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

Gina Lang, Ginsberg/Libby
Tel: 323.645.6800 or gina.lang@ginsberglibby.com

 

FILM INDEPENDENT AND LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCE SPECIAL PRE-FESTIVAL SCREENINGS
OF DREAMWORKS ANIMATION’S HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 IN 3D
AND COLUMBIA PICTURES/METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER PICTURES’ 22 JUMP STREET

FESTIVAL PROGRAMMING TO INCLUDE
MASTER CLASS ON COSTUME DESIGN WITH
ARIANNE PHILLIPS & JAMES MANGOLD

MASTER CLASS ON PRODUCTION DESIGN WITH
K.K. BARRETT & JEANNINE OPPEWALL

Music in Film at The GRAMMY Museum®, Festival Conversation
with Michael Connelly & The Black List Live! A Staged Reading Announced

  

LOS ANGELES (May 13, 2014) – Today the Los Angeles Film Festival, presented by Film Independent, in conjunction with Presenting Media Sponsor the Los Angeles Times and Host Partner L.A. LIVE, announced Special Pre-Festival screenings of Dreamworks Animation’s How To Train Your Dragon 2 on June 9 and Columbia Pictures/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures’ 22 Jump Street on June 10. Starting May 14, Festival pass holders will have the exclusive opportunity to purchase tickets to these screenings ahead of the general public on-sale via the Festival website. The Festival also unveiled new programming, including Love Letters to Los Angeles: Michael Connelly and two additional master classes to be presented with the support of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences: Re-Imagining L.A.: Production Design with K.K. Barrett and Jeannine Oppewall and Costume Builds Character: Costume Design with Arianne Phillips and James Mangold. In addition, announced today are two of the Festival’s Music and Film at the Grammy Museum® events, Intersection: Music & Film and the Frank Morgan Tribute. For more information on ticketing for both screenings, as well as attending programmed events, please visit www.lafilmfest.com.

“I’m so excited our Special Pre-Festival screenings are How To Train Your Dragon 2 and 22 Jump Street!” said Stephanie Allain, Festival Director. “All events are open to the public so don’t miss artists at the top of their fields discuss craft – Arianne Phillips and James Mangold, K.K. Barrett and Jeannine Oppewall, Atticus Ross, Michael Connelly, Key and Peele. It’s all here for you, L.A. Come on out.”

The Special Pre-Festival 3D screening of writer/director Dean DeBlois’ How To Train Your Dragon 2 takes place June 9 at 7:30 pm and stars Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, T.J. Miller, Kristen Wiig, Djimon Hounsou, and Kit Harington. The thrilling second chapter of the epic How To Train Your Dragon trilogy returns to the fantastical world of the heroic Viking Hiccup and his faithful dragon Toothless.  The inseparable duo must protect the peace–and save the future of men and dragons from the power-hungry Drago. The film is produced by Bonnie Arnold. Dreamworks Animation will release the film on June 13.

The Special Pre-Festival screening of directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s 22 Jump Street will take place on June 10 at 7:30 pm.  In 22 Jump Street, after making their way through high school (twice), big changes are in store for officers Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) when they go deep undercover at a local college. But when Jenko meets a kindred spirit on the football team and Schmidt infiltrates the bohemian art major scene, they begin to question their partnership.  Now they don’t have to just crack the case–they have to figure out if they can have a mature relationship.  If these two overgrown adolescents can grow from freshmen into real men, college might be the best thing that ever happened to them.  Directed by Phil Lord & Christopher Miller.  Screenplay by Michael Bacall and Oren Uziel and Rodney Rothman, from a story by Michael Bacall & Jonah Hill, based on the television series “21 Jump Street” created by Patrick Hasburgh & Stephen J. Cannell.  The film is produced by Neal H. Moritz, Jonah Hill, and Channing Tatum. The film, from Columbia Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, will be released on June 13.

