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FILM INDEPENDENT ANNOUNCES WORLD PREMIERE OF RICHARD LINKLATER’S BERNIE FOR OPENING NIGHT AT 2011 LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL,

PRESENTED BY THE LOS ANGELES TIMES

– Phillip Noyce, Quincy Jones, Roberto Orci, Dustin Lance Black, Allison Anders, Frank Pierson, Robert Ben Garant, Thomas Lennon, and more join Festival programs –

LOS ANGELES (May 23, 2011) – Today the Los Angeles Film Festival, presented by the Los Angeles Times and supported by L.A. LIVE, announced the world premiere of Richard Linklater’s Bernie as the opening night film for the 2011 Festival.  A “Remembering Sidney Lumet” conversation with Quincy Jones and Frank Pierson, as well as additional films and programming for its Festival Talks have also been added.  As previously announced, the 2011 Los Angeles Film Festival will screen a diverse slate of over 200 feature films, shorts, and music videos, representing more than 30 countries.  The Festival is produced by Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that also produces the Spirit Awards.  Artists in Residence and additional talent and programming will be announced in the coming weeks.

Richard Linklater’s Bernie will kick off the Festival on June 16 at Regal Cinemas Stadium 14 L.A. LIVE.  The film is written by Skip Hollandsworth and Linklater, stars Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine and Matthew McConaughey, and is produced and financed by Mandalay Vision and Wind Dancer Films.  Black plays Bernie, the beloved mortician in a small Texas town.  MacLaine is the town’s richest, meanest widow, and even she adores him.  You can’t get anybody to say a bad word about Bernie—even after he commits a very nasty crime.  The film is available for distribution in the United States/Canada, with Graham Taylor of WME and attorney John Sloss handling domestic sales and Hyde Park International handling international sales.

“We’re thrilled to be opening the Festival with the world premiere of this delicious black comedy – a treat from one of the most original and exciting voices in independent film, Richard Linklater,” said Festival Director Rebecca Yeldham.  “With its fabulous all-star cast, Bernie is a perfect stage setter for the incredible line-up of original entertainment we’ve assembled for this year’s Festival.”

In addition to conversations with James Franco and Julie Taymor, the Festival will present “Remembering Sidney Lumet,” a conversation with some of his collaborators, including music impresario Quincy Jones, writer Frank Pierson, and more about the legacy of this remarkable artist and storyteller.

As previously announced, Guillermo del Toro will be this year’s Guest Director and introduce a film that has been an influence to him.  He has chosen to screen a rarely seen Italian film from 1996 called The Arcane Enchanter, written and directed by Pupi Avati.  In Pupi Avati’s neglected gothic masterwork, a seminary student accused of bewitching a young girl feels to a remote castle and the questionable company of a defrocked priest who is rumored to dabble in the black arts.

Additional talent at the Festival include director Phillip Noyce (Salt, The Quiet American), writers Roberto Orci (Cowboys & Aliens, Star Trek), Dustin Lance Black (J. Edgar, Milk), comedians and actor/writers behind the cult comedy TV series The State and Reno 911! Robert Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon, composters Clint Mansell (Black Swan, Moon), Mychael Danna ((500) Days of Summer, Capote) and more.

The Festival will also be holding a variety of conversations on the convergence of film, art and commerce for a weekend series on June 18 and 19 called “Money Talks & Art Matters.”  Panelists include writer/directors Allison Anders and Kurt Voss, filmmakers Patrick Creadon and Javier Fuentes-Léon, FilmDistrict’s Bob & Jeanne Berney, Pandemonium Film’s Bill Mechanic, Landmark Theatre’s Ted Mundorff, CrowdStarter’s Liz Ogilvie, and Participant Media’s Ricky Strauss, with more to be announced.

Returning to downtown Los Angeles, with its central hub at L.A. LIVE, the Festival will run from Thursday, June 16 to Sunday, June 26.  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.

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 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 31.  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 beginning on Monday, June 13 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.  It will top The Los Angeles Times on Sunday, June 12 in Los Angeles and Orange County and be made available throughout downtown during the ten-day event.

ADDITIONAL FILMS & PROGRAMMING

Opening Night: Sponsored by Virgin America

• Bernie, Richard Linklater – WORLD PREMIERE

Conversations:

• Remembering Sidney Lumet

Guest Director Selection:

• The Arcane Enchanter (1996), Pupi Avati – Italy

L.A. Film Critics: The Films That Got Away (2): Hosted by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association.

• Mr. Nobody (2009), Jaco Van Dormael – Belgium/France
• Paper Soldier (2008), Alexey German Jr. – Russia

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 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 and Principal Sponsor Virgin America.  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 Los Angeles Athletic Club is the Official Host Hotel, 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.

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