FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Elise Freimuth, Film Independent
Tel: 310.432.1287 or efreimuth@filmindependent.org

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

FILM INDEPENDENT ANNOUNCES WILLIAM FRIEDKIN AS GUEST DIRECTOR

FOR 2012 LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL

– Danny Elfman, Michael Voltaggio & Raphael Saadiq to Serve as Artists in Residence –

– Conversations & Screenings Added –

LOS ANGELES (May 15, 2012) – Today the Los Angeles Film Festival, in conjunction with Presenting Media Sponsor the Los Angeles Times and Host Partner L.A. LIVE, announced Academy Award-winning director William Friedkin as Guest Director for the 2012 Festival. Legendary musician and composer Danny Elfman, award-winning Los Angeles chef Michael Voltaggio and Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and record producer Raphael Saadiq will be the Artists in Residence. Intimate conversations will be held with filmmakers and talent from AMC’s acclaimed Breaking Bad, HBO’s long anticipated series The Newsroom, which includes a screening of the premiere episode, and a series of panels on Women of Wonder – A Celebration of Women in Animation. Additional films screening at the Festival include a Film Independent members-only screening of The Do-Deca-Pentathlon, the North American Premiere of The King of Pigs in the Beyond section, Easy Money in the International Showcase section and Question Bridge: Black Males in the Free Community Screenings section. There will also be an Exclusive Sneak Preview held on June 17, so follow us @LAFilmFest on Twitter for clues and additional details. The LA Film Festival Keynote Speaker, Coffee Talks, Poolside Rant and additional panels will be announced later this month.

“Los Angeles is the center of entertainment, so it’s befitting that the LA Film Fest is hosting a broad spectrum of talent across all disciplines. We look forward to sharing screenings, conversations, music events and surprises with everyone this summer!” said Festival Director Stephanie Allain.

In his role as Guest Director, Friedkin will be screening his latest film Killer Joe at LACMA’s Bing Theater on Friday, June 15 at 7:30 pm, preceded by an onstage interview. The film follows 22-year-old Chris (Emile Hirsch) in debt to a drug lord and he must hire a hit man to dispatch his mother, whose $50,000 life insurance policy benefits his sister Dottie (Juno Temple). Chris finds Joe Cooper (Matthew McConaughey), a creepy, crazy Dallas cop who moonlights as a contract killer. When Chris can’t pay Joe upfront, Joe sets his sight on Dottie as collateral for the job. An iconoclastic filmmaker with a fiercely independent spirit, William Friedkin has bravely forged his own path through the American cinema of the past forty years. Hollywood is still reeling from Friedkin’s one-two punch of The French Connection and The Exorcist, two films that heralded a new era of filmmaking. Raw and visceral, with an authenticity that cannot be denied, Friedkin’s movies—including The Boys in the Band, Sorcerer, To Live and Die in L.A., and Cruising—are bold, exciting works that have frequently courted controversy, only to go on to become contemporary classics.  LD Entertainment will release Killer Joe on July 27.

As an Artist in Residence, Danny Elfman will present hand-picked film clips featuring his favorite scores on Saturday, June 16 at 8:00 pm. He’ll discuss how the medium’s music has shaped him into one of today’s most celebrated film composers. The award-winning composer has always had a particular affinity for connecting with directors with distinctive points of view, such as Sam Raimi, Caroline Thompson, Gus Van Sant, Peter Jackson, Ang Lee and, of course, Tim Burton, starting with the director’s feature debut, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, and extending to his latest, Dark Shadows. The evening is sponsored by Regal Entertainment Group.

Michael Voltaggio will present a screening of Bob Giraldi’s Dinner Rush (2000) on June 20 at 7:50 pm, followed by a conversation. After his award-winning tenure as Chef de Cuisine for The Bazaar by José Andrés, Chef Michael Voltaggio went on to become a household name after winning the sixth season of Bravo’s reality cooking show Top Chef. From there, Voltaggio opened his immensely popular and highly praised restaurant ink. in West Hollywood, which was named “best new restaurant in America” by GQ Magazine this year.

Raphael Saadiq will present a screening of his choice on Friday, June 15 at 7:30 pm. followed by a conversation with KCRW’s Chris Douridas. Recently lauded as one of the 100 most influential people in the world by TIME Magazine, the Grammy Award-winning Saadiq is one of today’s most highly regarded recording artists. Since his early days with the groundbreaking soul trios Tony! Toni! Toné! and Lucy Pearl, he has carried the torch for old school-futuristic R&B.

Currently gearing up for its final 16 episodes, AMC’s Breaking Bad has boldly and relentlessly tested the boundaries of television, developing an antihero never before seen. In his portrayal of anxiety-ridden, recession-burdened provider Walter White, Emmy Award-winning actor Bryan Cranston skillfully evokes a man’s riveting, complex descent from good to bad. Join Cranston, Aaron Paul and Anna Gunn with series creator Vince Gilligan on Saturday, June 16 at 5:30 pm as they discuss how a show about a high school chem teacher wit ha mobile meth lab in the New Mexico desert has evolved into what many consider the best hour on television.

