Los Angeles Film Festival 2008
June 19th, 2008 by Andre Soares
Film Independent’s Los Angeles Film Festival kicks off this evening with a screening of Timur Bekmambetov’s Wanted, starring Angelina Jolie and James McAvoy, at 7:30pm at the Mann Village Bruin, Crest, and Regent theaters in Westwood Village.
The festival, with screenings in a few sections of the LA area (mostly in Westwood) until June 29, will present more than 230 narrative features, documentaries, shorts, and music videos, in addition to "poolside chats," tribute screenings, and live musical performances.
The festival’s gala and special screenings — the ones that will receive the most publicity — consist of mainstream fare, e.g., the aforementioned Wanted, X-Files: I Want To Believe, Guillermo del Toro’s Hellboy II: The Golden Army, films that hardly need more media attention to either find a distributor (they already have one) or audiences.
The important thing is to keep an eye out for the hidden gems that such festivals invariably offer. Contrary to what was said in a Los Angeles Times (the festival’s "presenter") report of a few days ago, LA, the "movie capital of the world," suffers from an appalling dearth of venues for both independent and foreign films. (One publicist recently told me — perhaps only half-jokingly — that every time she has to open a foreign/independent film in LA, she feels like slashing her wrists.)
Anyhow, that’s why festivals such as the LAFF are not only important but downright essential for Angeleno film lovers.
Festival passes are available for the general public, while individual tickets are available through phone and online sales. The Festival Ticket Office, located at 1020 Westwood Boulevard, is open to the public, selling both passes and individual tickets.
For event information and tickets, call 866.FILM.FEST (866.345.6337) or visit LAFilmFest.com.
Below is the LAFF’s list of upcoming gala/special screenings/tributes. More festival news to follow…
Swear-A-Long Scarface
Friday, June 20
Where: Ford Amphitheatre
When: 8:30pm
X-Files: I Want To Believe — Sneak Peek (clips from the upcoming summer blockbuster)
Followed by a conversation Chris Carter, screenwriter Frank Spotznick and David Duchovny
Sunday, June 22
Where: Crest Theatre
When: 7:00pm
The Right Men — Conversation with Ivan and Jason Reitman
Monday, June 23
Where: Geffen Playhouse
When: 7:00pm
Una Noche Con Antonio Banderas — Special conversation w/ Antonio Banderas
Tuesday, June 24
Where: Billy Wilder Theater
When: 8:00pm
Centerpiece Screening — Anvil! The Story of Anvil
Thursday, June 26
Where: Crest Theater
When: 8:00pm
The American President (1995) — Conversation with director Rob Reiner
Thursday, June 26
Where: Billy Wilder Theatre
When: 8:00pm
Closing Night Gala — Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Saturday, June 28
Where: Crest, Regent and Mann Village Bruin Theaters
When: 6:00pm
Awards Ceremony w/ Spirit of Independence Honoree Don Cheadle
Sunday, June 29
Where: Billy Wilder Theatre / Hammer Museum
When: 7:00pm
Family Day
Sunday, June 29
Where: Broxton Avenue Stage
When: 11:00am
Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D — Los Angeles premiere screening
Sunday, June 29
Where: Mann Village Theatre
When: 3:00pm
Artivist Film Festival Looking for Submissions
Cannes 2008: Manoel de Oliveira Homage
Cannes 2008: Michael Moore, Jane Birkin, Woody Allen
Cannes 1968 in THE INDEPENDENT
Visualizing the Sacred: Islam on Film at UCLA
DELIVER US FROM EVIL, DEAR TALULA, TWO HANDS: Contemporary Documentaries
Bette Davis Celebration at LACMA
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