|
May 29, 2012
Today the Los Angeles Film Festival, in
conjunction with Presenting Media Sponsor the Los
Angeles Times and Host Partner L.A. LIVE, announced that Chris McGurk,
Chairman and CEO of Cinedigm Entertainment Group, will be the Keynote Speaker
for the 2012 Festival. The Keynote serves as a kick-off to multiple panels and
conversations running for a week during the Festival that gives movie lovers
and emerging filmmakers a behind-the-scenes look at the entertainment industry.
Coffee Talks, a Poolside Rant and free Spotlight on the Craft and Café Latino
panels all feature some of today’s most fascinating film personalities
discussing their craft with their peers in a fun and accessible environment. In
addition, comedian Marc Maron will pull back the curtain on his wildly popular
“WTF with Marc Maron” podcast by recording an episode in front of a live
audience at the Festival.
The LA Film Fest is a unique opportunity
for us to share with a wider audience what Film Independent does year-round for
filmmakers—go behind the scenes to provide a comprehensive view of the art and
craft of filmmaking. This year, we have a wide selection of panels that
explores online short storytelling, animation, television, cinematography and
sound with some of the top leaders in their field,” said Maria Bozzi, Film
Independent’s Director of Education.
McGurk will present his Keynote Speech
on June 16 about the art and business of independent film by
addressing the Renaissance of Indie Film. It will also serve to open a full day
of panels presented by different film organizations at the AFCI Locations Show,
which runs June 15-16 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The Los Angeles
Film Festival Keynote is recognized in the filmmaking community as the
mid-year, state-of-independent-film address, with past speakers including
Graham Taylor, Jim Stern, Mark Gill, Ted Hope, Ron Yerxa and Albert Berger.
With over 25 years of experience in senior leadership positions at MGM Studios,
Overture Films, Anchor Bay Entertainment, Universal Studios, Disney Studios,
Pepsico and Price Waterhouse, McGurk is well-versed in all areas of the
entertainment business, including financing, marketing and globally releasing
entertainment projects as diverse as big budget blockbusters, social action
documentaries, horror pictures, network and syndicated TV series and
independent films.
On June 19, Marc Maron brings his
wildly popular and critically acclaimed “WTF with Marc Maron” podcast to the
Festival by recording an intimate conversation in front of a live Festival
audience with a special guest. Maron’s 25-year career in comedy has exploded in
recent years, thanks to his hilariously irreverent and refreshingly honest
podcast. Past guests have included comedians, actors and artists, such as Judd
Apatow, Louis CK, Jon Hamm, Patton Oswalt and Amy Poehler.
The Festival’s popular Coffee Talks
return on June 17 with a focus on Directors, Actors, Screenwriters and Composers.
Enjoy a cup of coffee and listen to actors Jason Isaacs, Melanie Lynskey,
directors Lawrence Kasdan, Catherine Hardwicke, screenwriters John August, Zak
Penn, composers Rolfe Kent, Cliff Martinez, Michael Penn and more talk about
the various aspects of their craft. Coffee Talks are sponsored by the Directors
Guild of America, SAGIndie/Screen Actors Guild, BMI and Writers Guild of
America, West.
With the Poolside Rant on June 23,
gather at the JW Marriot ION Rooftop Pool Bar where the Festival brings
together a group of comedians to riff about movies in general, and what bugs
them in particular. The Poolside Rant is sponsored by JW Marriot Los Angele
L.A. LIVE.
For Spotlight on the Craft, free
multiple panels will be held that explore the various filmmaking tools and
digital technologies that have revolutionized the way we make and see movies.
The Festival will explore the impact these changes bring to the craft and the
process, and help deepen one’s understanding of what happens behind the screen.
On June 16, “Long Story Short,”
sponsored by FOCUS FORWARD Short Films,
Big Ideas, will delve into the art and power of online storytelling with
Thom Zadra (Head of Business Development for Original Video, Yahoo!), Amber
Lawson (Chairman of The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Interactive
Media Peer Group Membership), Jake Avnet (COO, WIGS), and Eddie Schmidt
(director, Good Bread; executive
producer, Beauty is Embarrassing).
