(May 30, 2007) ALIEN ROBOTS TO STORM WESTWOOD




Film Independent announced today that DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures’ highly anticipated summer blockbuster TRANSFORMERS will have its Los Angeles premiere at the 2007 Los Angeles Film Festival on Wednesday, June 27. One of the largest film premieres of its kind to take place in Los Angeles and open to the public, TRANSFORMERS will be screened simultaneously in four Westwood Village theaters with a seating of 4,000. The red-carpet premiere will be followed by a massive block party – which is open to anyone who attends one of the film’s four screenings – on the Festival Promenade on Broxton Avenue.

Directed by Michael Bay, TRANSFORMERS stars Shia LaBeouf, Tyrese Gibson, Josh Duhamel, Anthony Anderson, Megan Fox, Rachael Taylor, with John Turturro and Jon Voight.

“Fans have been waiting for this movie for years,” said Festival Director, Rich Raddon. “I’m excited that, through the Festival, the public can be a part of this anticipated premiere, not to mention the after-party that will take place in the streets of Westwood.”

TRANSFORMERS is the ultimate L.A. movie, with many of its most exciting action sequences shot on the city’s streets,” said the film’s producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura. “The Los Angeles Film Festival is the perfect venue to launch this film.”

In TRANSFORMERS, aliens make Earth their final battleground. As the forces of evil seek the key to ultimate power, our last chance for survival rests in the hands of young Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf). TRANSFORMERS will be released nationwide on July 4, 2007.

Tickets to the TRANSFORMERS premiere are $25 and can be obtained now by purchasing a pass to this year’s Festival. Any single tickets remaining will be sold beginning June 8 by calling 866.FILM.FEST (866.345.6337) or on our website, LAFilmFest.com. Screenings will take place at The Landmark Regent Theatre, the Mann National Theatre, the Mann Bruin Theatre, and the Mann Village Theatre, with the main premiere taking place at the Mann National Theatre.

As previously announced, Academy Award®-winning actor and filmmaker Clint Eastwood will receive this year’s Spirit of Independence Award on Thursday, June 28 at a special event sponsored by Target. Kasi Lemmons’ Talk to Me (Focus Features) will kick off the Festival as the Opening Night film on Thursday, June 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mann Village Theatre. Danny Boyle’s Sunshine (Fox Searchlight Pictures) will serve as the Closing Night film on Sunday, July 1 at 7:00 p.m. at the Wadsworth Theatre.

ABOUT THE 2007 LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL

Westwood Village is home to Film Independent’s Los Angeles Film Festival, which runs from Thursday, June 21 – Sunday, July 1. Festival-goers will experience the best of American and international cinema, enjoying more than 230 feature films, shorts, and music videos, as well as Coffee Talks, Poolside Chats, and other special star-studded events. Westwood Village will showcase films and events among various venues, 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. 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, as well as tribute screenings, outdoor movies, celebrity-filled red carpets, and more. Screenings and special events will be held in Westwood at the following locations: Billy Wilder Theater at the Hammer Museum; the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse; Mann Festival Theatre; Mann Village Theatre; Mann Bruin Theatre; Landmark’s Regent Theatre; Italian Cultural Institute; the Majestic Crest Theatre; W Los Angeles – Westwood; the Wadsworth Theatre; and the Festival Promenade on Broxton Avenue. Additional offsite event screenings will take place at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, Grand Performances at California Plaza, and the Landmark at its new location at the Westside Pavilion.

The Los Angeles Times Ticket and Pass Pavilion – where all festival-goers can purchase tickets and passes to Festival screenings starting Saturday, June 16 – will be located at 1031 Broxton Avenue (at Weyburn). The Target Red Room – filmmaker and press lounge – will be located at 1028 Westwood Boulevard.

The Los Angeles Film Festival is presented by the Los Angeles Times and is supported by Premier Sponsors – Target, Pop Secret®, and Axium International – and by Principal Sponsors – Eastman Kodak Company and OPEN from American Express. Promotional support is provided by Schawk. Special support is 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. The W Hotel – Westwood and the Hotel Angeleno are the official hotel partners of the Festival.

For event information and tickets, call 866.FILM.FEST (866.345.6337) or visit LAFilmFest.com. Passes are available now. Individual tickets go on sale June 8.

ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT
Film Independent is a non-profit membership organization that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds the audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. Anyone passionate about film can become a member, whether you are a filmmaker, film industry leader, or a film lover.

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 also offers free Filmmaker Labs for selected writers, directors, and producers; provides cut-rate services for filmmakers; and presents year-round networking opportunities. Film Independent’s mentorship and job placement program, Project:Involve, pairs emerging culturally-diverse filmmakers with film industry professionals.

Film Independent produces the Los Angeles Film Festival, celebrating the best of American and international cinema, and the Spirit Awards, a celebration honoring films and filmmakers that embody independence and dare to challenge the status quo.

For more information or to become a member, visit FilmIndependent.org

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For media inquiries regarding the 2007 Los Angeles Film Festival, please contact Julie Siegel or Chandan Kaur at 310.432.1200. For more information about the Festival and to view the complete film line-up, please visit LAFilmFest.com