2016 LA FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES LINEUP OF FREE SCREENINGS, COFFEE TALKS, UN PANEL AND SPECIAL EVENT FEATURING ZEDD

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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

 

2016 LA FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES LINEUP OF FREE SCREENINGS, COFFEE TALKS,
UN PANEL AND SPECIAL EVENT FEATURING DOCUMENTARY ZEDD TRUE COLORS
AND MULTI-PLATINUM, GRAMMY
® AWARD-WINNING ARTIST ZEDD

LOS ANGELES (May 17, 2016) — Today the LA Film Festival, produced by Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that also produces the Film Independent Spirit Awards, announced a special event featuring multi-platinum selling GRAMMY® award winning artist Zedd and his new documentary Zedd True Colors. Also added to the Festival lineup are the annual Coffee Talks featuring writers, directors, documentarians and screenwriters including Damien Chazelle (Whiplash), Tim Miller (Deadpool), Phil Johnston (Zootopia), Lucy Walker (Waste Land) and Phyllis Nagy (Carol). The Festival will also feature free Community Screenings of Independence Day, Ghostbusters, Shrek and ESPN Films and Eva Longoria’s VERSUS – Sports for Change. The Festival will also host a special event entitled Talk Score To Me that features Project Involve Fellows in conversation with ASCAP Composers about their collaborative process and a screening and panel hosted by the United Nations on sustainable development and freedom of the press. The Festival runs June 1-9, 2016 at the ArcLight Cinemas.

“Come on out. Bring the family to our community screenings, watch Eva Longoria’s short sports documentaries, get inspired by working artists at Coffee Talks, be the first to see the new Zedd documentary or learn about the world through our UN program,” said Festival Director, Stephanie Allain. “You’ll be glad you did.”

 

Special Screening

Zedd True Colors, dir. Susan Bonds, Alex Lieu. World Premiere.

Embark on a journey with multi-platinum, GRAMMY® award winning electronic dance music artist Zedd as he explores new territory on his latest album True Colors. Following the screening is a Q&A with Zedd and filmmakers, then a short acoustic performance with Zedd and special guests. 8:00 pm, June 2 at The Theater at Ace Hotel.

 

Coffee Talks

On Sunday, June 5 the LA Film Festival will hold its annual Coffee Talks. The Festival’s popular series returns with four sessions featuring some of todays most interesting film figures discussing their craft with their peers in fun and freewheeling conversations including directors Damien Chazelle (La La Land, Whiplash), Tim Miller (Deadpool), Lucy Walker (Waste Land) and Patricia Riggen (Miracles from Heaven, The 33); and screenwriters Fede Alvarez (Don’t Breathe, Evil Dead), Phil Johnston (Zootopia, Cedar Rapids) and Phyllis Nagy (Carol, Mrs. Harris). Coffee Talks lead sponsor is Ovation TV. The Directors panel is sponsored by Directors Guild of America, the Actors panel is sponsored by SAGIndie and the Screenwriters panel is sponsored by Writers Guild of America, West.

 

Free Screenings

Ghostbusters, dir. Ivan Reitman

In the 1984 original, a team of underdog scientists lose their cushy positions at a university in New York City, and they set out on their own and become “ghostbusters,” waging a high-tech battle with supernatural spirits taking up residency in NYC. The event takes place on Friday, June 3, 8:00 pm at FIGat7th. Sponsored by Arts Brookfield.

Independence Day, dir. Roland Emmerich

The aliens are coming and their goal is to invade and destroy Earth. Fighting superior technology, mankind’s best weapon is the will to survive. The event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the films’ release takes place on Saturday, June 4, 8:00 pm at FIGat7th. Sponsored by Arts Brookfield. Screening made possible by Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

Shrek, dir. Vicky Johnson, Andrew Adamson

In this classic animated comedy adventure, an ogre is forced to become an unlikely hero to save a group of fairytale creatures.The event celebrating the 15th anniversary of the films’ release takes place on Saturday, June 4, 11:00 am at ArcLight Culver City.

Talk Score To Me: Filmmakers on Collaborating with Composers

Get a sneak preview of the 2016 Project Involve Shorts, and join the conversation between the Project Involve Directing Fellows and the ASCAP Composers about their collaborative process. The event takes place on Monday, June 6 at 6:00 pm at the ArcLight Culver City.

VERSUS – Sports for Change

Versus is a short-film documentary series that explores moments of inspiration, when the world of sports transcended the action on the field. The series is executive produced by Eva Longoria in conjunction with ESPN Films. The event takes place on Tuesday, June 7 at 6:45 pm at the ArcLight Culver City.

 

Special United Nations Event

Screening and Panel

For the fifth consecutive year, the LA Film Festival supports the work of the United Nations by showcasing a new documentary film that grapples with one of the most pressing global issues of the day. This year, following World Press Freedom Day, we will screen a new documentary film about a war photographer that examines the everyday life and the very real risks and challenges that conflict photographers face around the globe. Following the screening will be a conversation with the filmmakers and U.N. representatives as well as a reception. The event takes place on Tuesday, June 7 at 6:00 pm and is sponsored by Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television in participation with the United Nations. Special Work in Progress Screening and UN Panel.

 

PLEASE REFERENCE THE PROGRAMMING ADDENDUM (PDF) 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 artist-driven 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.

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