The Global Film Village

LA Film Festival Shines a Light on East LA

// July 3rd, 2011 // Comments Off // Film Festivals

(L-R) Mike Genovese, SAG Board Member Ellen Crawford, writer Howard A. Rodman, actress Erika Christensen, writer Diablo Cody, Marla Lewin, Bertila Damas and William Charlton at the SAGIndie, SAG and WGAW reception at LAFF _photo courtesy www.Heartquakepictures.com

by Marla Lewin

The Filmmaker Mixer gave us a chance to catch up with David Ansen and Doug Jones. They were both excited about the diversity of film shown this year, and David shared that he had traveled again to many festivals including Berlin, Toronto, and also to Havana, Cuba to bring films to LA.  David said, “There are many films this year set in East LA.  We are thrilled that Drive won in Cannes.  We have strong docs this year.  There is a fun film Richard Linklater’s Bernie with Shirley Maclaine and Jack Black that kicked off the festival, and a great Czech film.  Life Happens is set in Silverlake and has a terrific youngest.  Mamitas has a breakthrough performance from its lead actor, EJ Bonilla  is someone to watch. Elite Squad from Brazil is a real crowd pleaser and was the highest grossing film ever in that country”.

Programer Doug Jones said it was a great opening night and there was a great mix of films.  ”Everything from Bernie to docs and films from all over the world.  Something for everyone”. (more…)

A Watershed Year for ShortFest

// June 10th, 2011 // Comments Off // Film Festivals

by Marla Lewin

“It’s a watershed year for ShortFest,” said Festival Director Darryl Macdonald, “encompassing our first foray into the world of online short film streaming, and an expanded lineup of international participants.”

This year’s ShortFest will feature Academy Award winners and nominees, along with other film and television stars and studio executives.  Melissa Leo in the World Premiere of The Sea Is All I Know (USA); Sarah Paulson and Wes Bentley star in After-School Special (USA); Selma Blair and Jeremy Davies in Animal Love (USA); Michael Cera stars in Bad Dads (USA); Billy Burke in David and Goliath (USA); Anthony LaPaglia in In Loco Parentis (Australia); Campbell Scott in Love, Lots of It (USA); Jason Alexander, James Avery, Sid Ganis, Amy Heckerling, Sally Kirkland, Kathy Najimy, Amy Pascal, and Joe Roth in Not Your Time (USA); Seymour Cassel and Fionnula Flanagan in the North American premiere of Pass the Salt, Please (USA); Kirsten Dunst and Brian Geraghty in the U.S. premiere of The Second Bakery Attack (Mexico/USA); Tom Hardy in Sergeant Slaughter, My Big Brother (UK); Julia Stiles stars in Sexting (USA) directed by Neil LaBute; Keira Knightley and Colin Firth star in Steve (UK) directed by Rupert Friend; Adam Arkin, Clifton Collins, Jr., Carla Gugino and Jesse Spencer star in Tell-Tale (UK); and Jessica Chastain stars in and serves as a producer for The Westerner (USA). (more…)

COL_COA Begins April 11th at Directors Guild of America

// March 8th, 2011 // Comments Off // Film Festivals

by Marla Lewin

Just a little more than a month away from my favorite French Film Festival in Los Angeles, The City of Lights-City of Angels film festival. Each year it gets better and better with great films and small intimate interviews with amazing legendary directors and this year will be no different as they will be honoring the acclaimed writer-director Bertrand Blier. Who could forget his film GOING PLACES starring Gérard Depardieu, Miou-Miou, and Jeanne Moreau? This year they will screen his new film  THE CLINK OF ICE, starring  Albert Dupontel and Jean Dujardin, which opened the 2010 Venice Days sidebar and won its best film award. The Thursday Happy Hour Talk will follow his film COLD CUTS which also starred Gerard Depardieu. (more…)

LA Shorts Fest 2010

// July 7th, 2010 // Comments Off // Film Festivals

by Marla Lewin

We will be attending another Shorts Film Fest this time here in Los Angeles. They proclaim themselves to be the largest short film festival in the world with 285 film screenings and 9 days of educational panels, interactive and entertaining events. Their host venue is the Laemmle Sunset 5 Theaters located at 8000 Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood CA 90046.

They tell me that the festival has quickly become the industry standard for showcasing and awarding undiscovered talent. It is officially recognized by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, and some of these films may go on to receive Oscar nominations. In the past, 33 films that have played at the festival have received Oscar nominations with 11 winning the coveted Oscar statue. (more…)

Fantastic Fest September 23-30, 2010 Geek Heaven

// July 3rd, 2010 // Comments Off // Film Festivals

by Marc Halperin

What can you say about a festival that advertises it self as having:

70 Features • 50 Shorts • Eight nights of parties * Guns • Barbecue • Swimmin’ Holes • Karaoke, and …an unholy amount of movies, booze and fun await you in Austin, Texas.

The last two words say it all, only in Austin, a city whose motto is “Help Keep Austin Weird.”

This annual event is put together with the prodigious help of Harry Knowles of Aint it Cool News. Harry has made a living for himself and a lot of other people by making the Internet into a refuge and business for many in fandom. Next to Comic-Con in San Diego this is probably the most important film festival in the United States for all things related to science fiction, horror, fantasy and the supernatural. (more…)