The 2007 LA Film Festival Finishes With A Ray of SUNSHINE
 June 21, 2007 - July 1, 2007

On July 1st, the 2007 LA Film Festival finished its ten day run with a festive Closing Night celebration in the heart of Westwood Village. After a week chock full of blockbuster premieres, secret screenings, poolside chats and celebrity-lead discussions, the Film Independent produced festival ended on a high note with the glossy premiere of Fox Searchlight's Sunshine and continued whispered buzz about the Target Filmmaker and Documentary Award Winners.

At a special, star-studded private ceremony on June 28, 2007, renowned Actor and Director Clint Eastwood walked away with Film Independent's Spirit of Independence award. Given to individuals demonstrating a strong and determined commitment to artistic independence within the filmmaking process, the award was a perfect and inspiring segue into the presentation of the Target Filmmaker and Documentary Awards

"These films represent the unique vision, independent spirit and outstanding qualities we strive to support and promote at Film Independent," said Executive Director Dawn Hudson. "We are extremely grateful for Target's continuous support of the Festival and these talented artists."

The Narrative Feature Competition jury comprised of Karyn Kusama, Rob Nelson and Tom Quinn gave nothing but high praise to the selected Target Filmmaker Award winner - "Each director of films in this category brought a unique vision and genuine ambition to his or her project. Our award goes to a film whose sustained thematic and visual execution, and whose focus on the human condition - on the responsibility of parents to their children and children to their parents - fulfills its adherence to the traditions of classic world cinema. That film is August Evening."

August Evening revolves around the undocumented farm worker Jamie who, after losing both wife and job, clings fervently to his strong but hesitant daughter-in-law, Lupe. Determined to stick together despite their deteriorating circumstances, the duo lives with each of Jamie's estranged children before slowly realizing that life may be taking them in opposite directions.

Documentary Competition Jurors Patrick Creadon, Rob Epstein and Lisa Schwarzbaum courted controversy in their selection of the Target Documentary Award winner. "The jury awards the Target Documentary Award to Jennifer Venditti for Billy the Kid. Inspired by her extraordinarily guileless young subject and matching his unique adolescent openness with her own artistic integrity in her auspicious filmmaking debut, Venditti finds a graceful documentary voice - patient, respectful, even tender - that perfectly matches the delicate turmoil observed in the life of one disarmingly articulate 15- year-old young man with, as he says, 'issues.'"

Billy the Kid follows the irrepressible and ceaselessly optimistic Billy P. around the streets of his rural hometown in the far recesses of Maine. While the film steers clear of labeling Billy's condition, it is apparent that this teenager has a unique take on life that he has no problem sharing with the world. While some critics feel Venditti exploits Billy's unique vision and personality to her own personal end, the Festival jury evidently saw things differently.

Both Venditti and Eska will receive respective $50,000 cash prizes from Festival Sponsor Target. Within the world of independent filmmaking, there really isn't anything more important than finances. However, the word-of-mouth publicity garnered by the Target Awards given to these two esteemed films has to come pretty close.

For more information on the winners, Closing Night festivities and selected Audience Award winners, visit www.lafilmfest.com.

The 2007 Los Angeles Film Festival 

 HOLLYSHORTS ANNOUNCES OFFICIAL LINEUP FOR 3RD ANNUAL FILM FESTIVAL
 HollyShorts Short Film Fest Takes place August 10-12 in Hollywood, CA

July 3, 2007 Hollywood, CA - The organizers of HollyShorts announced today the official selections for the 3rd annual HollyShorts Film Festival which takes place August 10-12, 2007. The opening night Hollywood premiere of Adrian Grenier's (Entourage) acclaimed short film Euthanasia is presented by h Magazine and will take place at Nacional in Hollywood on Friday, August 10. The film festival itself will take place at Cinespace Digital Superclub August 11-12.

"We are thrilled to be back in Hollywood to showcase 60 of the best and brightest short films from around the globe," said Daniel Sol, HollyShorts Film Festival Director. "This year's festival will feature an action packed schedule of short film screenings, industry panels, networking events and receptions; it's an honor to bring the industry and the next generation of great filmmakers together for three days."

HollyShorts received over 500 submissions for this year's festival. Along with a strong domestic presence, the 3rd annual HollyShorts Film Festival will feature a slew of shorts from the international community, with films from Australia, Brazil, India, Mexico, Romania, Spain and Singapore.

