The Los Angeles Film Festival Begins June 16, Virgin America Named Principal Sponsor

With its premiere film on Thurs., June 16, the Los Angeles Film Festival is getting ready to hit the downtown area of the city with its 2011 sponsors, including Virgin America, Dove® Hair Care, Volkswagen, Jameson Irish Whiskey® and Deluxe Entertainment Services Group/EFILM. Returning sponsors from previous years are: Kodak, Stella Artois, Melrose Mac and Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14.

On June 16, the Festival will open with “Bernie,” the new movie starring Jack Black, Shirley MacClaine and Matthew McConaughey. Directed by Richard Linklater, “Bernie” revolves around the true story of assistant funeral home director Bernie Tiede, a very likable man who befriends an elderly lady. No one has a bad word tpo say about him, even when he commits a terrible crime.

June 16 also has a screening of “Green Lantern” starring Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively available. The film will be in nationwide release the next day, June 17, so the screening gives LAFF-goers a chance for a sneak peek. This special Gala screening will be hosted by Premier Sponsor Pechanga Resort & Casino with a unique exciting casino experience in the VIP hospitality area, with table games and opportunities to win resort getaways and free slot play at the largest casino in the Western USA. The Pechanga Resort & Casino is a Four-Diamond resort, located in the Southern California Wine Country of the Temecula Valley, and it offers: 517 newly-renovated guest rooms and suites; a world-class golf course; eight critically acclaimed restaurants; five bars and nightclubs; a relaxing spa, ful fitness center and pool; and more.

The official beer of the festival has been announced as Stella Artois with Jameson Irish Whiskey® the official spirit, and World Wine HeadQuarters as the official wine purveyor. The Los Angeles Athletic Club is the Official Host Hotel and Virgin America is the Official Airline Partner. WireImage is the Official Photography Agency and PR Newswire is the Official Breaking News Service of Film Independent.

This year’s Los Angeles Film Festival is the 17th annual event and will screen more than 200 feature length movies, short films, retro screenings and music videos, including “Attack the Block,” “Another Earth,” “A Better Life,” “Boyz n the Hood,” “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark” and “Rudy.”

Another huge draw of LAFF are the special conversations and interviews with guest. This year the list has a wide variety of speakers, including Julie Taymor, Erykah Baduh, Jack Black, Shirely MacClaine, Jason Ritter, Diablo Cody and James Franco.

Taking over more than six city blocks, the LAFF is one of the region’s most active ‘live content and event campus with 15 restaurants and huge nationally recognized venues like Staples Center, Nokia Theatre L.A. Live, the Conga Room, Club Nokia, the Grammy Museum, Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge and Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14.

On June 26, the LAFF will close with the world premiere red carpet screening of “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark,” starring Katie Holmes, Guy Pearce, Bailee Madison and Jack Thompson. The much-anticipated horror film from director Troy Nixey and writer Guillermo del Toro tells the terrifying story of a young girl sent to stay with her father and stepmother who discovers there are creatures ready to take her into their own way of living. It’s a remake of the 1973 TV movie of the same name with stars Kim Darby, Jim Hutton and Barbara Anderson.

Contact the Coca-Cola 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 today, at the Coca-Cola Ticket Center located at the Festival Village on the West Garage at L.A. LIVE (1005 Chick Hearn Court).

Special support is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, UCLA Latin American Institute and the University of Guadalajara Foundation.

For more information or to become a member, visit FilmIndependent.org.

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