On the eve of Aaron Sorkin’s long-anticipated HBO series The Newsroom, join the Festival on Friday, June 22 at 8:00 pm for an exclusive screening of the series premiere episode and a dialogue with Sorkin, executive producer Alan Poul and director Greg Mottola. The three men will discuss what it took to develop the show, assemble the amazing cast, which includes Jeff Daniels, Emily Mortimer and Sam Waterson, and bring their behind-the-scenes look at the intricacies of the fast-paced 24-hour cable news world to air.

This year, the Los Angeles Film Festival shines the spotlight on the contributions of women to the world of animation. At Women of Wonder – A Celebration of Women in Animation, join us on Sunday, June 17 from 2:30-5:00 pm for an afternoon celebrating women’s accomplishments in this field, examine the broader challenges for women in the industry and explore the models that better cultivate and draw on the talents of women as film artists, producers executives. Panelists include Kristine Belson (Executive Producer of Dreamworks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon), Karen Rupert Toliver (Twentieth Century Fox Animation’s VP of Production), Katharine Sarafian (Producer of Pixar’s Brave), Michelle Murdocca (Producer of Sony Pictures Animation’s Hotel Transylvania) and more to be announced. The event is sponsored by the Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television and includes a luncheon hosted by FOX Audience Strategy.

Returning to downtown Los Angeles and headquartered at L.A. LIVE for a third year, the Festival will run from Thursday, June 14 to Sunday, June 24. Now in its eighteenth year, the Festival is widely recognized as a world-class event, showcasing the best in new American and international cinema, and is produced by Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that also produces the Spirit Awards.

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 29. Contact the Ticket Office for passes, tickets and event information by calling 866.FILM.FEST (866.345.6337) or visit LAFilmFest.com.

For the seventh year, the Los Angeles Times will serve as the Festival’s Presenting Media Sponsor and will once again produce the Official Film Guide, the comprehensive source for all movie info, screenings, locations and related special events. The Film Guide will top the paper on Sunday, June 10 in Los Angeles and Orange County, and will be made available throughout downtown Los Angeles during the ten-day event.

ADDITIONAL FILMS & PROGRAMMING

Guest Director Film:

• Killer Joe, William Friedkin

Artists in Residence Selections:

• Dinner Rush (2000), Bob Giraldi

Members-Only Screening:

• The Do-Deca-Pentathlon, Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass

The Beyond:

• The King of Pigs, Yuen Sang-ho – South Korea – NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

International Showcase:

• Easy Money, Daniél Espinosa – Sweden (Weinstein Company)

Free Community Screening:

• Question Bridge: Black Males, Hank Willis Thomas, Chris Johnson, Bayeté Ross Smith, Kamal Sinclair

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

ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL

Now in its eighteenth year, the Los Angeles Film Festival, supported by L.A. LIVE and The Los Angeles Times, is widely recognized as a world-class event, showcasing the best in new American and international cinema and providing the movie-loving public with access to some of the most critically acclaimed filmmakers, film industry professionals, and emerging talent from around the world.

The Festival features unique signature programs including the Filmmaker Retreat, Poolside Chats, Coffee Talks, Music Events and more.  Additionally, the Festival screens short films created by high school students and has a special section devoted to music videos. Nearly 200 features, shorts, and music videos, representing more than 30 countries, make up the main body of the Festival.

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 also 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 and Host Partner L.A. LIVE, Premier and Opening Night Sponsor Virgin America and Platinum sponsors Kodak, Stella Artois, Melrose MAC, Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, Deluxe Entertainment Services Group and EFILM, Nokia and Dolby Laboratories, Inc. Special support is provided by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and FOCUS FORWARD – a partnership between GE and CINELAN. The Official Screening Venue is Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14. The Los Angeles Athletic Club is the Official Host Hotel and Virgin America is the Official Airline Partner. WireImage is the Official Photography Agency and PR Newswire is the Official Breaking News Service of Film Independent.

More information can be found at www.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 L.A. LIVE
L.A. LIVE is a 4 million square foot / $2.5 billion downtown Los Angeles sports & 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.

Visit L.A. LIVE today at www.lalive.com

ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES TIMES

The Los Angeles Times is the largest metropolitan daily newspaper in the country, with a daily readership of 1.9 million and 2.9 million on Sunday, more than 17 million unique latimes.com visitors monthly and a combined print and online local weekly audience of 4.4 million. The Pulitzer Prize-winning Times has been covering Southern California for more than 130 years.

The Los Angeles Times Media Group (LATMG) businesses and affiliates also include The Envelope, Times Community News, LA, Los Angeles Times Magazine and Hoy Los Angeles which, combined with the flagship Los Angeles Times, reach approximately 5.1 million or 38% of all adults in the Southern California marketplace. LATMG also owns and operates California Community News as well as Tribune Direct’s west coast division 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 http://latimes.com/aboutus.

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