Thirteen selections are in competition in the Best Student Short Film category with projects coming from: AFI, Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, BYU, Columbia University, NYU, Ohio University School of Film, Ringling College of Art and Design in Florida, The School of Visual Arts in New York, Temple University, University of Miami, USC and University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

Two additional short films will be added to the lineup from the Ourstage.com monthly film contest and three additional short films will receive automatic entry from the Si-mi.com@HollyShorts Online Festival which is currently in progress. Advanced tickets are available now and can be purchased by visiting: www.acteva.com/go/hollyshorts. Festival passes are $20 per day. For a limited time only, festival attendees can take advantage of the online exclusive two-day pass for $30. By mentioning IFA at the door, IFA Members can secure a 25% discount off ticket sales.

Officially Selected Short Films of the 2007 HollyShorts Film Festival

Alex Scott: A Stand For Hope
Directed by Larry Mendte
USA ¦ 23:40 ¦ Documentary
Thousands of children may live cancer free one day because Alex Scott lived. Director Larry Mendte shows how a little girl with a dream and a lemonade stand can do amazing things.

Blackbird
Directed by Kirsten Strom
USA ¦ 16:16 ¦ Student: Drama
On a stormy afternoon, Avis dreams of becoming a blackbird.

Dandelion
Directed by Jackie Liao
USA ¦ 5:20 ¦ Student-Animation
Life is just like dandelions. When the wind comes, they leave, but they won't disappear. They are just going to a new place to start a new life...

Dartsville
Directed by Tony West
USA ¦ 22:40 ¦ Comedy
When a young dart prodigy upstages his daddy days before the big tourney, a conflict is born the likes of which Dartsville ain't ever seen.

Der Ostwind
Directed by Kohl Glass
USA ¦ 10:40 ¦ Student: Drama
In search of a worthy opponent, a German WWI ace accepts the challenge of a mysterious and seemingly invincible American pilot, only to discover the true price of honor.

Euthanasia (Official Opening Film)
Directed by Adrian Grenier
USA ¦ 17:00 ¦ Dark Comedy
A coming of age dark comedy, Euthanasia tells the story of Sam and Becky and the unfortunate accident that forces them to grow too quickly and make some hard decisions about life and death.

Fortune Hunter
Directed by Thom Harp
USA ¦ 20:00 ¦ Comedy
When Arthur, a writer at a fortune cookie factory, accidentally sends a love letter for his ex-girlfriend to the printing press, every cookie at every restaurant suddenly reveals a piece of his broken heart.

Freaks of Laughter
Directed by Jim Grollman
USA ¦ 23:00 ¦ Documentary
Life can be serious business in the tougher sections of Los Angeles. Some turn to drugs, others to crime and still others turn to Stand-Up Comedy. Freaks of Laughter tells the story of a few students who turned their life around through the laughter, training and instruction of Cerritos Community College accredited Stand-up Comedy class.

I Hate Musicals
Directed by Stewart Schill
USA ¦ 20:00 ¦ Comedy
A guy hates musicals . . . but finds himself cursed to sing them.

Joseph Henry
Directed by Phil Allocco
USA ¦ 12:30 ¦ Drama
Thoughts are only as real as you think they are.

The Oates' Valor
Directed by Timothy Cahill
USA ¦ 13:30 ¦ Drama
Fourth chair trombonist, Boyson Oates, bends to his father's will and quits the marching band in order to join the high school ROTC squad. After a failed attempt to run away with his neighborhood girlfriend, Boyson rolls the dice at reconciliation with his father.

The Red Balloon
Directed by Michael Olesen
USA ¦ 3:34 ¦ Student: Drama
In this simple story of loss and longing, a young boy enlists the help of a balloon seller to send birthday wishes to his Mom - in the only way he knows how.

Sam and Piccolo
Directed by Adam Walker
USA ¦ 14:53 ¦ Animation
Everything is perfect in the isolated world of two friends . . . until one is overcome by blinding greed.

Sarah & Dee
Directed by Karen Dee Carpenter
USA ¦ 19:47 ¦ Drama
When you're a kid they tell you that you can be anything you want. They lied.

Y Que Cumplas Muchos Mas
Directed by David Alcalde
Spain ¦ 13:00 ¦ Thriller
Horror in the disguise of a social drama with a lot of blood and some birthday cake thrown in!

For a full list of selected films, visit www.hollyshorts.com.

Contact:
John Brooks
HollyShorts, Short Film Festival
Holly Hotline: 818-760-9897
web: www.hollyshorts.com
email: staff@hollyshorts.com
blog: www.hollyshortsfilmfestival.blogspot.com

HollyShorts