Where else better to celebrate a film festival than in the celebrity and movie mecca of Los Angeles. Thursday June 21 – Sunday, July 1 Film Independent launches its 2007 Los Angeles Film Festival (LAFF) presented by Los Angeles Times. The festival will once again be hosted in Westwood Village and will feature the best of American and international cinema with more than 230 feature films, shorts and music videos chosen from over 4,500 submissions from filmmakers all over the world which will include independent films as well as big studio releases, tribute screenings and outdoor movies. Coffee Talks, Poolside Chats, celebrity-filled red carpets and many other star-studded events will also be among the festivities.
“This year’s festival once again showcases the unique vision and independent spirit we strive to support and promote at Film Independent,” said Dawn Hudson, Executive Director of Film Independent. “We are proud to offer hundreds of filmmakers a platform for their work and celebrate their original voices and inspired storytelling.”
Film Independent also produces the Spirit Awards and Clint Eastwood will be this year’s recipient of the 2007 Spirit of Independence Award which will be presented to him on June 28th at a special event sponsored by Target at which Tony Bennet, who is the subject of a new documentary which Eastwood serves as executive producer of, will present the Academy-Award winning actor and filmmaker with the award.
Film Independent is a non-profit membership organization that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision. With over 250 annual screening and events, Film Independent provides access to a network of like-minded artists who are driving creativity into the film industry and also hosts a mentorship and job placement program called Project: Involve.
The Festival recently announced its full program line-up with Kasi Lemmon’s Talk to Me (Focus Features) set to kick off the festival on June 21st at 7:30 pm at the Mann Village Theatre in an inspiring film portraying the real-life story of Ralph Waldo “Petey” Greene starring Don Cheadle, Martin Sheen, Cedric the Entertainer and more. And Danny Boyle’s ‘Sunshine’ (Fox Searchlight Pictures) will fulfill the role of Closing Night Film on Sunday July 1st at 7:00pm at the Wadsworth Theatre in a futuristic sci-fi film starring Rose Byrne, Cliff Curtis, Chris Evans and many others.
LAFF venues are sprinkled throughout Westwood and all within walking distance from one another, they include the Billy Wilder Theater at the Hammer Museum, the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse, Mann Festival Theatre, Mann Village Theatre, Mann Bruin Theatre, Landmark’s Regent Theatre, Italian Cultural Institute, the Majestic Crest Theatre, the Wadsworth Theatre and the Festival Promenade. With additional off-site screenings taking place at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, Grand Performances at California Plaza, and the Landmark at its new location at the Westside Pavilion.
Festival-goers can purchase tickets and passes to Festival screenings at the Los Angeles Times Ticket and Pass Pavilion located at 1031 Broxton Avenue. Presale passes go on sale May 9, festival passes start May 17 and individual tickets are available starting June 8.
Call 866.FILM.FEST ( 866.345.6337 ) or visit www.lafilmfest.com for more information.
Films to be featured at LAFF:
Narrative Competition:
August Evening, Chris Eska – WORLD PREMIERE
The Beautiful Ordinary, Jess Manafort – WORLD PREMIERE
How to Rob a Bank, Andrews Jenkins – WORLD PREMIERE