Also announced today are two additions to the Festival’s Master Class series. Re-Imagining L.A.: Production Design with K.K. Barrett and Jeannine Oppewall takes place on June 14 at 3:00 pm. Oscar^® nominated production designers KK Barrett (HER) and Jeannine Oppewall (L.A. Confidential) will reveal how they created distinct images of Los Angeles for the screen, projecting iconic visions of our city into the world. The Master Class will be moderated by Mary Sweeney, producer/editor, Mulholland Drive.

On June 17 at 7:30 pm, the Festival will hold Costume Builds Character: Costume Design with Arianne Phillips and James Mangold, curated by Sophie de Rakoff. Esteemed costume designer Arianne Phillips has garnered two Oscar^® nominations for her work in Madonna’s W.E. and James Mangold’s Walk The Line. Phillips will be joined by director James Mangold, to discuss their long-time collaboration to bring to life memorable characters in films such as Walk the Line, Girl Interrupted and 3:10 to Yuma. The Master Class will be moderated by Elvis Mitchell, Curator, Film Independent at LACMA.  Previously announced Master Classes include Music in Film: A Sound Journey with Atticus Ross, which will take place on June 12 at 7:00 pm. Special support is provided by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the entire Master Class series.

Music in Film at The GRAMMY Museum® is a signature program of the Los Angeles Film Festival and this year features two exciting programs. On June 14 at 3:00 pm Intersection:  Music & Film, curated by Tracy McKnight, showcases an afternoon of music featuring actress Jena Malone (Into the Wild, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Sucker Punch) and Lem Jay Ignacio’s improvisational music project, The Shoe. The Frank Morgan Tribute is a jam session that pays tribute to alto sax legend Frank Morgan, whose hell-and-back career from prodigy to heroin addict, con man and San Quentin convict to his inspirational comeback as a jazz icon is the focus of documentary The Sound of Redemption. The evening will feature jazz greats George Cables, piano; Ron Carter, bass; Mark Gross, alto sax; Grace Kelly, alto sax; Roy McCurdy, drums. The event takes place on June 15 at 3:00 pm.

Announced as part of the Festival Conversations series, Love Letters to Los Angeles: Michael Connelly is a conversation with writer and author Michael Connelly about his work creating quintessential Los Angeles novels. Connelly will also reveal some of his cinematic inspirations      and talk about his upcoming television series Bosch. The event takes place on June 16 at 8:00 pm.

A first time event taking place at the Festival this year is The Black List Live! A Staged Reading. The Festival is teaming up with The Black List to program a staged reading of an unproduced Black List script. Join us for this one night only reading of Stephany Folsom’s 1969: A Space Odyssey, or How Kubrick Learned to Stop Worrying and Land on the Moon about a White House public affairs assistant who convinces Stanley Kubrick to fake the moon landing, just in case something goes wrong during that one small step. The event will take place on June 14 at 7:00 pm at the Los Angeles Theater.

This also marks the Festival’s first time joining forces with Funny Or Die to host a mash-up comedy showcase celebrating diverse, unique and authentic voices in the comedy world. Funny or Die’s Make ’em LAFF Showcase includes a mix of comedy videos and stand-up performances from comedians such as Kumail Nanjiani (Silicon Valley, Portlandia) and Jerrod Carmichael (Lucas Bros Moving Co), with additional performers to be announced. The winner of the Funny or Die Make ’em LAFF competition will have their next video produced by Funny Or Die and receive a talent hold deal with a cash grant presented by Fox Audience Strategy.

The 2014 Los Angeles Film Festival, which returns to downtown Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE for a fifth year and runs from Wednesday, June 11 to Thursday, June 19, will screen a diverse slate of nearly 200 feature films, shorts and music videos, representing more than 40 countries, along with signature programs such as the Filmmaker Retreat, Music in Film at The GRAMMY Museum^® at L.A. LIVE, Master Classes, LA Muse and more. Opening the Festival will be the North American premiere of Bong Joon-ho’s Snowpiercer and closing the Festival will be the Premiere of Clint Eastwood’s Jersey Boys.  Visit www.lafilmfest.com for the most up-to-date schedule of films and programming.

