FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Alia Quart Khan, Film Independent Tel: 310.432.1287 or aqkhan@filmindependent.org Gina Pence, Ginsberg/Libby Tel: 323.645.6800 or gina.pence@ginsberglibby.com LA FILM FESTIVAL UNVEILS 2016 COMPETITION LINEUP 42 World Premieres chosen for U.S. Fiction, Documentary, World Fiction, LA Muse, and Nightfall Competitions LOS ANGELES (April 26, 2016) Today the LA Film Festival, produced by Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that also produces the Film Independent Spirit Awards, unveiled the official U.S. Fiction, Documentary, World Fiction, Nightfall and LA Muse sections. The 2016 LA Film Festival will screen a diverse slate of feature films, shorts and web series, along with programs such as the Filmmaker Retreat, Coffee Talks and Master Classes. The Festival runs June 1-9, 2016 at the ArcLight Cinemas. Our Programming team, led by Roya Rastegar and Jennifer Cochis, killed it, said Festival Director, Stephanie Allain. The competition lineup of 42 world premieres echoes Film Independent s mission to celebrate diversity and showcases a multitude of innovative, fresh voices. We can t wait to share these films with audiences and industry alike, and, following years which saw films like Meet the Patels, Code Black, Nightingale, The Drew, Out of My Hand and French Dirty acquired out of the Festival, are confident that 2016 will mark our best Festival yet. "Discovering storytellers is our raison d être, said Roya Rastegar, Director of Programming. We invest a great deal to learn about filmmaking communities across the globe. We look for films with conviction in perspective, style and voice. "Curating films for LA audiences is so special because Angelenos have a uniquely homegrown love of cinema," added Creative Director, Jennifer Cochis. "It's with true film lovers in mind that we program: from political theater to musical theater, we're highlighting storytelling in all its forms." The 2016 LA Film Festival, which will have its headquarters at the ArcLight Culver City, announces a diverse slate of 56 feature films, 58 short films and 13 short episodic works representing 28 countries. Previously announced, the Opening Night Film is the World Premiere of Ricardo De Monrtreuil s Lowriders, sponsored by Jaeger-LeCoultre. This year s Guest Director is Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station, Creed) and Ava DuVernay
(Selma, Middle of Nowhere) and Array Releasing will receive the Spirit of Independence Award. More special screenings and programs will be announced in the coming weeks. The Festival s five competitions feature 42 World Premieres. Across the five feature competition categories, 43% of the films are directed by women and 38% of the films are directed by people of color. This year, LA Film Festival Director Stephanie Allain is joined by Creative Director Jennifer Cochis, Director of Programming Roya Rastegar and Managing Director Ralph Rivera. Film Independent Curator Elvis Mitchell continues to oversee signature programs and LACMA events. Passes are currently on sale to Film Independent Members and the general public. In addition to access to screenings and events (even after they sell out), Festival passes provide access to networking receptions and the Festival Lounge, where pass holders interact with Festival filmmakers and professionals in the film community. General admission tickets to individual films go on sale to Film Independent Members beginning Thursday, May 5 and to the general public beginning Tuesday, May 10. Contact the Ticket Office for passes, tickets and event information by calling 866.FILM.FEST (866.345.6337) or visit lafilmfestival.com. US Fiction Competition (12) Original voices with distinct visions from emerging and established American independent filmmakers. 