Kabluey, Scott Prendergast – WORLD PREMIERE
Liberty Kid, Ilya Chaiken – WORLD PREMIERE
Owl and the Sparrow, Stephane Gauger
Severed Ways: The Norse Discovery of America, Tony Stone – WORLD PREMIERE
What We Do Is Secret, Rodger Grossman – WORLD PREMIERE
Documentary Competition:
Billy the Kid, Jennifer Venditti
Cat Dancers, Harris Fishman
Constantine’s Sword, Oren Jacoby – WORLD PREMIERE
The Cool School, Morgan Neville – WORLD PREMIERE
Join Us, Ondi Timoner – WORLD PREMIERE
JUMP!, Helen Hood Scheer – WORLD PREMIERE
Prison Town, USA, Katie Galloway, Po Kutchins
Resolved, Greg Whiteley – WORLD PREMIERE
Saint Death, Eva Aridjis – WORLD PREMIERE
Second Chance Season, Daniel H. Forer – WORLD PREMIERE
The Town That Was, Chris Perkel, Georgie Roland
International Showcase:
Ad Lib Night, Lee Yoon-ki – South Korea
Bajo Juarez, the city devouring its daughters, Alejandra Sánchez, José Antonio Cordero – Mexico
Blame It on Fidel, Julie Gavras – France
Build a Ship, Sail to Sadness, Laurin Federlein – England – NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
The Champagne Spy, Nadav Schirman – Israel/Germany
Copacabana, Martín Rejtman – Argentina – US PREMIERE
The Elephant and the Sea, Woo Ming Jin – Malaysia
Fireworks Wednesday, Asghar Farhadi – Iran (Facets Multimedia)
Honor of the Knights, Albert Serra – Spain
It’s Winter, Rafi Pitts – Iran
Lady Chatterley, Pascale Ferran – Belgium/France (Kino International)
Love for Sale, Karim Aïnouz – Brazil/Germany/France/Portugal (Strand Releasing)
My Best Friend, Patrice Leconte – France (IFC Films)
Namibia: The Struggle for Liberation, Charles Burnett – Namibia
On the Rumba River, Jacques Sarasin – France/Congo (First Run Features) – NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
Pool of Princesses, Bettina Blümner – Germany – NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
Razzle Dazzle, Darren Ashton – Australia
Salty Air, Alessandro Angelini – Italy
Times and Winds, Reha Erdem – Turkey
The Year After, Isabelle Czajka – France
Young @ Heart, Stephen Walker – England – NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
Spotlight on Romanian Cinema:
4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, Cristian Mungiu – Romania/Holland
Marilena from P7, Cristian Nemescu – Romania
The Paper Will Be Blue, Radu Muntean – Romania
Summer Previews:
Charlie Bartlett, Jon Poll (MGM)
Chasing Ghosts, Lincoln Ruchti
Does Your Soul Have a Cold?, Mike Mills (IFC TV)
Exiled, Johnnie To – China (Magnolia Pictures)
Great World of Sound, Craig Zobel (Magnolia Pictures)
The Hottest State, Ethan Hawke (ThinkFilm)
How to Cook Your Life, Doris Dörrie – Germany (Roadside Attractions)
Interview, Steve Buscemi (Sony Pictures Classics)
The Last Winter, Larry Fessenden (IFC Films)
Molière, Laurent Tirard – France (Sony Pictures Classics)
Rocket Science, Jeffrey Blitz (Picturehouse)
Two Days in Paris, Julie Delpy (Samuel Goldwyn Films)
War/Dance, Sean Fine, Andrea Nix Fine (ThinkFilm)
Dark Wave :
Dead Daughters, Pavel Ruminov – Russia
Trigger Man, Ti West
Wizard of Gore, Jeremy Kasten – WORLD PREMIERE
Guilty Pleasures:
Dynamite Warrior, Chalerm Wongpim – Thailand (Magnolia Pictures) – US PREMIERE
Flight of the Living Dead, Scott Thomas – NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
Festival Live:
Jeff Garlin’s Combo Platter (stand-up comedy)
Axis of Evil, with Ahmed Ahmed, Maz Jobrani, Aron Kader (stand-up comedy)
Special Event Screenings at the Ford Amphitheatre:
Arctic Tale, Adam Ravetch, Sarah Robertson (Paramount Vantage)
Dark Side of the Zeppelin: The Laserium Extravaganza!
