Film Festivals
2008 Santa Barbara International Film Festival January 24 through February 3
www.sbiff.org (805) 963-0023
Independent films, celebrities and filmmakers will come together once again in beautiful Santa Barbara, California at the 2008 Santa Barbara International Film Festival—a non-profit organization promoting film figures as well as the recognition of quality, artistic films. This year’s honorees will include Tommy Lee Jones, Cate Blanchett, Ryan Gosling, Angelina Jolie, and Javier Bardem. The Festival also presents a great opportunity to highlight potential Oscar Nominees.
Pan African Film & Arts Festival February 7 through February18
www.paff.org (323) 295-1706
Established in 1992, The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) is a non-profit corporation dedicated to the promotion of cultural and racial tolerance and understanding through the exhibition of film, art and creative expression.
It is PAFF's goal to present and showcase the broad spectrum of Black creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images and help to destroy negative stereotypes. We believe film and art can lead to better understanding and foster communication between peoples of diverse cultures, races, and lifestyles, while at the same time, serve as a vehicle to initiate dialogue on the important issues of our times.
The Other Venice Film Festival March 15 through March 18
www.othervenicefilmfest.com (310) 795-9219
As if Los Angeles needed another film festival! We mostly agree. It's debatable, but many historians suggest the film making in Los Angeles was born in Venice, with Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, The Keystone Cops and the Little Rascals all shooting in studios and locations here. 'Hollywood', as we all know it, was born later with major studios taking root in mid-town Los Angeles. Over the years, filmmaking greats like Roger Corman and James Cameron based their studios in Venice. Still today, Venice is home to many industry businesses, including production, casting, sound, special effects and post houses.
We call it The Other Venice Film Festival, well, because there already is a Venice Film Festival - in Venice, Italy. Our festival is produced by a core team, but each year it comes down to awesome volunteers and strong community support.
Malibu Film Festival April 13 through April 16
www.malibufilmfestival.com (866) 468-3399
Back in 1997, Malibu Film Foundation, a California Non Profit was founded by Malibu local producer, David Katz, to organize the Malibu Film Festival. The first Malibu Film Festival took place in 1999 with rave reviews. Over the years the festival has remained true to its mission of helping new filmmakers showcase their work to the film industry decision makers. After winning top honors at the Malibu Film Festival, filmmakers have gone on to be represented by the major talent agencies and have signed multi picture deals with the movie studios.
The Malibu Film Festival, held annually for 4 days in April, showcases the best of American and International independent cinema. With an attendance of up to 10,000, the festival screens 80 narrative features, documentaries and short films from around the world. Now in its seventh year, the festival has grown into a world-class event, helping new filmmakers showcase their work to the film industry decision makers.
Visual Communications Film Festival May 3 through May 10
www.vconline.org (213) 680-4462
The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival was established in 1983 as a vehicle to promote Asian Pacific American and Asian international cinema. As the major U.S. showcase for ethnic-based media, the Festival fulfills a unique and valuable mission in illuminating the visions and voices of Asian Pacific peoples and heritage. The Festival is a production of Visual Communications, the nation’s premier media arts organization dedicated to creating, preserving and presenting Asian Pacific American history and culture through the media arts.
Visual Communications has pioneered many vital developments in the national media arts arena. The non-profit organization holds a 35-year track record of producing and preserving award-winning film, video and multimedia works; plays a leading role in arts and telecommunications public policy issues; and promotes media literacy and access through training workshops and seminars in traditional and new media technologies.
Silver Lake Film Festival May 3 through May 12
www.silverlakefilmfestival.org (323) 660-1935
Silver Lake Film Festival is a nonprofit organization established to provide a showcase for independent film in Los Angeles. In the film capital of the world, and in the shadow of the Hollywood film industry, independently produced films are often neglected and worse, rarely presented.
Silver Lake Film Festival was created to specifically address the lack of opportunity for independent narrative features and documentaries, as well as short films, to be seen by audiences in movie theaters. These are films that reflect a personal vision of the filmmaker, rather than a commercial imperative. In fact, the majority of films screened at the annual SLFF festival would otherwise never have been seen by Los Angeles audiences in any context - in theaters, on TV or DVD, etc. In addition to its annual festival, the organization presents a monthly screening of short films that is consistently SRO and a variety of media arts and related arts programming throughout the year.
Artivist July 26 through 30
www.artivists.org (310) 712-1222
"ARTIVIST" is the first international film festival and awards dedicated to addressing Human Rights, Children's Advocacy, Environmental Preservation, and Animal Rights. Our mission is to strengthen the voice of activist artists - "Artivists" - while raising public awareness for social global causes.
Since its inception in 2004, the Artivist Film Festival has showcased 223 films at the historic Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. Representing more than 45 countries, Artivist has reached millions of people with its public relations campaign. Films premiered at the festival have included Academy Award winner Born Into Brothels, Academy Award Nominee Super-Size Me, Fast Food Nation, Emmanuelle's Gift, and Trudell.
Ojai Film Festival October
www.ojaifilmfestival.com (805) 640-1947
The Ojai Film Festival is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and supporting the art of the motion picture through the presentation of an annual multi day festival in which films and videos submitted by filmmakers throughout the world are publicly exhibited at several venues in and around the city of Ojai, California.
Each year, far from big city bustle, this delightful small town located 70 miles from Hollywood’s doorstep, offers a unique experience:
- Four days of non-stop screenings.
- The best new independent films from around the world.
- Hot filmmaking seminars with top industry icons.
- Special screenings of film classics.
- Opportunities to interact with filmmakers.
- Premieres and pre-release screenings of major motion pictures.
Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival October
www.latinofilm.org (323) 469-9066
A premier Latino International Film Festival in the USA, LALIFF is the prominent venue for exhibition of the best of Latin cinema and artistry from the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain and Portugal. The festival creates a bridge between Hollywood and independent filmmakers, as well as nurture existing and emerging creative talent. The festival serves as a springboard and catalyst for the promotion & distribution of Latino films & awareness for our artistry.
LALIFF presents feature films, documentaries, shorts and special side bar screenings. The films presented at the festival showcase a wide variety of themes by Latino filmmakers, producers, writers and actors, as well as movies that depict Latino culture. It is a competitive festival with prizes and is a venue where filmmakers come together with buyers and distributors. Our Industry Office facilitates meetings and keeps a video library for Hollywood executives. LALIFF also offers industry workshops, panels, labs, networking receptions, educational programs, and hosts some of the best Galas in tinsel town. We hope you will join us!