Dances with Films 2012 in HollywoodDances with Films trots into its 15th Year in Hollywood

by Ron Gilbert

The Dances with Films FIlm Festival has planted its’ footing along the stars on Hollywood Boulevard at the Mann Chinese theatre. Festival directors Leslee Scallon and Michael Trent have moved this festival into the ranks of a festival to be reckoned with. As the saying goes the “Truth is in the Pudding” and after attending this festival now in its’ second day ,the theatre is packed to capacity which always make me happy and it goes without saying that the filmmakers are also very pleased. I had not been to this festival in years and remember when it started out at the Laemmle theatres in Santa Monica and then moved to the Sunset 5 (which is now closed )in West Hollywood.
This festival is a true Indie Film Festival with the motto “DARE,DREAM,DO” which you can see on the happy faces of the casts and filmmakers walking the red carpet who want to share with us the excitement that fills everyone’s Hollywood Dream.
The opening night film, ”Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life” directed by 3 time alum Tamar Halpern with Oscar winner Mira Sorvino and Emmy award winner Joe Pantoliano was the best choice for a kickoff. That film was followed by “Attack of the Bat Monsters” which had been shown in the 3rd year of the festival and has found distribution, which confirms the saying ”A winner never quits and a quitter never wins”.
On the second day of the festival, I was very fortunate to see “Downbeat :A Collection of Music and Dance “ which featured music videos and dance films and short documentaries and that series took me on both an inspirational and emotional journey which was always filled with laughter. I commented to the filmmakers and the festival directors that that was one of the best collection of shorts that I had ever seen and I have been to Sundance and all the other major festivals to be able to make that statement.
Following that was the feature “Dead Dad” which had a comic ring to it even though the title clearly is was the film is about.The film was shot on weekends and the cast of actors were truly convincing.
I am now looking forward to the 3rd day of the festival which opens with the film ,“Crocodile in the Yangtze” and that will be followed by the short film group competitions and the features “The Exquisite Corpse Project” ,”Liars,Fires and Bear”,”3 Days of Normal ” and end with the film “Disorientation”which I am feeling at the moment.
Dances with Films runs from May 31-June 7 at the Chinese theatre in Hollywood so jog over and have some fun experiences
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