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VIRGIN AMERICA IS PREMIER SPONSOR OF
2012 LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL,
PRESENTED BY FILM INDEPENDENT
Kodak, Stella Artois, Melrose MAC, Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, Deluxe Entertainment Services Group and EFILM, HBO®, Volkswagen of America, Canon U.S.A., Nokia and Dolby Laboratories, Inc.are Platinum Sponsors
LOS ANGELES (June 13, 2012) – Today the Los Angeles Film Festival, presented by Film Independent and Host Venue Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14 announced its sponsors for the 2012 Festival. The Los Angeles Film Festival will run from Thursday, June 14 to Sunday, June 24 in downtown Los Angeles.The Presenting Media Sponsor is the Los Angeles Times, 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, HBO, Volkswagen of America, Canon U.S.A., 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. Stella Artois is the official beer, Jameson® Irish Whiskey is the official spirit, vitaminwater is the official water and E&J Gallo Winery 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.
Now in its eighteenth 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 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival will screen a diverse slate of nearly 200 feature films, shorts, and music videos, representing more than 30 countries, along with signature programs such as the Filmmaker Retreat, Poolside Chats, Coffee Talks, music events and more.
Passes and tickets 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. Contact the Ticket Office for passes, tickets and event information by calling 866.FILM.FEST (866.345.6337) or visit LAFilmFest.com.
The Los Angeles Times, continuing its commitment to and support of all aspects of entertainment, returns for its fifth year as the Los Angeles Film Festival’s presenting media sponsor and will once again produce the official Festival Film Guide, the comprehensive source for all movie info, screenings, locations and related special events. The Guide will be available throughout the Festival Village during the Festival.
Through a wide-ranging partnership with AEG, a majority of the screenings will take place at Regal Cinemas L.A. Live Stadium 14. Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14 is a state-of-the-art theatre with digital projection in all 14 auditoriums.The Regal Premiere House at L.A. LIVE is a premium environment which seats 800 guests and features a 70-foot-wide screen. Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC) is the largest motion picture exhibitor in the United States. The Company's theatre circuit, comprising Regal Cinemas, United Artists Theatres and Edwards Theatres, operates 6,739 screens in 545 locations in 38 states and the District of Columbia. Regal operates theatres in 43 of the top 50 U.S. designated market areas. In the Los Angeles market Regal Entertainment Group operates 50 theatres with 629 screens.
As the only California-based airline and with an unrivaled in-flight entertainment film and content library, Virgin America has become the airline of choice for film lovers across North America. Virgin America will help this year’s festival goers arrive entertained and in style as the official airline. Virgin America offers beautifully designed mood–lit cabins, standard power outlets near every seat and Red™ — the largest and most advanced personal touch–screen entertainment platform in the skies. For more on Virgin America, visit: This year, Virgin America - in partnership with Virgin Produced (the entertainment arm of the Virgin Group), Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia, teamed up to create an independent short film, Departure Date, shot in 20 hours, across three continents and on three commercial flights on all three airlines while at 35,000 feet – a first for a short film. An exclusive screening of the film at Regal Cinemas at L.A. LIVE served as the official kick-off for Film Independent’s 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival. To view the trailer go to
Platinum Sponsor Kodak returns with its signature program at the Festival, Kodak Focus.This year’s Kodak Focus will be an intimate conversation with Oscar-winning cinematographer Wally Pfister (ASC, BSC), who will showcase scenes from three of his films—Insomnia, Laurel Canyon and Inception. Audiences will gain insight into Pfister's artistic and technical choices for creating award winning cinematography.
Stella Artois returns as the Official Beer Sponsor of the Los Angeles Film Festival.Proud to support the spirit of independent film, Stella Artois is involved in a variety of film industry programming and has a longstanding commitment to those whoentertain audiences around the world.
