2008 Malibu International Film Festival

The Malibu International Film Festival, established by Malibu raised director, David Katz, began its ninth annual event on Friday, April 4 at the Malibu High School Theater. The evening started with a welcome from Katz and the screening of “Sliding Liberia†, the first of the weekend’s internationally inspired films introduced by Malibu resident and Consul General of Liberia,  Andrew V. Ippolito. The 2008 festival continued with a host of extraordinarily written, directed, and acted features, documentaries and shorts. One of the highlights being the heavily cast comedic short and festival award winner, “Just One of the Gyno’s†.  Sunday afternoon included the awe inspiring “A Conversation with Dominic Scott Kay†. Kay, an 11 year-old Malibu actor and director spoke to the large group about his experience working with Hollywood’s A-list actors and screened his short films “Saving Angelo†, featuring Kevin Bacon and “Grandpa’s Cabin†, starring Robert Forster. The festival wrapped with a screening of “Strength and Honor†written and directed by Ireland native, Mark Mahon and starring Malibu resident, Michael Madsen. The evening also honored Madsen with the Malibu International Film Festival’s highest honor, the Award for Achievements in the Art of Acting. Comedian Joel McHale hosted the closing night event as awards were presented to the year’s best films. “We would like to take this opportunity to thank our patrons of the arts, sponsors, filmmakers, staff, volunteers and media for making the 2008 Malibu International Film Festival a success.  See you in 2009 for the 10th anniversary of the Malibu International Film Festival,†Katz said.