11:55, dir. Ari Issler, Ben Snyder, USA, World Premiere 72 Hours, dir. Raafi Rivero, USA, World Premiere Blood Stripe, dir. Remy Auberjonois, USA, World Premiere Chee and T, dir. Tanuj Chopra, USA, World Premiere Destined, dir. Qasim Basir, USA, World Premiere Dreamstates, dir. Anisia Uzeyman, USA, World Premiere GREEN / is / GOLD, dir. Ryon Baxter, USA, World Premiere My First Kiss and the People Involved, dir. Luigi Campi, USA, World Premiere Paint it Black, dir. Amber Tamblyn, USA, World Premiere Tracktown, dir. Jeremy Teicher, Alexi Pappas, USA, World Premiere The View from Tall, dir. Erica Weiss, Caitlin Parrish, USA, World Premiere Woven, dir. Salome Mulugeta, Nagwa Ibrahim, USA, World Premiere Documentary Competition (12) Sponsored by Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television. Compelling, character-driven non-fiction films from the U.S. and around the world. Company Town, dir. Natalie Kottke, Erica Sardarian, USA, World Premiere Denial, dir. Derek Hallquist, USA, World Premiere Dr. Feelgood, dir. Eve Marson, USA, World Premiere Dying Laughing, dir. Lloyd Stanton, Paul Toogood, USA/UK, World Premiere The House on Coco Road, dir. Damani Baker, Grenada/USA, World Premiere Jackson, dir. Maisie Crow, USA, World Premiere The Last Gold, dir. Brian T. Brown, Germany/USA, World Premiere Looking at the Stars, dir. Alexandre Peralta, Brazil/Nicaragua/USA, World Premiere
Olympic Pride, American Prejudice, dir. Deborah Riley Draper, USA, World Premiere Out of Iraq, dir. Eva Orner, Chris McKim, Canada/Iraq/Lebanon/USA, World Premiere Political Animals, dir. Jonah Markowitz, Tracy Wares, USA, World Premiere They Call Us Monsters, dir. Ben Lear, USA, World Premiere World Fiction Competition (6) Unique fiction films from around the world from emerging and established filmmakers, especially curated for LA audiences. Heis (chronicles), dir. Anaïs Volpé, France, World Premiere Like Cotton Twines, dir. Leila Djansi, Ghana/USA, World Premiere London Town, dir. Derrick Borte, UK, World Premiere Lupe Under the Sun, dir. Rodrigo Reyes, Mexico/USA, World Premiere A Moving Image, dir. Shola Amoo, UK, World Premiere Play the Devil, dir. Maria Govan, Trinidad/Bahamas/USA, World Premiere LA Muse (6) Fiction and documentary films that capture the spirit of L.A. Actors of Sound, dir. Lalo Molina, Argentina/Finland/Germany/India/Ireland/USA, World Premiere Girl Flu., dir. Dorie Barton, USA, World Premiere Manchild: The Schea Cotton Story, dir. Eric "Ptah" Herbert, USA, World Premiere Namour, dir. Heidi Saman, USA, World Premiere No Light and No Land Anywhere, dir. Amber Sealey, USA, World Premiere Sensitivity Training, dir. Melissa Finell, USA, World Premiere Nightfall (6) From the bizarre to the horrifying, these are films to watch after dark. Abattoir, dir. Darren Lynn Bousman, USA, World Premiere Beyond the Gates, dir. Jackson Stewart, USA, World Premiere Don t Hang Up, dir. Alexis Wajsbrot, Damien Macé, UK, World Premiere Mercy, dir. Chris Sparling, USA, World Premiere Officer Downe, dir. M. Shawn Crahan, USA, World Premiere Villisca, dir. Tony Valenzuela, USA, World Premiere Short Films (58): From over 2,500 submissions, the short films selected represent 15 countries and 64% are directed by women. Short films are shown before features and as part of seven short film programs. Shorts will compete for juried prizes for fiction and documentary shorts, as well as an Audience Award for Best Short Film. Future Filmmakers Showcase: High School Shorts (33): The LA Film Festival s Future Filmmaker Showcase brings to the big screen the best films made by budding young filmmakers from across the country and the globe. In this diverse slate of films, incredibly accomplished high school students will present wild comedies, moving dramas, mesmerizing animation, introspective experimental films and everything in between. Program sponsored by Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television and Time Warner Foundation.
