The third annual Backlot Film Festival opens a four-day run on Wednesday at the Vets Auditorium, featuring 14 premieres in the feature film, documentary and shorts categories.
Additional programming focus on screen tributes to Hollywood legends Arthur Freed and Carl Reiner.
The Backlot Film Festival will honor the writer/director/actor/producer Mr. Reiner with the Thomas Ince Award for outstanding work in the film industry, while screening his features, “The Comic” and “All Of Me,” and two of his favorite episodes from the television series “The Dick Van Dyke Show.”
The award is named for the pioneer producer of early filmmaking who
introduced production procedures and quality of standards that set the model
and helped mold the distinct image of Hollywood films to this day. Previous
Ince award honorees includethe journalist/producer Daniel M. Selznick (“Gone
With the Wind: The Making Of A Legend”) and writer/producer Budd Schulberg
(“On The Waterfront” and “A Face In The Crowd”).
The festival is also establishing the Arthur Freed Award for Best Student
Film named in honor of the legendary songwriter and producer, and screening
his films, “DuBarry Was A Lady,” “Cabin In the Sky” and “Gigi.”
Mr. Freed’s grandson, Stephen A. Saltzman, president of Arthur Freed Productions, will present the award, with an emphasis on family entertainment, to the winning feature or documentary. Additionally, Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky will be honored with a “Founders Award” for his support of the
motion picture industry and contributions to the arts.
Tickets for screenings are $5 and $3 for students and seniors. All event
passes are $100 and $50 for students and seniors. Weekday passes are $25, and $15 for students and seniors. Saturday passes are $50 and $25 for students
and seniors. VIP Reception tickets are $250. For additional information
and ticket information log on to www.backlotfilmfestival.com or call
310.398.0646.
Here is the complete screening schedule:
Wednesday
12 noon — “DuBarry Was Lady” – Arthur Freed Tribute Film, a musical
comedy starring Red Skelton, Lucille Ball and Gene Kelly.
2 o’clock — “Chekhov and Maria,” a world premiere. The drama focuses on the Russian playwright and his sister who are at odds over his secret marriage as he struggles to complete his masterpiece, “The Cherry Orchard.” Based on the critically acclaimed play. Starring Ron Battitta and Gillian Brashear.
Produced by John Stark, directed by Eric Till, written by Jovanka Bach.
4 o’clock — “Roses of April,” a world premiere. The Native American drama explores the intense bonds of a family’s relationship, slowly being undermined by the government when a young girl decides to become an astronaut. Starring Carolina Hoyos, John DiVito, Norman Hall and Anita Poirer. Produced, written and directed by Claudia Damasceno.
7 o’clock — “Yesterday Was Lie”, a West Coast premiere. Secrets of the universe are revealed as a woman searches for the truth that
lies within the human heart in this sci-fi film noir. Starring Kipleigh Brown, Chase Masterson, John Newton and Mik Scriba. Produced by Chase Masterson, written and directed by James Kerwin.
9 o’clock — “InAlienable,” a world premiere. Guilt ridden over the death of his family, a man discovers his body is host to a parasite from another world that the government believes is a threat to mankind. Starring Richard Hatch, Courtney Peldon and Walter Koenig. Directed by Robert Dyke, written by Walter Koenig.
Thursday
12 noon — “Lawrence Bridges’ 12,” showing in Iksan/Yanji Screening Room.
Two illegitimate off-springs of Zeus must perform a play, flawless for his
amusement, in order to save themselves and their home in this comedy.
Starring Alison Elliot, Tony Griffin, Alan Lulu and Brenda Varda.
2 o’clock — “Castaways of ATA,” United States premiere. The Australian documentary, which has become a famous folktale, follows the lives of five men from Tonga who re-unite 40 years later to re-tell their tale of survival on a tiny Pacific island. Produced, written and directed by Steve Bowman.
3 o’clock — Students Short Film Competition — “A Slice of Trouble,” “Dandelion,” Express Lane,” “Rib,” The Romanovs’ Last Photograph” and “The Winer.”
4 o’clock — “La Cucina.” Promises and frustrations unfold during the dinner hour as the lives of apartment neighbors intertwine in this romantic dramedy.
Starring Christina Hendrix, Joaquim de Almeida and Rachel Hunter.
Directed by Allison R. Hebble and Zed Starkovich. Written by A.W. Gryphon.
7 o’clock — “Lady Magdelene’s” — Los Angeles premiere. The suspense comedy follows a disgraced IRS agent, managing a brothel in Nevada, who uncovers a terrorist plot to destroy the Hoover Dam. Introduced and starring Nichelle Nichols, Ethan Keogh and Susan Smythe. Produced, written and directed by J. Neil Schuman. Q & A to follow the screening.
