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

2015 LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES GALA SCREENINGS OF THE
TELEVISION SERIES SCREAM AND FEATURE FILM SEOUL SEARCHING

MASTER CLASSES WITH PETE DOCTER
MARYANN BRANDON & MARY JO MARKEY AND MARK ISHAM

BUZZ SECTION LINE-UP ANNOUNCED

LOS ANGELES (April 14, 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 this year’s Gala Screenings, Master Classes and the Buzz section programming. For the first time the Festival will feature a TV Gala with the premiere of the highly anticipated new MTV/Dimension TV series Scream on June 14. On June 17 the Festival will hold a Gala Screening of Benson Lee’s Seoul Searching. Also announced today, Festival Master Classes featuring director Pete Docter, editors Maryann Brandon & Mary Jo Markey and composer Mark Isham. The Buzz section of the Festival was also unveiled.

“Master Classes are an integral part of the LA Film Fest, bringing the best of Film Independent’s one-night-only artist driven events to our audiences,” said Stephanie Allain, Los Angeles Film Festival Director.

“Some movies whisper, Galas are the films that proclaim and are a celebration of the medium,” said Elvis Mitchell, Los Angeles Film Festival Curator. “The Buzz is that uncontainable excitement about something that you have to share with everyone and is exactly what you’ll find in the films in the Buzz section.”

The June 14 Gala Screening of Scream will mark the first time the Festival has presented a television series as one of its signature Galas. MTV and Dimension TV’s Scream is based on the eponymous, international hit horror franchise. After a cyber-bullying incident results in a brutal murder, the shocking violence stirs up memories of a killing spree from the past that has haunted some, intrigued others and maybe just inspired a new killer. A group of teens – with two old friends struggling to reconnect at its heart – become lovers, enemies, suspects, targets and victims of a killer who’s out for blood. Scream stars Willa Fitzgerald as “Emma,” Bex Taylor-Klaus as “Audrey,” Carlson Young as “Brooke,” Amadeus Serafini as “Kieran,” John Karna as “Noah,” Connor Weil as “Will,” Tracy Middendorf as “Maggie” and Jason Wiles as “Sheriff Hudson”. The executive producers on Scream are Bob and Harvey Weinstein, executive producers and show runners Jill Blotevogel (Harper’s Island, Ravenswood) and Jaime Paglia (Arrow), consulting producer John Shiban (Hell on Wheels, Breaking Bad), original script by Jay Beattie and Dan Dworkin (Criminal Minds, The Event and Revenge). Additional Executive Producers are Wes Craven, Tony DiSanto, Liz Gateley, Marianne Maddalena and Cathy Konrad. Scream premieres on Tuesday, June 30 at 10PM ET/PT.

Also in the Gala section will be Seoul Searching, directed by Benson Lee,starring Justin Chon and Jessika Van is a John Hughes inspired romantic teen comedy about a group of high schoolers who go wild in a South Korean government-sponsored propaganda camp in the summer of 1986. The film is scheduled to be released this summer.

The Festival will present a series of Master Classes inviting acclaimed film artists to take part in moderated conversations that delve deeply into the creative process. This year’s Master Classes will include a Master Class in Animation with Pete Docter (Disney•Pixar’s upcoming Inside Out, Up, Monsters, Inc.); a Master Class in Editing with Maryann Brandon and Mary Jo Markey (the upcoming Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, Star Trek Into Darkness); and a Master Class in Composition with Mark Isham (A River Runs Through It, Crash, 42).

Programming for the Buzz section was also unveiled today, with ten films selected. Buzz features LA premieres of celebrated titles from festivals around the world.

BUZZ (10)

Chuck Norris vs Communism, dir. Illinca Calugareanu, UK/Romania/Germany

The Dark Horse, dir.James Napier Robertson,New Zealand

Diary of a Teenage Girl, dir. Marielle Heller, USA

In Football We Trust, dir. Tony Vainuku, USA/American Samoa

Infinitely Polar Bear, dir. Maya Forbes, USA

Manson Family Vacation, dir. J. Davis, USA

The Overnight, dir. Patrick Brice, USA

People, Places, Things, dir. James C. Strouse, USA

Victoria, dir. Sebastian Schipper, Germany

Sweet Micky for President, dir. Ben Patterson, Haiti/USA

Film Independent Members enjoy pass pre-sale benefits and discounts beginning April 14. Passes will be available to the general public on 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 Nights 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 Maria Raquel Bozzi, Director of Event Production Shawn Davis and Director of Event Operations Ralph Rivera.

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 Nights 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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