“Capturing Ron Howard’s Imagin8ion: A
Case Study from Canon U.S.A., Inc.,” on June 23, will join some of the key
creative and technical minds behind When
You Find Me—a short film from Ron and Bryce Dallas Howard, presented by
Canon’s Project Imagin8ion—for a special screening and unique discussion of the
production. Moderator Tim Smith (Canon Advisor, Film & TV Division) will
lead the panel with Andres Lascarsis (Director of Photography), Kevin Chinoy
(Producer, Freestyle Picture Company) and Evan Pesses (Chief Lighting
Technician).
“Kodak Focus” on June 23 will shine the
spotlight on Oscar-winning cinematographer Wally Pfister (Inception, Moneyball), best known for his long-time collaboration
with director Christopher Nolan. He will discuss his craft, his career and
screen highlights from his work.
On June 17, “In the Air and On the Go:
Pioneer Filmmaking,” sponsored by Virgin America, will include a screening of
the short film Departure Date, the
first film to take extreme location shooting (and editing) to a new high:
35,000 feet, and clips from the feature film Olive, which is the first full-length film shot entirely on a
camera phone. Hear from directors Kat Coiro, Hooman Khalili and their
cinematographers Doug Chamberlain and Patrick Gilles about how they pulled it
off.
“The Sound of Stories,” on June 23 and
sponsored by Dolby Laboratories, will bring together filmmakers, sound
designers, technology innovators and industry experts to speak about what’s
involved in achieving the ultimate immersive sound. Carolyn Giardina
(Contributing Editor, Tech, The Hollywood
Reporter) will be moderating, with panelists to be announced.
On June 21, “Talk Score To Me: Emerging
Filmmakers on Collaborating with Composers,” sponsored by ASCAP will bring
together Film Independent’s Project Involve Fellows for a screening and discuss
on collaboration between directors and composers and their experience in the
inaugural ASCAP/Project Involve Composers Workshop. Panelists include Project
Involve Fellows Erin Li, Mason Richards, Susana Casares, Aaron Celious and
ASCAP composers Dan Mufson, Robert Allaire, Kevin Teasley and Sarah Schachner.
Café Latino, sponsored by HBO, brings
together the filmmakers of Latin American films at the LA Film Fest on June 17
and explores their roles as storytellers in an increasingly global world. Join
moderator Reed Johnson (Arts and Culture Reporter, Los Angeles Times), directors Arturo Pons (writer/director, The Compass is Carried by the Dead Man),
Everardo González (director, Drought),
José Alvarez (writer/director, Canícula),
Dominga Sotomayor (writer/director, Thursday
till Sunday), Bernardo Ruiz (director, El
Reportero), and Alejandro Brugues (writer/director, Juan of the Dead) for this free discussion, as they compare notes
about their filmmaking experiences in Argentina, Chile, Cuba and Mexico.
To keep track of all the fun happenings
at the Los Angeles Film Festival, iPhone users can now download the official
mobile app by visiting the App Store. Features include a real-time, searchable
film guide, ability to customize a personal schedule, purchase tickets, stream
trailers, navigate the L.A. LIVE campus and parking, find Festival discounts at
downtown restaurants, and engage with the Festival via Facebook, Twitter,
Instagram and Pinterest. To access features of the iPhone app on other mobile
devices, visit http://lafilmfestival.quickmobile.net/
Returning to downtown Los Angeles and
headquartered at L.A. LIVE for a third year, the Festival will run from
Thursday, June 14 to Sunday, June 24. Now in its eighteenth year, the Festival
is widely recognized as a world-class event, showcasing the best in new
American and international cinema, and is produced by Film Independent, the
non-profit arts organization that also produces the Spirit Awards.
Passes and tickets
are currently on sale to Film Independent members and the general public. In
addition to screenings and events, Festival passes provide access to a series
of networking receptions and entry to the Filmmaker Lounge, where Festival pass
holders can interact with Festival filmmakers and professionals in the film
community. Contact the Ticket Office for passes, tickets and event information
by calling 866.FILM.FEST (866.345.6337) or visit LAFilmFest.com.
For the seventh year, the Los Angeles
Times will serve as the Festival’s Presenting Media Sponsor and will once again
produce the Official Film Guide, the comprehensive source for all movie info,
screenings, locations and related special events. The Film Guide will top the
paper on Sunday, June 10 in Los Angeles and Orange County, and will be made
available throughout downtown Los Angeles during the ten-day event.
