This year’s Backlot Film Festival will bestow Carl Reiner, a multi-faceted artist with credits as a writer, director, actor, and producer, with the ‘Thomas Ince Award’ for his contribution to the industry. The Thomas Ince Award is named for Thomas Ince, a pioneer in early film production who greatly influenced the model of production procedures and standards used today and greatly molded the image of Hollywood movies.
Past honorees of this award include journalist and producer Daniel M. Selznick (“Gone With the Wind: The Making Of A Legend”) and writer and producer Budd Schulberg (“On The Waterfront” and “A Face In The Crowd”). The festival will also screen two of Reiner’s featueres, “The Comic” and “All of Me", as well as two of his favorite episodes from the T.V. series “The Dick Van Dyke Show".
This year, the festival will for the first time award student filmmakers with the ‘Arthur Freed Award’ for Best Student Film. Arthur Freed was a legendary songwriter and producer. His films “DuBarry Was A Lady,” “Cabin In the Sky", and “Gigi” will also be screened. The award will be presented by Stephen A. Saltzman, Arthur Freed’s grandson and president of Arthur Freed Productions.
In addition, Zev Yaroslavsky, Los Angeles County Supervisor, will receive a ‘Founder’s Award’ for his support and contributions to the arts and the film industry.
This year, the Backlot Film Festival will be held at the Veterans Memorial Building at 41227 Overland Avenue, Culver City, CA 90230.
The festival will take place April 2nd through April 5th. The 2008 schedule for feature films, tribute screenings, and the awards ceremony is now released to the public.
Ticket prices for seniors are: $50 for event passes, $3 for screenings, $15 for weekday passes, and $25 for Saturday passes.
VIP Reception tickets are $250. For more information and to purchase tickets please visit to www.backlotfilmfestival.com or call 310-398-0646.
The screening schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, April 2:
12 noon
“DuBarry Was Lady” – Arthur Freed Tribute Film
Musical comedy starring Red Skelton, Lucille Ball and Gene Kelly
2:00pm
“Chekhov and Maria” – World Premiere
The drama focuses on the Russian playwright and his sister, who are at odds over his secret marriage, as he struggles to complete his masterpiece, “The Cherry Orchard.” Based on the critically acclaimed play. Starring Ron Battitta and Gillian Brashear. Produced by John Stark, directed by Eric Till, written by Jovanka Bach
4:00pm
“Roses of April” – World Premiere
The Native American drama explores the intense bonds of a family’s relationship, slowly being undermined by the government, when a young girl decides to become an astronaut. Starring Carolina Hoyos, John DiVito, Norman Hall and Anita Poirer. Produced, written and directed by Claudia Damasceno
7:00pm
“Yesterday Was Lie” – West Coast Premiere
Secrets of the universe are revealed as a woman searches for the truth that lies within the human heart in this sci-fi film noir. Starring Kipleigh Brown, Chase Masterson, John Newton and Mik Scriba. Produced by Chase Masterson, written and directed by James Kerwin
9:00pm
“InAlienable” – World Premiere
Guilt ridden over the death of his family, a man discovers his body is host to a parasite from another world that the government believes is a threat to mankind. Starring Richard Hatch, Courtney Peldon and Walter Koenig. Directed by Robert Dyke, written by Walter Koenig
Thursday, April 3:
12 noon
“12” (Act or Die)
Two illegitimate off springs of Zeus must perform a play, flawless for his amusement, in order to save themselves and their home, in this comedy. Starring Alison Elliot, Tony Griffin, Alan Lulu and Brenda Varda. Written and directed by Lawrence Bridges
2:00pm
“Castaways of ATA” – United States Premiere
The Australian documentary, that has become a famous folktale, follows the lives of five men from Tonga, who re-unite forty years later to re-tell their tale of survival on a tiny Pacific island. Produced, written and directed by Steve Bowman
3:00pm
Students Short Film Competition
“A Slice of Trouble,” “Dandelion,” Express Lane,” “Rib,” The Romanovs’ Last Photograph” and “The Winer.”
4:00pm
“La Cucina”
Promises and frustrations unfold during the dinner hour as the lives of apartment neighbors intertwine in this romantic dramedy. Starring Christina Hendrix, Joaquim de Almeida and Rachel Hunter. Directed by Allison R. Hebble and Zed Starkovich. Written by A.W. Gryphon
7:00pm
“Lady Magdelene’s” – Los Angeles Premiere
The suspense comedy follows a disgraced IRS agent, managing a brothel in Nevada, who uncovers a terrorist plot to destroy Hoover Dam. Introduced and starring Nichelle Nichols, Ethan Keogh and Susan Smythe. Produced, written and directed by J. Neil Schuman. Q & A to follow the screening.
