FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Alia Quart Khan, Film Independent
Tel: 310.432.1287 or aqkhan@filmindependent.org

Contact: Gina Pence, Ginsberg/Libby
Tel: 323.645.6800 or gina.pence@ginsberglibby.com

 

LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES PROGRAMMING FOR LA MUSE
AND NEW FESTIVAL SECTIONS ZEITGEIST AND NIGHTFALL

LOS ANGELES (April 21, 2015) – Today the Los Angeles Film Festival, produced by Film Independent with Presenting Media Sponsor the Los Angeles Times and Host Partner L.A. LIVE, announced the addition of two new sections for the 2015 Festival, Zeitgeist and Nightfall. The programming for the LA Muse section was also announced today. Passes are now on sale to the general public. The Los Angeles Film Festival runs June 10 through June 18 and the full Festival line up will be announced on May 5.

“Under the leadership of Roya Rastegar and Jennifer Cochis, the programmers have assembled a slate of films that embody Film Independent’s mission of diversity, innovation and uniqueness of vision with a special emphasis on world premieres, first time directors and, of course, films inspired by Los Angeles,” said Elvis Mitchell, Film Independent Curator.

“Zeitgeist is a curated section of bold films that captures a vital picture of independent storytelling today,” said Roya Rastegar, Associate Director of Programming and Curated Content. “As programmers, we see key trends emerge in the thousands of films we watch every year. Stylish and defiant, the films in our inaugural Zeitgeist lineup are structured around a pivotal juncture in the lives of young people, after which there is no going back.”

Zeitgeist (6)

Zeitgeist is a competitive section of six curated films that embody key trends. 2015 captures hard knock, coming of age stories.

• Band of Robbers, dir. Aaron Nee & Adam Nee, USA, World Premiere
• A Girl Like Grace, dir. Ty Hodges, USA, World Premiere
• In the Treetops, dir. Matthew Brown, USA, World Premiere
• Manifest Destiny, dir. Michael Dwyer, Kaitlin McLaughlin, USA, World Premiere
• Stealing Cars, dir. Bradley Kaplan, USA, World Premiere
• What Lola Wants, dir. Rupert Glasson, USA, World Premiere

 

Jennifer Cochis, Senior Programmer had this to say about the Nightfall section: “We created Nightfall to celebrate films that will make audiences squirm. Ranging from the creepy to the sinister, homages to 80s and 90s era horror, psychodramas and waking nightmares.”

Nightfall (8)

From the bizarre to the horrifying, these are films to watch after dark. Films premiering for the first time in the U.S. are nominated for the Nightfall Award. 

• Caught, dir. Maggie Kiley, USA, World Premiere
• The Confines, dir. Eytan Rockaway, USA, World Premiere
• Crumbs, dir. Miguel Llansó, Spain/Ethiopia/Finland, North American Premiere
• Crush the Skull, dir. Viet Nguyen, USA, World Premiere
• Dude Bro Party Massacre III, dir. Tomm Jacobsen, Michael Rousselet, Jon Salmon, USA, World Premiere
• Plan Sexenal, dir. Santiago Cendejas, Mexico, North American Premiere
• Ratter, dir. Branden Kramer, USA, LA Premiere
• Shut In, dir. Adam Schindler, USA, World Premiere

 

Back for its second year, LA Muse is a competitive section of curated, independent films that are quintessentially Los Angeles. Films that premiered in last year’s LA Muse played to sold out crowds and six titles found distribution after their world premieres at LA Film Fest.

“LA is one of the most creative cities in the world –it’s where stars and rebels are born,” said Rastegar. “From Inglewood to Laurel Canyon, Venice Beach to Little Armenia, the films in the LA Muse section feature the triumphs and tribulations of ballet dancers, Hollywood actresses and improv comedians, alongside long legacies of social justice organizing and community activism. Whether inspired by Chicana lawyers spearheading a reproductive justice movement, or a renegade gardener leading a food revolution in South Central, these films showcase our city’s vibrant communities and its tenacious people.”

The 2015 LA Muse line up consists of three documentaries and seven fiction films; five films are by first time directors. All the films are having their world premiere at the Festival.

LA Muse (10)

The LA Muse section is comprised of films made by talented emerging filmmakers that are set, shot or inspired by Los Angeles.