9 o’clock —“Cabin In The Sky” – Arthur Freed Tribute Film. One of Hollywood’s first all-black musicals marks the directing debut of Vincente Minnelli. Starring Ethel Waters, Eddie (Rochester) Anderson, Lena Horne, Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. Introduced by Nichelle Nichols who was discovered and sang with Ellington, while still in her teens.
Friday
12 noon — “Muse Of Fire,” a documentary based on the book “Operation Homecoming: Iraq, Afghanistan and the Home Front in the World, or U.S. Troops and Their Families,” sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, includes readings by Kevin Costner, Edward Parker Gyokeres and writer Jack Lewis. Q & A with filmmaker Lawrence Bridges will follow the screening. Proceeds will benefit the Los Angeles Veterans Artistic Alliance.
2 o’clock — Special presentation, “Debriefing,” a project produced by Los Angeles Area Veterans Artists Alliance. A Q & A with Artist Director Keith Jefferies will follow the screening, with proceeds benefiting the Los Angeles Veterans Artistic Alliance.
3 o’clock — “O.J. Is Guilty – But Not of Murder,” the overlooked suspect.
Los Angeles premiere. A documentary by private investigator and author William C. Dear that exposes new evidence on one of America’s most controversial murder trials. Executive Produced by William C. Dear, produced by John McCready. Q & A to follow the screening.
6 o’clock — Carl Reiner Tribute: Two episodes from “The Dick Van Dyke Show”,
“Coast to Coast Bigmouth” and “The Life and Love of Joe Coogan.”
7 o’clock — “The Comic,” –Carl Reiner Tribute Film. Dick Van Dyke, Michelle Lee and Mickey Rooney star in the trials and tribulations of silent screen comic Billy Bright.
9 o’clock — “All of Me,” Carl Reiner Tribute Film. Steve Martin and Lily Tomlin star in this romp as a dying millionaire inadvertently becomes trapped in her lawyer’s body.
Saturday
10 o’clock — “In Search of the Second Amendment.” The documentary explores the history of the American right to arms and how it impacts our lives in the 21st century. Produced and directed by David T. Hardy.
12 noon — “Truce Hurts,” a Tom and Jerry cartoon. An Arthur Freed Tribute Film.
“Gigi,” 50th anniversary celebration. The multiple Academy Award winning Lerner and Loewe musical, set in Paris, is directed by Vincente Minnelli and stars Leslie Caron, Maurice Chevalier, Louis Jourdan and Hermione Gingold.
3 o’clock — “The Train Master.” World premiere. In the family film, a retired train master must save his grandson, his former boss’s son and three other children careening on a runaway train. Starring Jonathan Hall, Michael Biesanz, Mercedes Rose, Elijah Nelson. Written and directed by Phil Bransom.
6 o’clock — VIP reception and gala for Mr. Reiner.
7 o’clock — Festival Awards ceremony and honorees, headlined by Mr. Reiner, Mr. Yaroslavsky.
Iskan/Yanki Screening Room
Wednesday
2 to 4 o’clock, lecture.
6 to 10 o’clock — Student Films, Shorts Program
“A Slice of Trouble,” a film by Denis Bosnjakovic. A local pizza delivery driver unwittingly gets himself into a jam, thanks to his slacker pal’s chicanery.
This film includes some adult content. West Orange High School.
“Dandelion,” an animated film by Jackie Liao. A grandfather’s wisdom, about the evolutionary cycle of a dandelion reverberates in the heart
of his granddaughter, who struggles to accept his passing.
School: School of Visual Arts.
“Express Lane,” directed by Drewin B. Young. A musician and a store clerk have a misguided romance.
“Rib,” a film by Drewin Young. With a little help from fate, a chauvinistic male ego rears its ugly head, only to be slammed back to reality by a seemingly helpless female.
“The Romanovs’ Last Photograph,” a film by Catherine King. This character study of the Romanov sisters in the final hours before their execution shows the girls sharing their hopes, fears and aspirations as they live their lives in the constant dread of being caught on the wrong side of the Russian Revolution.
School: Notre Dame Academy
“The Winer,” a film by Madison Conroy. This silent short explores who’s in control…the drunk or the drink? Only the wine can tell.
School: Culver City High School.
Shorts Program No. 1
“Tag,” produced by Stephanie Bell. Written and directed by Matt Duggan
A simple game of tag is destroying Shane Wayne’s life. Will he escape or be
the next one on the “it” list?