9:00pm
“Cabin In The Sky” – Arthur Freed Tribute Film
One of Hollywood’s first all-black musicals marks the directing debut of Vincente Minnelli. Starring Ethel Waters, Eddie “Rochester” Anderson, Lena Horne, Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. Introduced by Nichelle Nichols who was discovered and sang with DukeEllington, while still in her teens.
Friday, April 4:
12 noon
"Muse Of Fire”
A documentary based on the book “Operation Homecoming: Iraq, Afganistan and the Home Front in the World or U.S. Troops and Their Families,” sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, includes readings by Kevin Costner, Edward Parker Gyokeres and writer Jack Lewis Q & A with filmmaker Lawrence Bridges will follow the screening. Proceeds will benefit the Los Angeles Veterans Artistic Alliance.
2:00pm
Special Presentation:
“Debriefing”
A project produced by Los Angeles Area Veterans Artists Alliance. A Q & A with Artist Director Keith Jeffreys will follow the screening, with proceeds benefiting the Los Angeles Veterans Artistic Alliance.
3:00pm
“OJ Is Guilty – But Not of Murder” (the overlooked suspect) Los Angeles Premiere
A documentary by private investigator and author William C. Dear, that exposes new evidence on one of America’s most controversial murder trials. Executive Produced by William C. Dear, produced by John McCready. Q&A to follow the screening.
6:00pm
Carl Reiner Tribute: Two Episodes from “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” “Coast To Coast Bigmouth” and “The Life and Love of Joe Coogan.”
7:00pm
“The Comic” – Carl Reiner Tribute Film
Dick Van Dyke, Michelle Lee and Mickey Rooney star in the trials and tribulations of silent screen comic Billy Bright.
9:00pm
“All of Me” – Carl Reiner Tribute Film
Steve Martin and Lily Tomlin star in this romp, as a dying millionaire inadvertently becomes trapped in her lawyers’ body.
Saturday, April 5:
10:00am
“In Search of the Second Amendment”
The documentary explores the history of the American right to arms and how it impacts our lives in the 21st century. Produced and directed by David T. Hardy.
12 noon
“Truce Hurts,” a Tom and Jerry cartoon – Arthur Freed Tribute Film
“Gigi” (50th Anniversary Celebration. The multiple Academy Award winning Lerner and Loewe musical, set in Paris, is directed by Vincente Minnelli and stars Leslie Caron, Maurice Chevalier, Louis Jourdan and Hermione Gingold.
3:00pm
“Train Master” –World Premiere
In the family film, a retired train master must save his grandson, his former boss’ son and three other children careening on a runaway train. Starring Jonathan Hall, Michael Biesanz, Mercedes Rose, Elijah Nelson. Written and Directed by Phil Bransom.
6:00pm
VIP Reception and Gala for Carl Reiner
7:00pm
Festival Awards Ceremony and honorees:
Carl Reiner – ‘Thomas Ince Award’ for excellence in filmmaking.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky – ‘Founder’s Award’ for support of the motion picture industry.
‘Arthur Freed Award’ for Best Student Film and Backlot Awards for Best Independent Fiction Feature, Best Documentary and Best Short Film.
Shorts entered into competition and lectures will be presented in the Iksan/Yanju City Rooms. The schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, April 2nd:
2-4pm Lecture/tba
6pm-10pm Student Films/Shorts Program
“A Slice of Trouble”
A film by Denis Bosnjakovic
A local pizza delivery driver unwittingly gets himself into a jam, thanks to his slacker pal’s chicanery.
This film contains some adult content.
School: West Orange High School
“Dandelion”
An animated film by Jackie Liao
A grandfathers’ wisdom, about the evolutionary cycle of dandelion reverberates in the heart of his granddaughter, who struggles to accept his passing.
School: School of Visual Arts
“Express Lane”
Directed by Drewin B. Young
A musician and a store clerk have a misguided romance.
“Rib”
A film by Drewin Young
With a little help from fate, a chauvinistic male ego rears its ugly head, only to be slammed back to reality by a seemingly helpless female.
“The Romanovs’ Last Photograph”
A film by Catherine King
This character study of the Romanov sisters in their final hours before their execution shows the girls sharing their hopes, fears and aspirations as they live their lives in the constant dread of being caught on the wrong side of the Russian Revolution.
School: Notre Dame Academy
“The Winer”
A film by Madison Conroy
This silent short explores who’s in control…the drunk or the drink? Only the wine can tell!
School: Culver City High School
Shorts Program #1
“Tag”
Produced by Stephanie Bell. Written and Directed by Matt Duggan A simple game of tag is destroying Shane Wayne’s life. Will he escape or be the next one on the “it” list?
