Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards and Los Angeles Film Festival, has announced the screenwriters and film projects selected for its 10th annual Screenwriters Lab, sponsored by the Writers Guild of America, West. Taking place in Los Angeles from August 17 until September 16, the Screenwriters Lab is an intensive five-week incubator designed to help writers improve their craft, and take their current scripts to the next level in a nurturing, yet ch...
NAKED SUSHI received a special invitation to screen at the AOF Film Festival in Pasadena, CA this week. It seems that Action on Film is one of the best kept secrets in the LA film festival circuit. It's huge! I have seen some great films so far and I am looking forward to the Black Tie Gala Thursday night at the Westin! Naked Sushi showing at the Laemmle Theatre on Colorado in Pasadena, CA. We will be in the 8:15pm block. Buy your tickets in advance! ...
..............WELCOME TO OUR NEWSLETTER N° 423: July 1, 2009
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FESTIVAL NEWS FROM THE CIRCUIT
The Berlinale Outdoors in the Summertime
The LA F...
This was my first year covering the LA Film Festival. I first remember going to some screenings in past years when it was held at the Sunset 5 in Hollywood, and later some parties and mixers in Westwood and at the W Hotel. After Cannes, June is also a busy month for film festivals around the world. This year, there was a greater focus on international film at the Festival. I spoke with new Executive Program Director Rebecca Yeldham at the award brunch, and shared how we enjoyed meeting many o...
This was my first year covering the LA Film Festival. I first remember going to some screenings in past years when it was held at the Sunset 5 in Hollywood, and later some parties and mixers in Westwood and at the W Hotel. After Cannes, June is also a busy month for film festivals around the world. This year, there was a greater focus on international film at the Festival. I spoke with new Executive Program Director Rebecca Yeldham at the award brunch, and shared how we enjoyed meeti...
An impressive group of independent filmmakers are premiering their new films at the LA Film Festival.
Films as diverse as the labor struggle of banana workers in Nicaragua to ghosts haunting a family in upstate New York to a Mexican town without water or the fate of Pluto. The festival runs through next weekend.
Chatted with Jonathan Caouette whose debut feature TARNATION won critical praise several years ago. His new film takes on the British music scene with weekend festivals at Holiday Camps including scads of well-known bands. It plays next week at the John Ford Amphitheatre.
Michael Bay's TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN which includes new state of the art special effects should capture huge B.O. and many screens this summer.Some industry insiders believe that it may break major box office records during it's 5 day opening weekend on June 24.
Stephanie Ronnet: When was the Los Angeles Film Festival created ? Can you describe that festival? Richard Raddon: The Los Angeles Film Festival began as the Los Angeles International Film Festival [LAIFF] in 1995. The LAIFF took place over the course of five days in one location at the DGA in Hollywood, California. The LAIFF ran for 7 years, until it was absorbed by Film Independent (formerly IFP/Los Angeles) in 2001. At it's height the LAIFF attracted 19,000 attendees. Today the Los Angeles Fi...
Stephanie Ronnet: When was the Los Angeles Film Festival created ? Can you describe that festival? Richard Raddon: The Los Angeles Film Festival began as the Los Angeles International Film Festival [LAIFF] in 1995. The LAIFF took place over the course of five days in one location at the DGA in Hollywood, California. The LAIFF ran for 7 years, until it was absorbed by Film Independent (formerly IFP/Los Angeles) in 2001. At it's height the LAIFF attracted 19,000 attendees. Today the Los Angeles ...
The 13th Annual Palm Beach International Film Festival (PBIFF) announced the film line-up for the 8-day event, which runs April 10-17, 2008. Executive Director Randi Emerman announced that 141 films will screen at this year’s event, including features, documentaries, shorts and student shorts from the U.S. and around the world. The 2008 Festival will introduce 12 World Premieres and 10 U.S. Premieres.This year’s festival will play host to an ample amount of international filmmakers, produc...
Withoutabox, the leading, worldwide online-media company dedicated to advancing independent film and connecting artists with audiences, has promoted Fred Kramer to president and named Trina Wyatt chief operating officer, effective immediately. The announcement was made by David Straus, co-founder and CEO of Withoutabox.In his new role, Kramer will continue to oversee the day-to-day operations of Withoutabox with an expanded role managing the company’s technology department, product sales and i...
