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

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

 

FILM INDEPENDENT ANNOUNCES WEST COAST PREMIERE OF
LAURA POITRAS’ CITIZENFOUR FOR ITS LACMA FILM SERIES

LOS ANGELES, CA (September 24, 2014) – Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization that produces the Film Independent Spirit Awards and the Los Angeles Film Festival, announced today the West Coast premiere of CITIZENFOUR, a film about NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden by Academy Award® and Spirit Award-nominated director Laura Poitras. The film will screen as part of the Film Independent at LACMA Film Series.This exciting event will be held on Tuesday, October 14 at the Bing Theatre, and is co-presented by the New York Times Film Club. The film will be released theatrically on October 24, by RADiUS in association with Participant Media and HBO Documentary Films.

“We are thrilled and honored to be hosting the West Coast premiere of CITIZENFOUR,” said Film Independent President Josh Welsh. “Laura is one of the most courageous and gifted filmmakers working today. The film is ingeniously crafted playing out like a real life thriller unlike anything seen before in the history of movies. Anyone who cares about the issues of government surveillance and national security in the post 9/11 era won’t want to miss it.”

“I’m thrilled to have been offered the opportunity to present the West Coast Premiere of CITIZENFOUR,” stated Elvis Mitchell. “It will get people talking, which is its aim.”

In January 2013, filmmaker Laura Poitras was several years into making a film about surveillance in the post-9/11 era when she started receiving encrypted e-mails from someone identifying himself as “citizen four,” who was ready to blow the whistle on the massive covert surveillance programs run by the NSA and other intelligence agencies.  In June 2013, she and Greenwald flew to Hong Kong for the first of many meetings with the man who turned out to be Edward Snowden. She brought her camera with her. The film that resulted from this series of tense encounters is absolutely one-of-a-kind in the history of cinema: a 100% real-life thriller unfolding minute by minute before our eyes. Poitras will be in attendance for a Q&A after the screening.

Poitras, a 2012 MacArthur Fellow, has received numerous accolades for her work including Spirit Award and Academy Award® nominations for her documentary, MY COUNTRY, MY COUNTRY and a 2013 George Polk Award for national security reporting related to the NSA disclosures. The NSA reporting by Poitras, Glenn Greenwald, Ewen MacAskill and Barton Gellman contributed to the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service awarded jointly to The Guardian and The Washington Post.

Film Independent at LACMA, presented by The New York Times, offers unique film experiences, bringing together Film Independent’s large community of filmmakers and wide spectrum of audiences with LACMA’s commitment to presenting cinema in an artistic and historical context. The program presents classic and contemporary narrative and documentary films, artists and their influences, emerging auteurs, international showcases, special guest–curated programs, and conversations with artists, curators, and special guests. Film Independent at LACMA is under the curatorial leadership of Film Independent’s year-round curator Elvis Mitchell.

 

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 www.FilmIndependent.org.

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