. Many use the platform to build a fan base, market their films in non-traditional ways, promote a cause or affect social change. We bring together some of Hollywood’s Twitter-savvy personalities to discuss life in one hundred and forty characters or less. Moderated by Ari Karpel (contributing writer, Los Angeles Times, New York Times).
· Capturing L.A. – In spite of its elusive personality, L.A. has ignited imagination of many artists who have chronicled it through various genres and across different media. Join us as we explore L.A.’s persona with visual artists, writers, and filmmakers who have captured it in their work. Moderated by Laurie Ochoa (co-founder, Slake Media; former editor-in-chief, LA Weekly).
Spotlight on the Image (3):
· Confessions of a Shoot – Come and listen to filmmakers talk about how they achieved their distinctive look, as they show clips from their films, shot on a Canon camera. Sponsored by Canon.
· Technicolor: One Vision From Set to Screen – Technicolor’s head of theatrical post-production, Marco Bario, will lead a discussion with two stalwarts of the Los Angeles filmmaking community: editor Nancy Richardson, ACE (The Kids Are All Right, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse) and post-production supervisor Nancy Kirhoffer (The Prestige, Appaloosa). Sponsored by Technicolor.
· Kodak Focus: Rodrigo Prieto – With over 20 years experience, Oscar-nominated Rodrigo Prieto is one of the premiere cinematographers of our time, having worked all over the world, and collaborated with directors Spike Lee, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Oliver Stone, Julie Taymor, Pedro Almodovar, and Ang Lee. Prieto will discuss and show film clips of his unconventional and innovative techniques with Kodak’s Chris Russo. Sponsored by Kodak.
Coffee Talks: Join some of today’s most fascinating film figures for entertaining and unpredictable conversation…and, of course, coffee for everyone. The Festival’s signature Coffee Talks will include discussions with directors, actors, composers, and screenwriters, with names to be announced.
Filmmaker Lunch Talks: Los Angeles Times staff writer John Horn hosts conversations at the Zone Perfect live.create. lounge with some of the Festival’s leading directors and producers. Bring your lunch!
ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL
Now in its sixteenth year, the Los Angeles Film Festival is widely recognized as a world-class event, showcasing the best of new American and international cinema and providing the movie-loving public with access to some of the most critically acclaimed filmmakers, film industry professionals, and emerging talent from around the world.
The Festival features unique signature programs including the Filmmaker Retreat, Ford Amphitheater Outdoor Screenings, Poolside Chats, and more. Additionally, the Festival screens short films created by high school students and has a special section devoted to music videos.
Over 200 features, shorts, and music videos from more than 40 countries make up the main body of the Festival.
The Los Angeles Film Festival is presented by the Los Angeles Times and is supported by L.A. LIVE and Premier Sponsor ZonePerfect® Nutrition Bars and Principal Sponsors Kodak and Subaru. Special support is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and The Academy Foundation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The Standard, Downtown LA is the official Host Hotel, American Airlines is the Official Airline Partner, WireImage is the Official Photography Agency, and PR Newswire is the Official Breaking News Service of Film Independent.
More information can be found at LAFilmFest.com
ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT
Film Independent is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts organization that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds an audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. Film Independent’s Board of Directors, filmmakers, staff, and constituents are comprised of an inclusive community of individuals across ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race, and sexual orientation. Anyone passionate about film can become a member, whether you are a filmmaker, industry leader, or film lover.
With over 250 annual screenings and events, Film Independent provides access to a network of like-minded artists who are driving creativity in the film industry. Film Independent offers free Filmmaker Labs for selected writers, directors, and producers; provides cut-rate services for filmmakers; and presents year-round networking opportunities. Film Independent’s mentorship and job placement program, Project:Involve, pairs emerging culturally diverse filmmakers with film industry professionals.
Film Independent produces the Los Angeles Film Festival, celebrating the best of American and international cinema, and the Spirit Awards, a celebration honoring films and filmmakers that embody independence and dare to challenge the status quo.
For more information or to become a member, visit FilmIndependent.org.
ABOUT L.A. LIVE
Developed by AEG, L.A. LIVE is a 5.9 million square foot / $2.5 billion downtown Los Angeles sports, residential & entertainment district adjacent to STAPLES Center and the Los Angeles Convention Center featuring the recently opened Club Nokia, a 2,300 capacity live music venue, Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE, a 7,100-seat live theatre, a 54-story, 1001-room convention “headquarters” destination (featuring The Ritz Carlton and JW Marriott hotels and 224 luxury condominiums – The Ritz Carlton Residences at L.A. LIVE – all in a single tower) , the state-of-the-art Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14 theatres, “broadcast” facilities for ESPN, a 100,000 square foot special events deck, the one-of-a-kind GRAMMY Museum®, saluting the history of music and the genre’s best know awards show all centered around Nokia Plaza L.A. LIVE, a 40,000 square foot outdoor event space, twelve signature restaurants along with entertainment, residential and office space. Visit L.A. LIVE today at www.lalive.com.
ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES TIMES
The Los Angeles Times is the largest metropolitan daily newspaper in the country, with a daily readership of 2 million and 3 million on Sunday, and a combined print and interactive local weekly audience of 4.5 million. The fast-growing latimes.com draws over 10 million unique visitors monthly. The Los Angeles Times Media Group businesses and affiliates also include The Envelope, Times Community Newspapers, LA, Los Angeles Times Magazine, Brand X, Hoy, and California Community News and – combined with the flagship Los Angeles Times – reach approximately 5.9 million or 44% of all adults in the Southern California marketplace. The Pulitzer Prize-winning Times has been covering Southern California for over 128 years and is part of Tribune Company, one of the country’s leading media companies with businesses in publishing, the Internet and broadcasting. Additional information is available at http://latimes.com/aboutus.