Hot Rod, Akiva Schaffer (Paramount Pictures)
The Iron Fist (1927), Gabriel García Moreno – Mexico – Live musical score by the Nortec Collective
Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten, Julien Temple – England/Ireland (IFC First Take)
U.F.O.s at the Zoo: The Legendary Concert in Oklahoma City, Brad Beesley, Wayne Coyne, George Salisbury
Family-Friendly Screenings:
Komaneko: The Curious Cat, Tsuneo Goda – Japan – NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
Old Yeller (1957), Robert Stevenson – 50th Anniversary Screening
Tribute Screenings:
A Christmas Story (1983), Bob Clark (Bob Clark, 1939-2007) – Free Screening – Festival Promenade on Broxton Avenue
The Elephant Man (1980), David Lynch (Freddie Francis, 1917-2007)
Love Story, Chris Hall, Mike Kerry (Arthur Lee, 1945-2006) – England – NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
The Man Who Shot Chinatown: The Life and Work of John A. Alonzo, Axel Schill (John A. Alonzo, 1934-2001) – Germany/USA/England
Movies And More – Films With Extended Conversations:
Harry and Tonto (1974), Paul Mazursky – Paul Mazursky in conversation with Jeff Garlin
The Man (1972), Joseph Sargent – Joseph Sargent in conversation with Elvis Mitchell
Straight Time (1978), Ulu Grosbard – Conversation with Ulu Grosbard and select cast & crew
Special Screenings and Series:
20 Million Miles to Earth (1957), Nathan Juran – 50th Anniversary Screening
The Buffy the Vampire Slayer Sing-A-Long
L.A. Destroys Itself
Presented in association with the UCLA Film and Television Archive.
Earthquake (1974), Mark Robson
Escape From L.A. (1996), John Carpenter
Miracle Mile (1988), Steve De Jarnatt
Night of the Comet (1984), Thom Eberhardt – Free Screening – Festival Promenade on Broxton Avenue
Them! (1954), Gordon M. Douglas
L.A. Film Critics: The Films That Got Away
Co-presented by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and the UCLA Film and Television Archive.
The Death of Klinghoffer (2003), Penny Woolcock – England
Triple Agent (2004), Eric Rohmer – France/Spain/Italy/Greece/Russia
L.A. International
Presented in association with the UCLA Film and Television Archive.
The Message, Moustapha Akkad – Pakistan/Kuwait/Morocco/Libya/England/Lebanon
Mozart’s Visionary Cinema: New Crowned Hope
Presented in association with the UCLA Film and Television Archive.
Dry Season, Mahamat-Saleh Haroun – France/Belgium/Chad/Austria
Half Moon, Bahman Ghobadi – Iran/Austria/France/Iraq (Strand Releasing)
I Don’t Want to Sleep Alone, Tsai Ming-liang – Taiwan/France/Austria (Strand Releasing)
Opera Jawa, Garin Nugroho – Indonesia/Austria
Paraguayan Hammock, Paz Encina – Paraguay/France/Argentina/Netherlands/
Austria/Spain/Germany
Syndromes and a Century, Apichatpong Weerasethakul – Thailand/Austria/France (Strand Releasing)
Secret Screenings:
The most anticipated Fall films will be pre-screened to a select audience of Festival passholders.
Free Screenings:
Chicago 10, Brett Morgen – Co-presented in association with Grand Performances
I Have Never Forgotten You: The Life and Legacy of Simon Wiesenthal, Richard Trank – USA/England/Poland/Austria/Germany/Italy/Ukraine/Israel
Made in L.A., Almudena Carracedo
Miss Navajo, Billy Luther
The Princess Bride (1987), Rob Reiner – 20th Anniversary Screening – Festival Promenade on Broxton Avenue
Shall We Dance (1937), Mark Sandrich – 70th Anniversary Screening – Festival Promenade on Broxton Avenue
Artist In Residence Selections: This year’s Artist In Residence (to be announced late May) will program a sidebar of films which have inspired his or her work.
Guest Director Selections: This year’s Guest Director (to be announced late May) will program a sidebar of films which have inspired his or her work.
Behind the Curtain at ILM:
A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001), Steven Spielberg – Conversation with Dennis Muren
Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988), Robert Zemeckis – Conversation with Scott Farrar
Short Films: Shorts are shown before features and as part of five short film programs. With their diverse and complex content, these films shine brilliantly. All short films, domestic and international, will compete for prizes in Narrative, Documentary, and Animation categories. The prizes are determined by a panel of prestigious jurors. An Audience Award for Best Short Film is also presented.
Future Filmmakers Showcase: High School Shorts: These two programs of shorts made by high school students from around the country feature work by the next generation of filmmakers.
Music Videos: The Music Video Showcase consists of three programs. Our two Eclectic Mix programs are a visual mix tape of this year’s best independent music videos, with a few innovative major label artists thrown in for good measure. For the first time at the Festival, music videos will compete for an Audience Award. In addition, the Festival is showcasing the music videos of Patrick Daughters, who has worked with Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Shins, Bright Eyes, and Death Cab for Cutie.
