HDFEST Screenings and Panel Discussions

HDFEST Festival screenings include projects created exclusively with HD technology. Presentations include HD documentaries, HD experimental films, HD animations, HD music videos, HD features and shorts. Festival content in Los Angeles includes a truly international selection including films from Japan, Belgium, Germany, Canada, Spain, the UK, and the Netherlands. Many films will be making their North American Premiere or Los Angeles Premiere. Almost all the films in the HDFEST Los Angeles line-up will be making their HD Festival Premiere, meaning they have never before been presented in high-definition.

Among the numerous highlights of this year's tour is the HDFEST Breakthrough Presentation "The Mars Underground," directed by Scott J Gill. HDFEST is proud to announce the US Premiere of this landmark documentary, which was shot exclusively with HD technology and also includes stunning state-of-the-art computer generated imagery. The film centers around world-renowned Dr. Robert Zubrin, described as "a maverick aerospace-engineer and author," and his passionate pursuit for manned exploration and colonization of Mars. Zubrin believes that an expedition to Mars could be attained in the next 10 years and eventually colonization could occur via terraforming the red planet. HDFEST is pleased to be assisting to highlight this important and timely documentary.

HDFEST will also present a cutting edge series of animations created completely in HD resolution. HDFEST's groundbreaking HD animation series includes "Vaudeville" directed by Chansoo Kim, DreamWorks animated short "First Flight" directed by Kyle Jefferson and Cameron Hood, the comedic HD animation "Arrest Assured" from Studio Pendulum directors Michael McCormick and Robert Taylor, the comedic HD animation "The Toll" directed by J. Zachary Pike, "Mantis Parable" directed by Josh Staub, and "Elephant's Dream" directed by Bassam Kurdali and Blender. "First Flight" was the opening short before screenings of the DreamWorks hit comedy "Over the Hedge." This sequence of HD animation will showcase the accomplishments now possible for filmmakers and animators working with fairly low budgets. HDFEST 2006 will showcase what is the largest collection of HD animation to be screened together at any film festival to date.

Other notable festival presentations include two US premieres of cutting edge films from Europe combining sound, visual FX and animation. HDFEST will present in Dolby Digital 5.1, the North American Festival Premiere of the truly remarkable "Sound of Eternity The Mass in B-Minor by Johann Sebastian Bach" directed by Bastian ClevÈ. This feature-length HD film, shot in Germany, Morocco, India and the US, consists of 27 individual short films. "Sound of Eternity" has been called by the German press "... one of the most unusual films ever made" and an "extraordinary, exceptional cinematic experience." The North American Festival Premiere of "The Great Globe" will be screened at HDFEST Los Angeles. This film merges dance, experimental film and animation into a strikingly memorable hybrid. The film, which was created by legendary composer Robert Groslot, also has an optional track for orchestral accompaniment. About his work, Groslot stated, "my work is related to painting and photography but is in fact none of both. It is exactly what it is: a new visual medium." This movie has been screened at The National Gallery of Art, The Museum of Modern Art and The Smithsonian.One of HDFEST's key goals is to encourage independent high-definition filmmaking and enthusiasm for digital cinema.One of HDFEST's key goals is to encourage independent high-definition filmmaking and enthusiasm for digital cinema. HDFEST Los Angeles will have a variety of panel discussions focusing in on HD moviemaking. At HDFEST Los Angeles there will be a special focus on education concerning the new HDV format including the panel discussions "Achieving Great Results with HDV: A Inside Look at Mojave Phone Booth" moderated by Director/Editor John Putch, and "Surviving the Low End of HD: Issues and Solutions for HDV" moderated by Apple-Certified Trainer Larry Jordan. Many award winning high-definition filmmakers will also be in attendance at HDFEST Los Angeles to discuss their work and answer audience questions.

Lead Sponsors

HDFEST lead sponsors this year include Dolby Laboratories, Avid and Production Update Magazine. HDFEST 2006 Sponsors also include Baraka Post Production, Santa Monica Video, Entertainment Partners, Final Draft, Footage Firm, Revolution Stock Media, Mammoth HD, Forman Hi Definition Screening Room, SYPHA, and MovieMaker Magazine. "We at HDFEST are pleased to be returning for our second year at Dolby Laboratories in Burbank," festival director Issac Alexander said. "Last year the presentation quality during HDFEST Los Angeles was nothing short of spectacular. The upcoming festival is a rare opportunity for film festival attendees to witness firsthand what cinema's future holds in terms of sight and sound."

Event Location and Information

Dolby Laboratories' Larry Umlang Presentation Theatre II is located at 3601 Alameda Avenue in Burbank. Tickets for HDFEST Los Angeles are $12 for screening sequences and $15 for admission to panel discussions. Advance ticket reservation through HDFEST's website is recommended; however, tickets will also be available for sale at the door on the days of the event. For more information, visit www.hdfest.com contact admin@hdfest.com