The Smogdance Film Festival (http://www.smogdance.com/) is announcing its final selection of films for the 2010 festival, which will be held from January 22 through January 28, 2010 at the Laemmle Theatre at Claremont, California.

Smogdance will celebrate its 12th anniversary with an eclectic mix of animation, documentaries, comedies and short dramas. The 38 films selected for 2010 represent local talent, as well as filmmakers from 6 states, Spain, Canada, Mexico, Israel, and Iran.

"This is a very exciting year to be a part of our festival." says Charlotte Cousins, festival director. "We are hosting an Independent Film Week with the LA Latino International Film Festival (http://www.latinofilm.org/) . We hope that a new level of support, recognition and audience participation will emerge as we partner to bring cutting edge creative media arts to our Pomona Valley community."

Along with our other amazing filmmakers, there will be 16 student entries including 1 High School film from Oakwood, California. Both Student and Non-Student filmmakers will receive monetary prizes of $100 and $50 for Best and Honorary Mention in the categories of Comedy, Animation and Open/Experimental. Documentary offers a non-student prize only.

Audience members are encouraged to participate during the festival by voting for their favorite film each evening. The winner of each category will receive a Weldon Award. Announcements of the Weldon Award winners and the Winners of the Judged Contest will be announced nightly at the After Festival Party to be held at the Claremont Forum Gallery located at the Packing House in downtown Claremont. Refreshments will be available along with a Q & A session with the attending filmmakers.

Festival hours are from 7-10 p.m., Friday January 22nd, and Saturday January 23rd, and from 5-8 p.m. on Sunday January 24th.
The LA Latino International Film Festival will screen Monday through Thursday, January 25 through January 28. Repeat performances will be screened throughout the week.

Screening location: Claremont 5 Laemmle Theatre, 450 W 2nd Street, Claremont, CA 91711

After Festival Party location: Claremont Forum, 586 West First Street, Claremont, CA 91711

Ticket information: Tickets will be available on line at http://www.laemmle.com/ as of January 8, 2010

Smogdance Information: 909-997-0761, info@smogance.com

Claremont Forum Information: 909-626-6066

Please visit our websit for Film Listing: http://www.smogdance.com/