Eclectic Mix 1 and 2
Turn Into: The Music Videos of Patrick Daughters
Other LAFF Special Events:
Film Independent’s Diversity EXPO and Porch Party: Film Independent’s Project:Involve presents its annual Diversity EXPO at the Los Angeles Film Festival. This year, the Diversity Exp joins hands with the annual Porch Party honoring the Festival’s Participating Organizations. This means more people, more resources, more fun! The Diversity EXPO is a prime networking event at which filmmakers have access to over 40 film companies and media organizations. New, emerging, and established filmmakers interested in expanding their industry and community contacts are encouraged to attend. The event offers a cool vibe and relaxed atmosphere with complimentary food and beverage, and a jamming DJ. The event is free, but tickets are required.
Director Lunch Talks: Los Angeles Times entertainment writer John Horn hosts conversations with some of the Festival’s leading independent filmmakers. Bring your lunch and join us for informal chats with filmmakers.
Festival Conversations: These intimate conversations feature prominent industry figures on a variety of subjects. This year’s speakers include Buck Henry, Robert Benton, and this year’s Artist in Residence, among others.
Tech Talks: A chance for festival-goers to learn the ins and outs of cameras – photo and video – and talk about the technical side of filmmaking and photography. All talks held at Bel Air Camera, 10925 Kinross Avenue in Westwood Village.
Poolside Chats at the W Hotel – Westwood: As the sun sets, dip your toes in the pool, sip on a cocktail, and listen to your favorite filmmakers, experts and celebrities shoot the breeze about all things cinema at our Poolside Chats. This year’s Chats include Filmmakers with a Cause, Actors Who Call “Cut!” Hollywood At Its Finest, and Legends of the Silver Screen.
Coffee Talks: The Festival will have its popular Coffee Talk series again this year on Sunday, June 24, at the Landmark West Los Angeles. Grab a coffee and listen to great conversation between some of today’s most prominent film figures as they discuss their craft with their peers in an intimate, informal setting. This year, Coffee Talks will feature directors, actors, composers, and screenwriters.
Financing Conference: The Financing Conference, on Saturday, June 23 at the Landmark, is a day full of workshops and panels for both the novice and the seasoned producer. From a primer on film financing to detailed discussions on current trends in the domestic and foreign markets, this conference will provide first-hand information and advice from the experts. Panelists include producer Michael London (Sideways), attorney and author of Fearless Negotiation Michael Donaldson,Ted Sarandos (Netflix), producer/director Fenton Bailey (Inside Deep Throat), and director Billy Luther (Miss Navajo).
Festival Promenade on Broxton Avenue: In the heart of Westwood Village is the Festival Promenade, sponsored by Clear Channel. The Promenade is home to the Los Angeles Times Ticketing Pavilion, the Festival’s Information Kiosk, and a custom-designed, open-air lounge area with sofas, tables and plenty of room to rest your feet and mingle between screenings. Just about every day there will be live music at 12 noon and in the early evening as well as six, count ‘em, six free outdoor screenings that start at dusk. The screening line up includes: the beloved The Princess Bride on Friday, June 22, the Valley girls vs. zombies Night of the Comet on Saturday, June 23, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in Shall We Dance on Friday, June 29, and a Christmas-in-June screening of A Christmas Story on Saturday, June 30 as part of our fourth annual Family Day celebration. The concerts, screenings, and Family Day events and activities are free and open to the public.
Kodak Speed Dating: This program directly connects Festival filmmakers with industry heavyweights from all walks of the entertainment community. The mission is to create a casua atmosphere of accessibility through informative and intimate one-on-one meetings. Kodak Speed Dating is open to all filmmakers accepted into this year’s Festival with Short, Narrative, Documentary, and International films, as well as Film Independent Fellows in this year’s Fast Track program. This event is not open to the public.
Kodak Focus: Master cinematographer Janusz Kaminski’s work can be viewed in a slew of films that can only be called modern classics — Saving Private Ryan, Schindler’s List, War of the Worlds, and Munich, among them. The two-time Academy Award® winner selects scenes from his work to screen and discuss with an audience of festival-goers.
