JURORS ANNOUNCED FOR 2011 LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL,

PRESENTED BY LOS ANGELES TIMES

LOS ANGELES (June 15, 2011) – Today the Los Angeles Film Festival, presented by the Los Angeles Times and supported by L.A. LIVE, announced its jurors for the 2011 Festival.  The Los Angeles Film Festival will run from Thursday, June 16 to Sunday, June 26 in downtown Los Angeles.

The narrative jury consists of director Lynn Shelton (Humpday, My Effortless Brilliance), Head/Founder of Giant Robot Eric Nakamura, and screenwriter Daniel Waters (Heathers, Batman Returns).  The documentary jury is comprised of Spirit Award-winning director Jeff Malmberg (Marwencol), Executive Director of the International Documentary Association Michael Lumpkin, and Co-editor of Slake magazine Laurie Ochoa.  Casting director Margery Simkin, film critic Alonso Duralde, and actress Lisa Gay Hamilton round out the shorts jury.

“Our jurors this year are a wonderfully creative, diverse, and talented group.  What unites them is their singular passion for movies,” said Festival Artistic Director David Ansen.

Unrestricted cash awards are given out in the following categories: Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature ($15,000), Jury Award for Best Documentary Feature ($15,000), Best Animated or Experimental Short ($5,000), Best Documentary Short ($5,000), and Best Narrative Short ($5,000).  The jury also hands out an award for Best Outstanding Performance in a Narrative Feature. The Audience Awards, which are chosen based on ballots submitted by Festival audiences, are presented in the following categories: Narrative Feature, Documentary Feature, International Feature, Short Film and Music Video.  The Los Angeles Film Festival is a qualifying festival in all categories for the Film Independent Spirit Awards, and for the Narrative and Animated Short Film categories of the Academy Awards®.

The competition and audience award winners will be announced at the Awards Brunch, hosted Dove® Hair Care and held at CHAYA Downtown on Sunday, June 26.  Allison Janney and John C. Reilly will be presenting the awards.

Now in its seventeenth year, the Festival is recognized as a world-class event, showcasing the best in new American and international cinema and providing the movie-loving public with access to critically acclaimed filmmakers, film industry professionals, and emerging talent from around the world.  As previously announced, the 2011 Los Angeles Film Festival will screen over 200 feature films, shorts, and music videos, representing more than 30 countries.

Passes to attend the Festival are currently available to the general public, with special rates for Film Independent members.  In addition to screenings and events, Festival passes provide access to a series of networking receptions and entry to the Jameson Filmmaker Lounge, where Festival pass holders can interact with Festival filmmakers and professionals in the film community.  Contact the Ticket Office for passes, tickets and event information by calling 866.FILM.FEST (866.345-6337) or visit LAFilmFest.com.  Festival passes and tickets can also be purchased in person starting today at the Coca-Cola Ticket Center, located in the Festival Village on the rooftop of the West Parking Garage at L.A. LIVE’s Event Deck.  The Official Film Guide, the comprehensive source for all movie info, screenings, locations, and related events is produced by the Los Angeles Times, and will be made available throughout downtown during the ten-day event.

ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL

Now in its seventeenth year, the Los Angeles Film Festival, presented by 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, Ford Amphitheater Outdoor Screenings, Poolside Chats, Coffee Talks and more.  Additionally, the Festival screens short films created by high school students and has a special section devoted to music videos.

Over 200 features, shorts, and music videos, representing more than 30 countries, make up the main body of the Festival.

The Los Angeles Film Festival is presented by the Los Angeles Times and is supported by L.A. LIVE and Premier Sponsor Pechanga Resort & Casino, Principal Sponsor Virgin America and Platinum sponsors Kodak, Stella Artois, Melrose MAC, Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14, Dove® Hair Care, Volkswagen, Jameson Irish Whiskey®, Deluxe Entertainment Services Group and EFILM.  Special support is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Department of Cultural Affairs, UCLA Latin American Institute, and the University of Guadalajara Foundation.  The Official Screening Venue is Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14.  Stella Artois is the Official Beer, Jameson Irish Whiskey® is the Official Spirit, and World Wine HeadQuarters is the official wine purveyor.  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 LAFilmFest.com

ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT

Film Independent is a 501 (c)(3) 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 are 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 leader, or film lover.

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 offers free Filmmaker Labs for selected writers, directors, and producers; provides cut-rate services for filmmakers; and presents year-round networking opportunities. Film Independent’s mentorship and job placement program, Project:Involve, pairs emerging culturally diverse filmmakers with film industry professionals.

Film Independent produces the Los Angeles Film Festival, celebrating the best of American and international cinema, and the Spirit Awards, a celebration honoring films and filmmakers that embody independence and dare to challenge the status quo.

For more information or to become a member, visit FilmIndependent.org.

ABOUT L.A. LIVE

Developed by AEG, L.A. LIVE is a 5.9 million square foot / $2.5 billion downtown Los Angeles sports, residential & entertainment district adjacent to STAPLES Center and the Los Angeles Convention Center featuring the recently opened 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 and JW Marriott hotels and 224 luxury condominiums – The Ritz Carlton Residences at L.A. LIVE – all in a single tower) , the state-of-the-art Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14 theatres, “broadcast” facilities for ESPN, a 100,000 square foot special events deck, the one-of-a-kind GRAMMY Museum®, saluting the history of music and the genre’s best know awards show all centered around Nokia Plaza L.A. LIVE, a 40,000 square foot outdoor event space, twelve signature restaurants along with entertainment, residential 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 8 million unique latimes.com visitors monthly and a combined print and online local weekly audience of 4.5 million. The Pulitzer Prize-winning Times has been covering Southern California for more than 129 years. The Los Angeles Times Media Group businesses and affiliates also include The Envelope, Times Community Newspapers, LA, Los Angeles Times Magazine, Brand X, 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 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.