“Oenophelia”, a film by Kathleen Gibson. A seductive encounter between two bottles of wine.
“A Real Doozy,” world premiere. Office parties and alcohol never mix. Unfortunately for Chris, a young ad executive, his co-workers remember more of last night’s party much better than he does.
“Pencil Fighting,” executive produced by Andrew Negrin, Franco Interian and Paula Jiminez. Directed by Fro Rojas. Four pencil fighters reunite to bring honor to their fallen comrade.
“A Day In The Life,” world premiere. Produced by Shelly Gant. Directed by Trevor Boelter. What really happens to you and your friends when you don’t forward those annoying chain mail emails to ten of your best pals.
Shorts Program No. 3
“Medicinal,” executive produced and directed by Dan Frank. The educational documentary explores the truth about medicinal marijuana and
how licensed clinics and the DEA have been at spending thousands of
taxpayers dollars defending California’s controversial initiative.
“Waiting For Rain,” a documentary film by Edward James Anderson.
Lewis Lopez is a dying man with schizophrenia. His last wish is to return to
his homeland, Puerto Rico, where he searches for a piece of himself that he
left behind.
“Why Shakespeare?” Produced by Jan Wieringa. Directed by Lawrence Bridges
An inspirational documentary that illustrates how involvement with
Shakespeare and live theater can change young peoples’ lives in a positive
way. Starring Chiwetal Ejiofor, Tom Hanks and Martin Sheen.
Thursday
Shorts Program No. 2
6 to 10 o’clock.
“Robbie’s Withdrawl,” world premiere. Produced by Stephanie Bell. Written and directed by John Burish. Today could be everything Robbie has been dreaming about…a baby, Marcus and a wonderful future. But Marcus causes Robbie to rethink her plans and now…anything is possible.
“See Jane Dance,” produced and directed by Mona Nash. A suburban housewife, trapped in the tedium of daily life, enrolls in a Brazilian dance class that restores her sense of self and changes her outlook on life.
“Sundowner,” produced by John Frost. Written and directed by Nomi Kim.
A Korean immigrant and his American friend share their guilt, friendship
and homesickness over the death of his wife.
“Manejar,” produced by Shelly Gant and Mona Nash. Directed by Shelly Gant. Written by Shelly Gant and Stephanie Little. Julia and Jeff are planning to join friends in Mexico for a birthday party. But when Jeff backs out, Julia decides to go by herself. A flat tire takes her life in a whole new direction.
Shorts Program No. 4
“Death’s A Bitch,” a film by Bjorn Jonasson. Most people don’t appreciate life until they are staring death in the face. Contemplating suicide, a spirit appears in the form of a woman…sometimes death really can be a bitch.
“The Jester,” world premiere. Directed by Christopher Hartman.
The truth comes out as friends unite after a near fatal car collision,
leaving one of them with psychic abilities who pushes everyone’s buttons,
putting everyone on edge. This film has adult content, language and nudity.
“Locked Out.” Produced by Joe Bring. Directed and written by Derek Milton
An evil spirit threatens the life of a woman. Will her boyfriend be able to
save her before she succumbs to its power?
“Nighthawk.” Produced by Brad Carr and Robert Marquiss. Directed by Brad Carr. In the future, the Red Army is on the far side of the moon and the Black
Army is underground on earth. A defector has fallen for a girl from the
wrong side. Will he succeed in taking over the throne? Or will he be
betrayed?
“Seeing the Enemy,” a film by Justin Serulneck. A recollection of memory torments an Iraq War veteran, who chases his past for the truth.
Shorts Program No. 5
“The Eye of Dan,” a world premiere. Worlds collide when guerilla filmmaker Dan Jensen captures the on and off-screen antics of the cast and crew of the longest running soap opera in the history of public access television.
“Better Never Than Late,” written and directed by Kenn Scott. Local thugs threaten the livelihood of a small-time pizza delivery shop and a mysterious young man must step in to meet the challenge. An action comedy
with a kick and extra cheese.
“Dear Mom,” written and directed by Kenn Scott. When a private detective turns to the internet, he finds a lot more than he was looking for.
“Trade,” world premiere. Running time: 14:36 minutes. Produced by Stephanie Bell and Mona Nash. Directed by Karni Baghdikian. Sometimes desperation overrides emotion and people make poor choices. Such is the case for a young bond trader who thinks he’s on the fast track to success.
Friday
2 to 4 o’clock — A lecture by author/film historian Marc Wanamaker. He will discuss his new book, “Old Hollywood.”
Shorts Program Replay
6 to 10 o’clock — Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