Previously announced; filmmaker Lisa Cholodenko to serve as this year’s Guest Director for the festival and Sony Pictures Classics’ Tom Bernard and Michael Barker to receive the Spirit of Independence Award. Also announced earlier, free Community Screenings including Dance-A-Long screening of Luis Valdez’s La Bamba, Dave LaMattina and Chad Walker’s I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story, Buster Keaton’s Cops and Sherlock Jr., and Thomas Miller’s Limited Partnership.

More Special Screenings and Programs will be announced in the coming weeks.

Passes are currently on sale to Film Independent members and the general public. In addition to screenings and events, Festival passes provide access to a series of networking receptions and entry to the Filmmaker 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 beginning May 20.  Contact the Ticket Office for passes, tickets and event information by calling 866.FILM.FEST (866.345.6337) or visit LAFilmFest.com.

For the ninth year, the Los Angeles Times will serve as the Festival’s Presenting Media Sponsor and will produce the Festival Guide, the comprehensive source for all movie info, screenings, locations and related special events. The Film Guide will top the paper on Sunday, June 8 in Los Angeles and Orange County, and will be made available throughout downtown Los Angeles during the nine-day event.

For media and publicist credentials please visit the Press & Media section of www.lafilmfest.com/festival-info/press/ and fill out the application.  Deadline is May 16.

 

ADDITIONAL FILMS & PROGRAMMING

Special Pre-Festival Screening:

• How To Train Your Dragon 2 – June 9
• 22 Jump Street – June 10 

 

Programming:

• Intersection:  Music & Film – June 14
• Re-Imagining LA: Production Design with K.K. Barrett and Jeannine Oppewall  – June 14
• Costume Builds Character: Costume Design with Arianne Phillips and James Mangold  – June 15
• Frank Morgan Tribute – June 15
• Love Letters to Los Angeles: Michael Connelly  – June 16

Additional Events

• The Black List Live! A Staged Reading – June 14

 

PLEASE REFERENCE THE ADDENDUM FOR ALL FILM TITLES, SYNOPSES, CAST, AND CREDITS FOR ALL FEATURE FILMS.

 

ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL
Now in its 20th year, the Los Angeles Film Festival, presented by Film Independent, showcases diversity, innovation and uniqueness of vision in new American and international cinema, and provides the movie-loving public with one-of-a-kind events featuring critically acclaimed filmmakers, film industry professionals, and emerging talent from 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, LA Muse and more. Over 200 features, shorts, and music videos, representing more than 40 countries, make up the main body of the Festival.  The Festival also screens short films created by high school students and a special section devoted to music videos. The Festival hosts juried cash awards for best narrative and documentary features, best narrative, documentary and animated short film, and a jury award for best performance in the narrative competition. Audience awards are presented to best documentary, narrative and international feature, short film and music video. 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. Subaru is the Official Automotive Sponsor. Relativity is a Principal Sponsor. Platinum Sponsors include HBO, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Stella Artois Dolby Laboratories, Inc., Canon U.S.A., Inc. and EFILM. The University Sponsor is Loyola Marymount University. Renwood Winery is the Official Wine Provider. Tanqueray is the Official Gin Provider. The Los Angeles Athletic Club is the Official Host Hotel. WireImage is the Official Photography Agency and PR Newswire is the Official Breaking News Service of Film Independent. 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 Los Angeles Times is the largest metropolitan daily newspaper in the country, with a daily readership of 1.5 million and 2.6 million on Sunday, more than 22 million unique latimes.com visitors monthly and a combined print and online local weekly audience of 4 million. The Pulitzer Prize-winning Times has been covering Southern California for more than 132 years.

The Los Angeles Times Media Group (LATMG) businesses and affiliates also include The Envelope, Times Community News, and Hoy Los Angeles, which, combined with the flagship Los Angeles Times, reach approximately 5.2 million or 38% of all adults in the Southern California marketplace. LATMG also owns California Community News, LLC, operates Tribune Direct LA, and is part of Tribune Company, one of the country’s leading media companies with businesses in publishing, the Internet and broadcasting. Additional information is available at latimes.com/aboutus.

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 http://www.lalive.com.

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