May 28, 1013

The 1st Annual Cinema at the Edge Independent Film Festival is proud to announce our Opening and Closing Night Films. Hosted by the Edgemar Cinema for the Arts, the 1st Annual Cinema at the Edge Independent Film Festival will take place from May 30th – June 2nd and will screen independent films of all genres that feature a distinct vision and a unique voice.

Opening Night will be feature film KNUCKLE JACK, written, directed and starring John Adams & Toby Poser,  about a small town foul-mouthed drunk named Jack  with an artistic gift for thievery.  Haunted by a youthful tragedy, he passes through his days in a lonely haze, robbing wealthy weekenders' homes only to score more drugs, booze and bitterness. When Jack is asked to care for his 8 year old niece, Frankie, for one thick hot Catskill summer, his crooked patterns are challenged. But Frankie is navigating her own troubles and just may be the accomplice--and catalyst--Jack is waiting for.

Closing night will be filmmaker Rotimi Rainwater’s feature film  SUGAR, starring Shenae Grimes ("90210"), Wes Studi ("Avatar") and Angus Macfadyen ("Braveheart"), about a 20-year-old homeless girl suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome on the streets of Hollywood and Venice Beach. SUGAR has been chosen to receive the  inaugural 'Community Visions Award', for it's balanced and empathetic treatment of an issue that is  close to the hearts of the residents of Santa Monica and Venice.

Artistic Director and Festival Founder Michelle Danner, states, “We’re delighted to give independent filmmakers an opportunity to screen their films in a community setting on the Westside. Surrounded by beautiful beaches, bustling restaurants, bars, retail shops and constant foot traffic, what the Westside has to offer filmmakers and cinephiles will be quite different from what you’ll find in Hollywood. Winners of the jury and audience awards in each category will be considered for acquisition by industry professionals working in international film distribution.”

The Edgemar Center will present four days of screenings, parties and artist programs that celebrate independent filmmaking.  Films competing in narrative feature, documentary and short film categories will be eligible for Jury and Audience awards in which winners will have the opportunity to screen their film for industry professionals working in international film production and distribution.

 “We’re thrilled to showcase independent films in a festival and community with such a great appreciation for art and cinema. Many films that screen at the larger film festivals don’t immediately catch fire and tend to fall through the cracks. We want to give these exceptional films another chance to connect with audiences and to gain exposure and additional opportunities for global distribution,”  Co-Festival Director Jason Chase Tyrrell states.

For a complete schedule of festival screenings and events, and to purchase tickets, go to
http://cinemaattheedge.com/?page_id=149

At Edgemar Center for the Arts, 2437 Main St., Santa Monica, CA 90405. Phone: (310) 392-7327. Parking lot and underground parking available ($5).  May 30- June 2. Four days of narrative feature films, documentaries, shorts, panel, parties, and award screenings. Opening and closing night films and awards screenings $15.  Other individual feature films or shorts programs, $10. V.I.P. tickets (includes reception/party in addition to screening), $25- $40.  Panels $5. Festival passes: Standard Festival Badge (all screenings and panels), $125. V.I.P.  Festival Badge (includes all screenings, panels, receptions and parties), $200.

About the Edgemar Center for the Arts
Edgemar Center for the Arts (ECA) is a 501(c)(3) arts organization with a three-pronged mission: to provide an environment that nurtures the creative process and encourages collaboration between writers, directors, actors, musicians, dancers and visual artists; to create a learning environment for children and adults; and to invite the community to observe, engage, and interact, to add its voice to our creative discovery.
 
With two theaters, an art gallery, rehearsal, classroom and office space, the ECA anchors the Frank Gehry designed Edgemar complex on Main Street in Santa Monica, California. The interior courtyard is a hub of activity and a place of convergence for artists, businesses, residents and visitors to this popular beachside destination.
 
The center houses the popular Michelle Danner Acting School, and regularly hosts popular, diverse and award-winning theatre, music, dance, film and visual art performances.  Some standout productions performed at ECA include “The Night of the Black Cat”, winner of the 2005 Best Musical of the Year at the LA Music Awards, “Jane Fonda in the Court of Public Opinion” starring Anne Archer and the currently running “The Rainmaker”, an LA Times Critics' Choice.
 
Additionally, ECA serves all facets of the Westside community and beyond by offering public arts programs. These programs include ticketed performances and educational outreach courses for children and senior citizens.
 
Michelle Danner Founder & Artistic Director
Michelle Danner is the founder and artistic director of The Edgemar Center for the Arts and The Edgemar Theatre Group. She is a renowned actor, director and award-winning acting coach. Michelle directed and produced the film “Hello Herman” starring Norman Reedus (AMC’s “The Walking Dead”) through her production company All In Films. As an acting coach, Michelle has worked with A List talent privately and on set, including Gerard Butler, Chris Rock, Seth MacFarlane, Jamie Lynn Sigler, Penelope Cruz, Michael Pena, Isla Fisher, Common, Salma Hayek, James Franco, and Zooey Deschanel. She has directed and acted in over thirty award-winning plays and musicals in New York and Los Angeles. Her directorial debut in film was 2006’s “How to Go Out on a Date in Queens” with Jason Alexander, Esai Morales and Ron Perlman. It was released nationwide and aired as an ABC Sunday Night Movie of the Week.
 
Alexandra Guarnieri Co-Festival Director
Alexandra Guarnieri is the co-founder and managing director of Edgemar Center for the Arts. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Columbia University with a degree in Political Science. She spent several years working in television, at CNN and MSNBC. Alexandra has been producing plays and films since 2005. She served as the co-producer of Michelle Danner’s “How to Go Out On a Date In Queens” and “Hello Herman”. On the theater side, she has had a long collaboration with director Henry Jaglom, producing his critically acclaimed play “Always But Not Forever” and his hit “Just 45 Minutes from Broadway”, that ran successfully for over a year. An active member of the community, Alexandra also curates the Edgemar Center Art Gallery and runs the Michelle Danner Acting School, one of the top programs in the country.
 
Jason Chase Tyrrell Co-Festival Director
Jason Chase Tyrrell is the founder of Chunky Baby Productions, and has been writing, directing and producing in short and long formats for the stage, screen and non-profit corporate initiatives for the last fifhteen years. Prior to moving to Los Angeles Jason was the Director of Acquisitions for IndiePix Films, where he orchestrated the international distribution of award-winning titles such as “We Live in Public”, “Women Without Men”, “Samson & Delilah”, “All My Friends are Funeral Singers”, “Big River Man”, “It Came From Kuchar”, “Sita Sings the Blues”, “Forbidden Lie$” and “Dominick Dunne: After the Party”. Jason was the West Coast Editor for Film Slate Magazine, and the Live Production Director for the first three Cinema Eye Honors for NonFiction Film, a documentary awards event held at the New York Times Center. Jason continues to support independent film as a development and distribution consultant working alongside festivals, boutique distributors and independent production companies.

Rebecca Morgan Co-Festival Director
Rebecca Morgan relocated from New York, and has called Venice Beach her home for the last five years. An integral part of the Edgemar Center for the Arts and All in Films, Rebecca helped found and was the Company Manager of Edgemar Theater Group, comprised of 100 actors, writers, and directors. They produced original stage works including “You’re on the Air”, “Hello Herman”, and “Acts on the Edge: One Act Festival”. She was the Associate Producer of Michelle Danner’s “Hello Herman”, and oversees Edgemar’s Annual Celebrity Poker Tournament. She is currently writing and producing the web series “Dumpwater Divas”.