The 2008 Los Angeles Film Festival, held from June 19 to 29, will screen more than 230 feature films, shorts and music videos. This year, the festival received more than 4,500 submissions by filmmakers from around the world. Held annually in Westwood Village, the Film Independent’s L.A. Film Festival will feature the best of American and international cinema, shorts, documentaries, music videos, coffee talks, poolside chats and special star-studded events.
Universal Pictures’ Wanted, from director Timur Bekmambetov, will kick off the festival as the opening night film on Thursday, June 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mann Village Theatre. Wanted stars include James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman, Terence Stamp, Thomas Kretschmann, Common and Angelina Jolie.
Hellboy II: The Golden Army, from writer and director Guillermo del Toro, will close this year’s festival on Saturday, June 28 at 6:00 p.m. The film stars Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones, Jeffrey Tambor and John Hurt. With an exciting blend of action, humor and character-based spectacle, the saga of the world’s toughest, kitten-loving hero from hell continues to unfold, giving us a vision of imagination from the Oscar-nominated director.
The festival will also feature Sacha Gervasi’s critically acclaimed documentary Anvil! The Story of Anvil, which will screen as the 2008 centerpiece premiere on Thursday, June 26 at 8:30 p.m. at the Ford Amphitheatre. The outdoor film premiere will include live musical performances and special guests. The film features Steven “Lips†Kudlow and Rob Reiner.
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.
For more information, visit www.filmindependent.org or www.lafilmfest.com