Building on the excitement of last year’s sponsorship, Volkswagen of America will return as the LA Film Festival’s official automotive partner in 2012 with two of the brand’s most exciting products, the fuel efficient Passat TDI® Clean Diesel and iconic Beetle. The 2012 Passat – engineered in Germany, born in the U.S.A – continues to receive praise with sales of VW’s flagship sedan continuing to grow. Named the 2012 Motor Trend Car of the Year, the Passat has a starting price of $20,590 and comes equipped with a long list of premium features, best-in-class rear legroom, and uncompromising performance. The Passat TDI® Clean Diesel features class-leading EPA estimated 43 miles-per-gallon on the highway and nearly 800 miles of driving range on a single tank of fuel. The 2012 Beetle offers a modern interpretation of the classic design with no-compromise German engineering and a sporty new attitude. With a starting price of $19,795, the Beetle continues to resonate with consumers and features three well-equipped trims including a new TDI® Clean Diesel model capable of up to an EPA estimated 39 miles-per-gallon on the highway. For more information about the entire Volkswagen line up, or to find your local dealer, please visit
Nokia and its amazing new Lumia family are excited to join the 2012 L.A. Film Festival. The Nokia Lumia devices will be featured in the Filmmaker Lounge from June 15th through the 23rd, guests will have a chance to win a new device by playing movie trivia and checking-in to Nokia LAFF in the Filmmaker Lounge on Foursquare. Stop by for more details and, check-out the Nokia Lumia 710 and 900 here -
Jameson® Irish Whiskey is delighted to be part of the 2012 LA Film Festival as a Platinum Sponsor. During the Festival, a selection of Jameson drinks will be served at Festival events and in the Filmmaker Lounge.Located at the Festival Village on the Event Deck at 1005 Chick Hearn Court, the Lounge will be the center of activity for Festival events and parties, and will serve as the Festival’s official hospitality area. The Filmmaker Lounge is open to passholders from 3:00 pm to 12:00 am, June 15 – June 23, with a hosted bar from 6:00 pm nightly. For tasty cocktail recipes and more information, visit
The Los Angeles Athletic Club is pleased to partner with the Los Angeles Film Festival, for the second year in a row, as the 2012 Official Host Hotel! When the historic LosAngeles Athletic Club first opened its doors in downtown Los Angeles in 1880, itset the standard for a private membership club and athletic facility. Today, with a multi-million dollar hotel renovation, the new Hotel at The Los Angeles Athletic Club (LAAC) has unveiled 72 renovated urban chic hotel rooms withnine distinctively themed suites.Each room features custom-made furnishings, luxurious bedding, Roman shades, flat screen televisions, wireless internet and original art from the club’s historical vault. A stay at the historic hotel provides the ultimate amenity; an 80,000 square foot fitness facility including spa, business center and dining in the club’s restaurants. The LAAC now offers a short-term Olive Club Membership—a new rewards program granting guests access to the hotel, banquet facilities and 80,000 square-foot fitness facilities.
Canon U.S.A., Inc. is pleased to partner with Film Independent to bring an exciting new slate of programming to the 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival. Canon invites festival goers to explore the company's line of Cinema EOS products at the Filmmaker Lounge, including touch-and-try demonstrations of the acclaimed Cinema EOS C300, EOS 5D Mark III, and new 4K Cinema EOS C500 and EOS-1D C cameras. The experience will culminate in the much-anticipated event "Canon Celebrates Cinematographers," where established and emerging industry professionals will convene to honor the art of cinematography. On Sunday, June 17, 2012, Canon, along with co-sponsor HBO, will host the annual Fellow and Industry Mixer at Katsuya. Canon will also offer a unique screening and panel discussion on Saturday, June 23, 2012 with some of the key creative and technical minds behind "when you find me"-a short film from Ron and Bryce Dallas Howard presented by Canon's Project Imagin8ion. For more information, visit
The Montana Film Office, The Hollywood Reporter and The Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles will co-sponsor the Filmmaker Reception at the Ritz-Carlton Residences 42nd Floor.
This year, the Los Angeles Film Festival will hold its tenth annual Filmmaker Retreat at Skywalker Ranch in Marin County, California. Skywalker Ranch is the home of Skywalker Sound, one of the world's leading audio recording and post-production facilities. This year, George Lucas will welcome Festival filmmakers, Film Independent staff, established artists from our filmmaking community, and Special Guest Director Edgar Wright for two days of off-the-record conversations, relaxation, great food, and good fun. Unique to the Los Angeles Film Festival, the Filmmaker Retreat gives participants the incredible opportunity to reunite with old friends and develop new relationships with other artists from around the world. The retreat is made possible by Skywalker Sound and sponsored by Deluxe Entertainment Services Group with EFILM®, a Deluxe company, Dolby Laboratories, Inc. and Virgin America.
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 and IRIS from Cirque du Soleil®.