• Aram, Aram, dir. Christopher Chambers, USA, World Premiere
• A Beautiful Now, dir. Daniela Amavia, USA, World Premiere
• Can You Dig This, dir. Delila Vallot, USA, World Premiere
• Day Out of Days, dir. Zoe R. Cassavetes, USA, World Premiere
• The Drew: No Excuse, Just Produce, dir. Baron Davis, Chad Gordon, USA, World Premiere
• The Escort, dir. Will Slocombe, USA, World Premiere
• Flock of Dudes, dir. Bob Castrone, USA, World Premiere
• French Dirty, dir. Wade Allain-Marcus & Jesse Allain-Marcus, USA, World Premiere
• No Más Bebés, dir. Renee Tajima-Peña, USA, World Premiere
• Weepah Way for Now, dir. Stephen Ringer, USA, World Premiere

 

View/download 2015 Los Angeles Film Festival Programming Addendum (PDF)

 

Passes are available to the general public as of today, Tuesday, April 21. The full line-up will be announced on Tuesday, May 5. In addition to access to screenings and events (even after they sell out), Festival passes provide access to a series of networking receptions and entry to the Festival Lounge, where Festival pass holders can 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 14 and to the general public beginning Tuesday, May 19. Contact the Ticket Office for passes, tickets and event information by calling 866.FILM.FEST (866.345.6337) or visit lafilmfest.com.

Now in its 21st year, the Los Angeles Film Festival offers unparalleled access to creative voices through energetic film programming, master classes, live performances and conversations with the most compelling artists working today. The 2015 Los Angeles Film Festival will screen a diverse slate of feature films, shorts, web series and music videos, along with signature programs such as the Filmmaker Retreat, Music in Film at The GRAMMY Museum® and Master Classes.

The Los Angeles Film Festival team is comprised of Festival Director Stephanie Allain, Film Independent Curator Elvis Mitchell, Associate Director of Programming Roya Rastegar, Senior Programmer Jennifer Cochis, Programmers Jenn Wilson and Drea Clark, Head Shorts Programmer Landon Zakheim, Festival Consultant Maggie Mackay, Manager of Industry Relations Mel Jones, Senior Director of Film Education María Raquel Bozzi, Director of Event Production Shawn Davis and Director of Event Operations Ralph Rivera.  In addition, the Festival’s Associate Feature Film Programmers include Julie Anderson, Christine Davila, Samuel Douek, Steven Jacobson, Lee Jameson, Mark Maynard, Lucy Mukerjee-Brown, Stephanie Owens, Ray Price and So Yun Um; and Short Film Programmers Ernesto Foronda, Carlos Hatcher, Meghan McWilliams, Atsuko Okatsuka, Paul Sbrizzi, Cedar Sherber and Jacques Thelemaque.

 

Online & Social Media:

www.lafilmfest.com. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/LAFilmFest and Twitter @LAFilmFest. Official event hashtag: #LAFilmFest.

 

ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL
The Los Angeles 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 our City of Angels and around the world. The Festival’s signature programs include the Filmmaker Retreat, Music in Film at The GRAMMY Museum®, 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 and a special section devoted to expanded storytelling across the web, TV and gaming. The Los Angeles Film Festival is presented in conjunction with Presenting Media Sponsor the Los Angeles Times. The Official Host Venue is Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14. The Premier Sponsor is BMW North America and the Principal Sponsor is Jaeger-LeCoultre. Platinum Sponsors include American Airlines, Dolby Laboratories, Inc., and EFILM | Company 3. The University Sponsor is Loyola Marymount University’s School of Film and Television. Peroni Nastro Azzurro is the Official Beer Sponsor. Sauza 901 Tequila is the Official Spirits Sponsor. The Los Angeles Athletic Club is the Official Host Hotel. WireImage is the Official Photography Agency. More information can be found at lafilmfest.com.

 

ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT
Film Independent is a non-profit arts 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 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 artist-driven films and recognizing the finest achievements of American independent filmmakers. Film Independent also produces the Los Angeles 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 THE LOS ANGELES TIMES
The Pulitzer Prize-winning Los Angeles Times is the largest metropolitan daily newspaper in the country and has been covering California for more than 133 years.

 

ABOUT L.A. LIVE
L.A. LIVE is a 4 million square foot / $3 billion downtown Los Angeles sports and entertainment district adjacent to STAPLES Center and the Los Angeles Convention Center featuring Club Nokia, a 2,300 capacity live music venue, Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE, a 7,100-seat live theatre, a 54-story, 1001-room convention “headquarters” destination (featuring The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles and JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE hotels and 224 luxury condominiums – The Ritz-Carlton Residences at L.A. LIVE – all in a single tower), The GRAMMY Museum ®, the 14-screen Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14 theatre, broadcast facilities for ESPN along with entertainment, residential, restaurant and office space. Developed by Los Angeles-based AEG, L.A. LIVE, considered to be the nation’s most active ‘live content and event campus,’ also features 260,480 sf of conference center and ballroom facilities, a 100,000 sf special events deck, the famous Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge, the celebrity owned Conga Room, a one-of-a-kind GRAMMY Museum ®, saluting the history of music and the genre’s best known awards show all centered around Nokia Plaza L.A. LIVE, a 40,000 sf outdoor event space. L.A. LIVE showcases more events, award shows, sporting competitions, concerts and hospitality options than any other destination in the world. Visit L.A. LIVE today at www.lalive.com.

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