Film Festival: Los Angeles Film Festival

In the Spotlight this week is the 14th Annual LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL, a Festival powerhouse and world-class meeting ground for audiences, critics, industry, and filmmakers at the heart of the movie-making capital of the world, Los Angeles, California.

Los Angeles Film Festival carries the distinction of qualifying its winners for both the Academy Awards and for the Spirit Awards. Festival World Premieres have included DELIVER US FROM EVIL, IRA & ABBY, ROCK SCHOOL, AUGUST EVENING, YOUNG@HEART, and KISSING JESSICA STEIN, all of which were individually picked up at the Festival by attending distributors such as Lionsgate, Magnolia Pictures, and Fox Searchlight.

The Festival presents Audience Awards for international and domestic features and shorts, as well as two huge cash prizes: Both the Target Filmmaker Award and the Target Documentary Award come with $50,000 cash prizes attached, going to the directors of the best American narrative feature and the best American documentary feature, respectively.

Drawing in more than 80,000 attendees annually, the Festival provides opportunities for films to be embraced by the public and discovered by the industry. Hailed as LA’s “most essential-annual film event” by LA Weekly, the Festival is a must-apply and must-attend!

UPCOMING DEADLINE
January 11, 2008 – Regular Deadline
Upgraded projects save $5 off this deadline

MISSION AND OBJECTIVE
The Los Angeles Film Festival is a program of Film Independent, a non-profit film organization that provides year-round support for over 6,000 members and the indie film community. Mentor programs, filmmaker labs, and equipment training help filmmakers master the art and craft of filmmaking. Film Independent also presents the Independent Spirit Awards, the premier awards event of the independent film community.

MORE ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Accepted Los Angeles Film Festival feature film directors are invited to the Skywalker Ranch in Northern California for an exclusive two-day Filmmaker Retreat, before the Festival kicks off. The retreat is hosted by the year’s Guest Director; past Guest Directors include George Lucas, Sydney Pollock, Mira Nair, Alfonso Cuaron, Chen Kaige, Curtis Hanson.

During the Festival, 3 nights of lodging are provided for all feature directors, along with transportation for international feature filmmakers. Networking opportunities are abundant for all filmmakers through one-on-one meetings with agents, managers, publicists, sales agents, and distributors.

Los Angeles Film Festival hosts approximately 100 events, parties, and galas – including the Spirit of Independence Award Ceremony – over its eleven days. The celebratory feeling adds to the overall excitement and energy of the Festival. Headquartered in Westwood Village – the movie premiere capital of the world – the event adopts the area’s intimate vibe, with shops and restaurants and theaters all within walking distance.