ABOUT
THE LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL
Now in its eighteenth year, the Los
Angeles Film Festival, supported by L.A. LIVE and The Los Angeles Times, is
widely recognized as a world-class event, showcasing the best in new American
and international cinema and providing the movie-loving public with access to
some of the most critically acclaimed filmmakers, film industry professionals,
and emerging talent from around the world.
The Festival features unique signature
programs including the Filmmaker Retreat, Poolside Chats, Coffee Talks, Music
Events and more. Additionally, the
Festival screens short films created by high school students and has a special
section devoted to music videos. Nearly 200 features, shorts, and music videos,
representing more than 30 countries, make up the main body of the Festival.
The Festival hosts juried cash awards
for best narrative and documentary features, best narrative, documentary and
animated short film, and a jury award for best performance in the narrative
competition. Audience awards are also presented to best documentary, narrative
and international feature, short film and music video.
The Los Angeles Film Festival is presented in conjunction
with Presenting Media Sponsor the Los Angeles Times and Host Partner L.A. LIVE,
Premier and Opening Night Sponsor Virgin America and Platinum sponsors Kodak,
Stella Artois, Melrose MAC, Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14, Jameson® Irish
Whiskey, Deluxe Entertainment Services Group and EFILM, HBO, Volkswagen, Canon
U.S.A., Inc., Nokia and Dolby Laboratories, Inc. Special support is provided by
the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
and FOCUS FORWARD – a partnership between GE and CINELAN. The Official
Screening Venue is Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14. The Los Angeles Athletic
Club is the Official Host Hotel and Virgin America is the Official Airline
Partner. WireImage is the Official Photography Agency and PR Newswire is the
Official Breaking News Service of Film Independent.
More information can be found at www.LAFilmFest.com
ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT
Film
Independent is a non-profit arts organization that champions independent film
and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and
uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies,
builds an audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film
industry. Film Independent’s Board of Directors, filmmakers, staff, and
constituents, is comprised of an inclusive community of individuals across
ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race, and sexual orientation. Anyone
passionate about film can become a member, whether you are a filmmaker,
industry professional, or a film lover.
Film Independent produces the Spirit Awards, the annual celebration honoring
artist-driven films and recognizing the finest achievements of American
independent filmmakers. Film Independent
also produces the Los Angeles Film Festival, showcasing the best of American
and international cinema and the Film Independent at LACMA Film Series, a
year-round, weekly program that offers unique cinematic experiences for the Los
Angeles creative community and the general public.
With
over 250 annual screenings and events, Film Independent provides access to a
network of like-minded artists who are driving creativity in the film industry.
Film Independent’s Artist Development program offers free Labs for selected
writers, directors, producers and documentary filmmakers and presents
year-round networking opportunities. Project:Involve is Film Independent’s
signature program dedicated to fostering the careers of talented filmmakers from
communities traditionally underrepresented in the film industry.
For more information or to become a member, visit FilmIndependent.org.
ABOUT L.A. LIVE
L.A. LIVE is a 4 million square foot / $2.5
billion downtown Los Angeles sports & entertainment district adjacent to
STAPLES Center and the Los Angeles Convention Center featuring Club Nokia, a 2,300 capacity live music
venue, Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE, a
7,100-seat live theatre, a 54-story, 1001-room convention “headquarters”
destination (featuring The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles and JW
Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE hotels and 224 luxury condominiums – The Ritz Carlton Residences at L.A. LIVE – all in a single tower), the GRAMMY Museum, the 14-screen Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14 theatre,
“broadcast” facilities for ESPN
along with entertainment, residential, restaurant and office space.Visit
L.A. LIVE today at www.lalive.com
ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES TIM
The Los Angeles Times is the largest
metropolitan daily newspaper in the country, with a daily readership of 1.9
million and 2.9 million on Sunday, more than 17 million unique latimes.com
visitors monthly and a combined print and online local weekly audience of 4.4
million. The Pulitzer Prize-winning
Times has been covering Southern California for more than 130 years.
The Los Angeles Times Media
Group (LATMG) businesses and affiliates also include The Envelope, Times
Community News, LA, Los Angeles Times
Magazine and Hoy Los Angeles which,
combined with the flagship Los Angeles Times, reach approximately 5.1 million
or 38% of all adults in the Southern California marketplace. LATMG also owns
and operates California Community News
as well as Tribune Direct’s
west coast division and is part of Tribune
Company, one of the country’s leading media companies with businesses in
publishing, the Internet and broadcasting. Additional information is available
at http://latimes.com/aboutus.
####
|