Withoutabox, the leading, worldwide online-media company dedicated to advancing independent film and connecting artists with audiences, has promoted Fred Kramer to president and named Trina Wyatt chief operating officer, effective immediately. The announcement was made by David Straus, co-founder and CEO of Withoutabox.In his new role, Kramer will continue to oversee the day-to-day operations of Withoutabox with an expanded role managing the company’s technology department, product sales and ...
Tuesday, July 3------The LA Film Festival wrapped this past weekend with its gala awards ceremony at the Hammer Museum to announce winners of the Target Awards. The Spanish-language film AUGUST EVENING, which world premiered at the event, won the Target Award for Best Narrative Feature. The film, written and directed by Chris Eska, with a Hispanic cast that includes Pedro Castaneda, Veronica Loren, Abel Becerra, Walter Perez, Sandra Rios and Cesar Flores, is the story of an undocumented worke...
I thought this was a particularly good interview with Michael Bay and since Transformers premiered at the LA Film Festival, I wanted to include this interview in this blog. Robin Rowe, a Los Angeles screenwriter and facilitator of weekly filmmaker events, asks Bay practical questions that I think a lot of filmmakers will appreciate. Enjoy! (Contact information for Robin is at the bottom of this email.) Michael Bay Interview: Transformersby Robin Rowe [More articles] Read Robin's Sci-...
Since Transformers premiered at the LA Film Festival, I am including this review here. Personally, I love this movie. I have a short video from the Transformers premiere and block party posted on this site. Check it out if you haven't seen it!Transformers Review* * * * (Guest review by Robin Rowe, Movie Editor)STARRING: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Jon Voight, Bernie Mac, Tyrese Gibson, Rachael Taylor, Amaury Nolasco, Kevin Dunn, Ronnie Sperling2007, 144 Minutes, Directed by:...
Wow...what an amazing festival. I'm a little bummed it's over but then my overflowing laundry basket reminds me that it's time to resume normal life. :-) I had a great time and I just can't stop talking about the LA Film Festival staff and volunteers. They are the greatest group of people ever. It would be an honor for me to screen my film at this festival. As a matter of fact, that's all I could think about the entire week! And every filmmaker I met told me that this ...
Jennifer Venditti is a new film director to keep your eye on. Her first film out of the gate is the charming documentary, BILLY THE KID, which is currently screening at the LA Film Festival and also screened at HotDocs and won the audience award at South by Southwest. She speaks on camera with Lisa Murray about her first film.USA, 2007, 85 minDirected By: Jennifer VendittiProducers: Jennifer Venditti, Chiemi KarasawaExecutive Producers: Bob Alexander, Barnet Liberman, Lubov AzriaCinematographers...
WOW! The Transformers preimere and block party last night at the LA Film Festival was OFF THE HOOK! What an event. The movie premiered in 5 theatres. It was a little chaotic down there but with a "life-sized" Bubblebee guarding the "red" (it was blue) carpet, it was allll good! This was my second time seeing this movie and I have to tell you, I loved it the second time just as much as I loved it the first time! The crowd reaction is priceless. People cheer and c...
Experience the Los Angeles Film Festival through the eyes of Lisa Murray as she captures the entire experience on her blog and for FilmFestivals.com. The festival launched Thursday, June 21, and will conclude with a Closing Night Gala on Sunday, July 1. Murray will be attending the galas and events and will upload pictures and video as well as interviews with filmmakers and festival-goers."I am doing this blog for the girl or guy in a small town who may not have the resources to attend a festiva...
If last night is any indication of what is to come for me over the next 10 days, I am VERY excited! This is my first time at the LA Film Festival and I have to say, this festival is top notch! I came straight from work (in Hollywood) to the first night of the festival. There were very clear signs for parking and friendly staff guiding the cars. (They had me at "clear signs&...
LA FILM FESTIVAL OPENING FILM & GALA!!!
If the first night is any indication of what is to come over the next 10 days, I am VERY excited! I had a blast! The screening was the premiere of the film "Talk To Me" which stars Don Cheadle, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Taraji Henson, Vondie Curtis Hall, Cedric the Entertainer and Martin Sheen. (Directed by Kasi Lemmons.) It was so packed at the Mann Village Theatre t
The summer in the City of Los Angeles has the crowds heated up at Outfest 2004. With a large number of Award Winning shorts on the program the audience has been receptive and coming-out so to say at one of the largest Lesbian and Gay festivals in the country. Now in its 22nd year, Outfest has grown to major proportions as also one of the big film festivals in Southern California along with AFI and LA Film Festival.The Shorts Program has had many of the top films around the world screening i...