“Oenophelia”
A film by Kathleen Gibson
A seductive encounter between two bottles of wine… “A Real Doozy”
Office parties and alcohol never mix. Unfortunately for Chris, a young ad executive, his coworkers remember more of last night’s party much better than he does.
“Pencil Fighting”
Executive Produced by Andrew Negrin, Franco Interian and Paula Jiminez Directed by Fro Rojas Four pencil fighters reunite to bring honor to their fallen comrade.
“A Day In The Life”
Produced by Shelly Gant. Directed by Trevor Boelter What really happens to you and your friends when you don’t forward those annoying chain mail emails to ten of your best pals.
Shorts Program #3
“Medicinal”
Executive Produced and Directed by Dan Frank The educational documentary explores the truth about medicinal marijuana and how licensed clinics and the DEA have been at spending thousands of taxpayers dollars defending California’s controversial initiative.
“Waiting For Rain”
A documentary film by Edward James Anderson Lewis Lopez is a dying man with schizophrenia. His last wish is to return to his homeland, Puerto Rico, where he searches for a piece of himself that he left behind.
“Why Shakespeare?”
Produced by Jan Wieringa. Directed by Lawrence Bridges An inspirational documentary that illustrates how involvement with Shakespeare and live theater can change young peoples’ lives in a positive way.
Starring Chiwetal Ejiofor, Tom Hanks and Martin Sheen
Thrusday, April 3rd:
6pm-10pm Shorts Program #2
“Robbie’s Withdrawl”
Produced by Stephanie Bell. Written and directed by John Burish Today could be everything Robbie has been dreaming about…a baby, Marcus and a wonderful future. But Marcus causes Robbie to rethink her plans and now…anything is possible.
“See Jane Dance”
Produced and Directed by Mona Nash
A suburban housewife, trapped in the tedium of daily life, enrolls in a Brazilian dance class that restores her sense of self and changes her outlook on life.
“Sundowner”
Produced by John Frost. Written and directed by Nomi Kim A Korean immigrant, and his American friend, share their guilt, friendship and home sickness over the death of his wife.
“Manejar”
Produced by Shelly Gant and Mona Nash. Directed by Shelly Gant. Written by Shelly Gant and Stephanie Little Julia and Jeff are planning to join friends in Mexico for a birthday party, but when Jeff backs Julia decides to go by herself and a flat tire takes her life in a whole new direction.
Shorts Program #4
“Death’s A Bitch”
A film by Bjorn Jonasson
Most people don’t appreciate life until they are staring death in the face.
Contemplating suicide, a spirit appears in the form of a woman…sometimes death really can be a bitch.
“The Jester” (World Premiere)
Directed by Christopher Hartman
The truth comes out as friends unite after a near fatal car collision, leaving one of them with psychic abilities who pushes everyone’s buttons and putting everyone on edge.
This film has adult content, language and nudity.
“Locked Out”
Produced by Joe Bring. Directed and written by Derek Milton An evil spirit threatens the life of a woman. Will her boyfriend be able to save her before she succumbs to its power?
“Nighthawk”
Produced by Brad Carr and Robert Marquiss. Directed by Brad Carr In the future, the Red Army is on the far side of the moon and the Black Army is underground on the earth. A defector has fallen for a girl from the wrong side, will he succeed in taking over the throne, or will he be betrayed?
“Seeing The Enemy”
A film by Justin Serulneck
A recollection of memory torments an Iraq War veteran, who chases his past for the truth.
Shorts Program #5
“The Eye of Dan”(World Premiere)
Worlds collide when guerilla filmmaker Dan Jensen captures the on and off screen antics of the cast and crew of the longest running soap opera in the history of public access television.
“Better Never Than Late”
Written and Directed by Kenn Scott
Local thugs threaten the livelihood of a small-time pizza delivery shop and a mysterious young man must step in to meet the challenge. An action comedy with a kick and extra cheese.
“Dear Mom,”
Written and Directed by Kenn Scott
When a private detective turns to the internet, he finds a lot more than he was looking for.
“Trade” (World Premiere)
USA Running Time: 14:36 minutes
Produced by Stephanie Bell and Mona Nash. Directed by Karni Baghdikian Sometimes desperation overrides emotion and people make poor choices. Such is the case for a young bond trader who thinks he’s on the fast track to success.
Friday, April 4th:
2-4pm Lecture:
Author and film historian Marc Wanamaker discusses his new book entitled Old Hollywood.
6pm-10pm Shorts Program Replay
#1, #2, #3, #4 and #5
For additional information contact:
Marcia N. Groff 310-855-0498
Entertainment Enterprises
[email protected]
656 West Knoll Drive, #104
West Hollywood, CA 90069
