(March 29, 2006) LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL IS MOVING FROM H`WOOD TO W`WOOD VILLAGE
LOS ANGELES (March 29, 2006) – SAVE THE DATE! Westwood Village will be the new home of Film Independent's Los Angeles Film Festival, which runs from Thursday, June 22–Sunday, July 2. In its expanded location, festival-goers will experience the best of American and international cinema enjoying over 170 feature films and shorts, including Coffee Talks, Poolside Chats and other special star-studded events. Westwood Village will showcase the films among 11 theaters, all within walking distance of each other, with ample, convenient parking, and easy access to shopping and dining, setting the stage for the biggest festival yet.

"With 60,000 attendees last year and more expected this year, Westwood Village is the perfect location to handle our festival's growing audience," said Festival Director Rich Raddon. "Patrons will discover easy access to screenings, events, restaurants, shopping, parking and parking shuttles making this year's festival better than ever."

"Film Independent is proud to present a world class film festival in the movie capitol of the world," said Dawn Hudson, Executive Director of Film Independent. "Our new location in the Village of Westwood enables us to be more accessible to film-lovers of all ages."

Over the course of 10 days and 11 nights, the public is invited to take advantage of world premieres including both independent films and major studio releases, tribute screenings, outdoor movies, celebrity-filled Red Carpets, VIP parties and more.

Screenings will be held in Westwood at Royce Hall, James Bridges Theater and Melnitz Hall on the UCLA campus and at the Geffen Playhouse, Mann Village Theatre, Landmark Regent Theatre, Italian Cultural Institute, Mann Festival Theater, Mann National Theater, Hammer Museum and the Majestic Crest Theater.

Festival screening schedules and programming information will be announced Thursday, June 1. Passes are now on sale. For more information about the Los Angeles Film Festival, please visit www.lafilmfest.com.

Film Independent's Los Angeles Film Festival is presented by the Los Angeles Times and is supported by Premier Sponsors In Style, Target, Pop Secret, and Intel, and by Principal Sponsor Eastman Kodak Company. Special support provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Academy Foundation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. American Airlines is the Official Airline Partner and WireImage is the Official Photography Agency of Film Independent.

FESTIVAL PASSES ON SALE

FAST PASS $1,000 - VIP Express. No waiting. All Access.
Includes: Express Entry to all regular Westwood screenings; admission to Poolside Chats, Coffee Talks, Financing Conference, Target Red Room hospitality suite, and
The Mix at Six parties; two tickets to Opening Night Gala, Centerpiece Premiere and Closing Night Gala.

INDUSTRY PASS $500 Nonmembers/$450 Film Independent Members - Includes: Admission to all regular Westwood screenings, two tickets to Opening Night Gala, Centerpiece Premiere, and Closing Night Gala.

DISCOVERY PASS $350 Nonmembers/$300 Film Independent Members - Includes: 15 tickets to any regular Westwood screening, one ticket to Opening Night Gala, Centerpiece Premiere, and Closing Night Gala.

WESTWOOD VILLAGE PASS $175 Nonmembers/$150 Film Independent Members - Includes: 10 tickets to any regular Westwood screening, access to the Target Red Room hospitality suite, and The Mix at Six parties.

FINANCING CONFERENCE PASS $175 Nonmembers/$145 Film Independent Members - Includes: Admission to all seminars at the Financing Conference on Saturday, June 24

FORD AMPHITHEATRE PASS $100 Nonmembers/$90 Film Independent Members - Includes: Two VIP tickets to five outdoor screenings at the Ford Amphitheatre, One Gift
Basket including wine, hors d'oeuvres, and one blanket.

If purchased by May 15, Industry and Discovery pass holders receive one Financing Conference Pass and Westwood Village pass holders receive two tickets to Sam Shepard's new play The God of Hell at the Geffen Playhouse.

To order passes, visit LaFilmFest.com or call 866-FilmFest.

About Film Independent
Film Independent, the largest non-profit membership organization for independent filmmakers, cultivates the careers of independent filmmakers, builds the audience for independent films, and increases diversity in the film industry. Film Independent provides its members with more than 250 annual events and screenings, along with professional advice, educational programs, affordable camera and equipment rentals, and discounts to hundreds of industry-related businesses.

Film Independent also offers Filmmaker Labs, giving filmmakers the opportunity to develop their projects, and Project:Involve, a mentorship and job placement program that pairs filmmakers from culturally diverse communities with film industry professionals. Film Independent produces the Independent Spirit Awards and Los Angeles Film Festival, celebrating the best of American and international cinema. For more information, visit www.FilmIndependent.org.