“The Sound of Stories,” sponsored by Dolby Laboratories, will bring together filmmakers, sound designers, technology innovators and industry experts to speak about what’s involved in achieving the ultimate immersive sound. Carolyn Giardina (Contributing Editor, Tech, The Hollywood Reporter) will be moderating and panelists include Will Files – Skywalker Sound, Eric Brevig – Director (The Legend of William Tell, Yogi Bear) and Stuart Bowling – Dolby Laboratories, Inc.
FOCUS FORWARD -Short Films, Big Ideas, a partnership between GE and Cinelan, is a new series of 30 three-minute films about innovative people who are reshaping the world through act or invention, directed by the world’s most celebrated documentary filmmakers. FOCUS FORWARD will world premiere four short films at the 2012 LA Film Fest: Robot (Dir. Liz Garbus), Good Bread (Dir. Eddie Schmidt), New Gift (Dir. Supriyo Sen), and Remote Area Medical (Dir. Jeff Reichert & Farihah Zaman), all screening in the official program. The FOCUS FORWARD initiative is giving away$200,000 USDin cash prizes to the top five three-minute entries in the Filmmaker Challenge, with $100,000 going to the Grand Prize Winner.Submissionsclose August 23rd, 2012. Visit more information.
Join us for Women of Wonder – A Celebration of Women in Animation, on Sunday, June 17 from 2:30-5:00 pm as we honor 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 and 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 and InStyle Magazine.
Festival Coffee Talk sponsors are BMI, Directors Guild of America, SAGIndie/Screen Actors Guild, and Writers Guild of America, West.
Café Latino, sponsored by HBO, brings together the filmmakers of Latin American films at the LA Film Fest on June 17, and explores their roles as storytellers in an increasingly global world. Join moderator Reed Johnson (Arts and Culture Reporter, Los Angeles Times), Everardo González (director, Drought), José Alvarez (writer/director, Canícula), Dominga Sotomayor (writer/director, Thursday till Sunday), Bernardo Ruiz (director, El Reportero), and Alejandro Brugues (writer/director, Juan of the Dead) for this free discussion, as they compare notes about their filmmaking experiences in Argentina, Chile, Cuba and Mexico. HOY is sponsoring Café Latino films All Is Well, Thursday Till Sunday and The Compass Is Carried By The Dead Man.
Talk Score To Me: Emerging Filmmakers on Collaborating with Composers, sponsored by ASCAP, will bring together Film Independent’s Project Involve Fellows for a screening and discussion about the collaboration between directors and composers, and their experience in the inaugural ASCAP/Project Involve Composers Workshop. Panelists include Project Involve Fellows Erin Li, Mason Richards, Susana Casares and Aaron Celious, and ASCAP composers Dan Mufson, Robert Allaire, Kevin Teasley and Sarah Schachner.
The Poolside Rant, sponsored by the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE brings together some of Los Angeles’ most interesting people to discuss their passion for cinema, the city, and everything in between, at our spectacular new location at the JW Marriott Los Angeles ION Rooftop Pool Bar overlooking the downtown skyline.
The Los Angeles Film Festival is offering seven screenings free to the public. The Free Community Screenings are supported by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. Two of the free screenings will be held outdoors and hosted by Arts Brookfield at FIGat7th Plaza, including Steven Spielberg’s E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial and Nicholas Meyer’s Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Dirty Dancing Dance-A-Long, produced in partnership with Grand Performances and Dance Camera West, will take place at the California Plaza. The Free Community Screening of LUV, by Film Independent Fellow Sheldon Candis, is presented by Film Independent’s signature diversity program, Project Involve. Project Involve is supported by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, Hollywood Foreign Press Association, HBO, Sony Pictures, Time Warner Foundation and Wildfire Post Production Services. Additional support is provided by ASCAP, Cal Humanities and Color Space Finishing. The Project Involve Shorts Screening at the Festival will be followed by a panel discussion sponsored by Cal Humanities.
Located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, the newest CHAYA combines urban chic and European sensibility with Japanese hospitality. CHAYA Downtown features a lively bar, lounge, and sushi bar that sit off the main dining room and look out into the large garden patio. CHAYA Downtown is proud to return as sponsor and host of the Los Angeles Film Fest Awards Brunch for a third year and offer its delectable cuisine to filmmakers and VIPs.