FRONT PORCH CINEMA: FILM INDEPENDENT AT THE PIER
For Immediate Release
Contact: Alia Quart Khan, Film Independent
Tel: 310.432.1287 or aqkhan@filmindependent.org
Every Friday night, for four weeks—A fantastic film for free!
Los Angeles (September 10, 2013) — The Santa Monica Pier’s Front Porch Cinema series returns for a second year of free community films every Friday for four weeks, starting September 27. This year marks a very special collaboration with the nonprofit arts organization Film Independent.
Associate Director of Programming Doug Jones selected a variety of different films, catering to every kind of film lover.
“Watching movies outdoors under the stars is always fun, and to be able to do it on the historic Santa Monica Pier is especially cool,” said Jones. “It’s a unique experience and a great opportunity to discover some new films and revisit a few classics with Los Angeles and Santa Monica audiences.”
Jay Farrand, Executive Director of the Santa Monica Pier had this to say about the upcoming series, “It’s exciting to have the voice of independent film in LA, Film Independent, curating our selection since they’re known not only for their great taste, but for adding an experiential element to enhance each screening. Complemented by our partnership with LA’s outdoor cinema kingpins EAT|SEE|HEAR, this is shaping up to be a great series.”
Kicking off the series on September 27 is the Los Angeles Premiere of festival favorite Los Wild Ones. For over ten years, Reb Kennedy has run Los Angeles-based Wild Records as a celebration of a raw and lively ’50s-style rock ‘n’ roll and rockabilly sound. This documentary, filled with great music and large personalities, follows Kennedy and his extended family of young, talented Latino musicians as they face an uncertain future for the label they all love. The evening will also feature live musical performance by the Rhythm Shakers.
On October 4, make your way down to the Pier for the 40th anniversary screening of Hollywood comedy caper The Sting, starring Robert Redford and Paul Newman as two con men who hatch a complicated scheme to take a crooked banker for everything he’s worth. Winner of seven Academy Awards ®, including Best Picture. Watch for a cameo appearance by the Santa Monica Carousel! The evening will also feature a live ragtime pianist and card tables.
Shift gears on October 11 for the Pier’s first ever “Doggie Drive-In” with a screening of the award-winning animated film Snoopy Come Home! Bring out the whole family, especially your four-legged friends, for a special pet friendly screening featuring Snoopy, Woodstock, Charlie Brown and the whole Peanuts gang. The soundtrack is by the prolific Sherman Brothers (Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Jungle Book and Charlotte’s Web). Doggie treats and water will provided. A Donation Drive will also be held at this event for Best Friends Animal Society Los Angeles.
Closing out the series on October 18 is the critically acclaimed, award-winning environmental documentary Chasing Ice. Photographer James Balog took time-lapse cameras to the Arctic to film the world’s changing glaciers. His hauntingly beautiful videos capture ancient mountains of ice in motion as they disappear at a breathtaking rate in this portrait of a man trying to deliver evidence and hope to our carbon-powered planet. Chasing Ice is the story of one man’s mission to change the tide of history by gathering undeniable evidence of our changing planet. Watch these breathtaking visuals of the brutal Arctic environment, all from the comfort of your beach chair.
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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 Santa Monica Pier Corporation
The Santa Monica Pier Corporation (SMPC) is a non-profit, public benefit corporation dedicated to preserving and enhancing the Santa Monica Pier experience for all visitors. For more information, visit www.santamonicapier.org
About Eat|See|Hear
Eat|See|Hear (www.eatseehear.com) is LA’s premier outdoor movie, food truck and live music series that brings an evening of fun to Los Angeles-area venues each summer. The annual event features up and coming bands from the local music scene, the hottest food trucks and the only three-story high, 52-foot wide inflatable movie screen west of the Mississippi with the highest quality HD-projection and digital surround sound, the Eat|See|Hear series promises an enjoyable movie-going experience for everyone. Eat|See|Hear is produced through a collaboration between LA-based Trailhead Marketing, Inc. and Hollywood Outdoor Movies.