20 Year Anniversary For LA Film Festival
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer
Looking back on the month of June, what was one of the most memorable parts of the month? Of course, it had to be the 20th Annual Los Angeles Film Festival which took place from June 11th through June 19, 2014 right in the heart of downtown Los Angeles.
Just as large and entertaining as some of its fellow film festivals, this one brought with it nearly 200 features, shorts and music videos from close to 40 different countries. Not only did the films enchant and touch our hearts, but there were programs that brought much interaction from the audience themselves. The Filmmaker Retreat, Music In Film Nights at the GRAMMY Museum, Celebrating Women Film Makers, Master Classes and the presentation of Spirit of Independence Awards and the ever relaxing Poolside Chats.
Since this was the 20th anniversary of the festival that has come so far in leaps and bounds, it was dedicated to the ‘City of Angels.’ This was a cinematic reflection of the city-muse through a program of films, performances and panel discussions.
Many amazing films of all genres were shown from ’22 Jump Street’ , music videos from Beyonce,’ Jersey Boys’, ‘The Runaway’, The Waiting Game
Not only do emerging and well-known directors and screenwriters receive their chance to have their names appear top, front and center, but now filmgoers have the ability to see films put together by some of the brightest high school students on their way to the top of the entertainment industry. As far as awards go, earning the JURY Award is a great honor but having people like you and me vote in the AUDIENCE Award is even more meaningful in so many ways.
A winning film for sure, David Boyle gave film goers a very enlightening film which ended up taking “Best Narrative Feature Award.” It is ‘MAN FROM RENO’ and the plot begins to thicken as a Japanese crime novelist investigates a murder in San Francisco. The film stars Ayako Fujitani, Pepe Serna of ‘Scarface’ fame and Kazuki Kitamura. The film was produced by Ko Mori from Eleven Arts Inc. Collaborating with Dave Boyle on the screenwriting was Joel Clark and Michael Lerman.
Director Dave Boyle’s reaction was that of gratitude and excitement: “It’s an incredible honor and a wonderful surprise to receive this award. The LA Film Fest experience has been so wonderful, and I didn’t think it could get any better. I want to thank Doug Jones, Maggie Mackay and David Ansen for championing the film and the hard work of many people. I can’t thank our cast and crew enough for believing in this project. It’s an amazing feeling to see their work on the film honored this way, and a treat to receive the award from a jury of filmmakers whose work I admire so much.”
Producer Ko Mori adds: “I still can’t believe that we won the best narrative film at Los Angeles film Festival. I’m so honored. An independent film like ours is always not easy to be recognized to wide audience so this is so encouraging. Great work from the director Dave Boyle and the whole team! I’d like to thank LAFF to have given us this opportunity.”
Following on the heels of such a coveted award, “MAN FROM RENO” had two screenings and both were sold out immediately. Sponsorship came from large organizations such as Relativity Media, Subaru, HBO and Canon. The festival was made possible with a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The list continues on with more sponsors of all sizes.
The Los Angeles Film Festival, or LA Film Fest, is produced by Film Independent, a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts organization dedicated to promoting and supporting independent films and filmmakers that embody diversity, innovation and uniqueness of vision. In addition to the Festival, Film Independent’s marquee events include the popular Film Independent at LACMA series, and the annual Film Independent Spirit Awards, Film Independent Forum and Directors Close-Up.
With the cultural charisma of the traditional film festival, LA Film Festival 2014 delighted inquisitive crowds throughout the full 9 day period, June 11th through the 19th, 2014. We look forward to some of these arriving at a theatre near us very soon.
Photos Courtesy of Strategy PR.net
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