Episodes: Indie Series from the Web (13) A showcase of independently crafted web series, celebrating rising creators whose work and subjects are innovative and unfiltered. 20 Seconds to Live, dir. Ben Rock, USA Brothers, dir. Emmett Jack Lundberg, USA Caring, dir. Maggie Kiley, USA Fridays, dir. Anna Kerrigan, USA The Ghost and The Negro, dir. Sylvester Folks, USA Her Story, dir. Sydney Freeland, USA Instababy, dir. Rosie Haber, USA Literally So Busy, dir. Jerad Sloan, USA Little Things, dir. Lex Halaby, Mila Shah, USA Outside Comedy: Beth Stelling, dir. Thomas Wood, USA Quirky Female Protagonist, dir. Yulin Kuang, USA Shangri-LA, dir. Drew Rosas, USA Time Out with Yes Please!, dir. Kholi Hicks, USA PLEASE REFERENCE THE PROGRAMMING ADDENDUM IN THE PRESS RELEASE SECTION OF FILMINDEPENDENT.ORG/PRESS FOR FILM TITLES, SYNOPSES, CAST, AND CREDITS. Online & Social Media: www.filmindependent.org/la-film-festival/ Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/lafilmfestival and Twitter @LAFilmFestival Official event hashtag: #LAFilmFestival Press materials can be found at filmindependent.org/press/. The deadline for press to submit applications for credentials is May 5. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Albina Oks, Director of Sponsorship at Film Independent, aoks@filmindependent.org. ABOUT THE LA FILM FESTIVAL The LA Film Festival is a key part of the exhibition arm of Film Independent, showcasing new American and international cinema that embraces diversity, innovation and unique perspectives. The Festival produces one-of-a-kind events featuring critically acclaimed filmmakers, industry professionals and award-winning talent from Los Angeles and around the world. The Festival s signature programs include the Filmmaker Retreat, Celebrating Women Filmmakers, Master Classes, Spirit of Independence Award, Coffee Talks, LA Muse and more. The Festival also screens short films created by high school students. Presenting Media Sponsor is the Los Angeles Times. Premier Sponsor is Peroni Nastro Azzurro and Principal Sponsor is Jaeger-LeCoultre. Platinum Sponsors are American Airlines, Dolby Laboratories, Inc., EFILM Company 3 and HBO. The University Sponsor is Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television. WireImage is the Official Photography Agency. More information can be found at lafilmfestival.com.
ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT Film Independent is the non-profit arts organization that champions creative independence in visual storytelling and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds an audience for their projects and works to diversify the film industry. Film Independent s Board of Directors, filmmakers, staff and constituents, is comprised of an inclusive community of individuals across ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race and sexual orientation. Anyone passionate about film can become a member, whether you are a filmmaker, industry professional or a film lover. Film Independent produces the Spirit Awards, the annual celebration honoring artistdriven films and recognizing the finest achievements of American independent filmmakers. Film Independent also produces the LA Film Festival, showcasing the best of American and international cinema and the Film Independent at LACMA Film Series, a year-round, weekly program that offers unique cinematic experiences for the Los Angeles creative community and the general public. With over 250 annual screenings and events, Film Independent provides access to a network of like-minded artists who are driving creativity in the film industry. Film Independent s Artist Development program offers free Labs for selected writers, directors, producers and documentary filmmakers and presents year-round networking opportunities. Project Involve is Film Independent s signature program dedicated to fostering the careers of talented filmmakers from communities traditionally underrepresented in the film industry. For more information or to become a member, visit filmindependent.org. ABOUT ARCLIGHT CINEMAS ArcLight Cinemas, created by Pacific Theatres, a privately owned, Los Angeles based company with 60 years of theatrical exhibition history throughout California, Hawaii and Washington is a premiere moviegoing experience with an unparalleled commitment to bringing a variety of rich cinematic content to moviegoers in all markets. ArcLight Cinemas operates eight theaters in California including Hollywood, Pasadena, Sherman Oaks, El Segundo, Santa Monica, Culver City and La Jolla, as well as one theater in Bethesda, Md, Chicago and Glenview, Ill, with a new location in Boston for early 2018. ArcLight also owns and operates the historic Cinerama Dome and programs the TCL Chinese Theatre and IMAX in Hollywood. Pacific Theatres currently operates theaters in Los Angeles that include The Grove and The Americana at Brand in Glendale, Calif. Additional information about ArcLight Cinemas is available at www.arclightcinemas.com. ###