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PRESS ROOM
NEXT YEAR’S INTERNATIONAL FAMILY FILM FESTIVAL
WILL BE HELD FEBRUARY 26–MARCH 1, 2009!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, March 10, 2008
Contact: Yvonne Farrow
yfarrow@iffilmfest.org
818.679.7673
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Villa Media Productions Juan Francisco Villa (626) 893-0536 Conchita Nora Villa (626) 485-2582
"ALONDRA SMILES" Best International Feature Film Winner at the Heart of England International Film Festival
Link to Trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxUVBqlQLGs or www.alondrasmiles.com
England, June 2008 - The family feature "Alondra Smiles" was a top winner at the Heart of England International Film Festival, giving the movie its third festival recognition so far this year.
The Academy of Media, Recording, Interactive, Television & Stage Arts (AMRITSA) and the festival's special selection committee of seasoned filmmakers and representatives from The Prem Group Ltd. honored "Alondra Smiles" with
Best International Feature Film.
"I'm very thankful to God for having a great cast, crew and the never ending support of family and friends," said Conchita Nora Villa, director of the film, upon receiving the recognition at the awards ceremony.
"Alondra Smiles" also garnered the top prize, the Directors Gold Award, at the International Family Film Festival in Hollywood and earlier this month took home the Audience Award at the Reel Rasquache Film Festival in Los Angeles.
Villa Media Productions, along with an up-and-coming cast, brings this heartwarming story to life. In "Alondra Smiles," we meet Alondra, a fourteen-year-old who's planning to have a very special 15th birthday celebration, and her spoiled cousin Tatiana, who wants to ruin Alondra's plans.
Alondra (Natalie Gomez) has a positive attitude towards life despite having lost her parents to an accident seven years ago; she is grateful for her loving grandparents (Jose V. Villa and Josefina Ortega-Villa), whom she now lives with. Alondra befriends Armando (Anthony Marquez), a nice guy she met while working at her uncle's restaurant. Unfortunately, Alondra's manipulative step-cousin Tatiana (Paloma Rodriguez) wants Armando as her date for her debutante party, and with the help of her sidekicks she keeps Armando and Alondra apart while making them believe that she's just trying to help.
Director Conchita Nora Villa says, "My family and I wanted to produce a movie that an entire family can watch together. It was also important for me to portray Latinos in a positive, non-stereotypical way."
Ms. Villa's credits include working on "Selena" and "Mi Familia/My Family" as well as producing various independent projects. After over 10 years of experience in the various facets of the film industry, she decided to team up with her brother, Producer/Writer Juan Francisco Villa, and her family to produce and finance "Alondra Smiles." This film is Ms. Villa's directorial debut.
"Alondra Smiles" has also been selected to the International Film Festival in South Africa (October 2008) and the Kids First! Film Festival. "Alondra Smiles" is currently looking for distribution. Trailer, photos and further information are available at www.villamediaprod.com and www.myspace.com/alondrasmiles.
Villa Media Productions is a family-owned and operated company. It is currently developing an "Alondra Smiles" television pilot. ###
THE 2008 INTERNATIONAL FAMILY FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS
“ALWAYS LOOK UP FOR FAMILY FILMS”
Sunday March 2nd 2008, the International Family Film Festival culminated four days of diverse feature films, shorts films, student shorts, industry panels and workshops, the Screenwriter’s Showcase & Award Ceremony, the Freshi Road Show, receptions, interviews and networking, with the prestigious IFFF Awards Ceremony & Banquet.
At the black tie event, Chris Shoemaker, one of the festival founders and IFFF’s Executive Director, said of the spectacular first-time-ever event in the 13 year history of the IFFF, “Yesterday afternoon the Goodyear Blimp flew over these Raleigh Studios to congratulate a festival film Winner, “The Little Red Truck.” (feature documentary) For me, that was a metaphorical reminder to always look up for family films. This festival will always strive to look up with you all.”
IFFF awards ceremony presenter/performers included Ana Berry (host, producer), Dave Basaraba (musician), Magali Guidasci (costume designer), Dooma Wendshcuh (video game creator), Michael Abbott (producer), Jennifer Karr (Singer/Songwriter), Youseff Delera (award winning filmmaker), Stephane Gauger (award winning filmmaker), Colin McGreal (award winning illustrator/commercial director) and pop duo Savvy & Mandy.
The graceful award sculptures designed by H Studio – Schlomi Haziza and gold embossed certificates were plentiful and given with reverence and love. The 2008 Family Film Festival industry honorees recognized are as follows:
The 2008 IFFF “Friz” Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Art of Animation & Visual Effects Award was given to Mr. Marco Marenghi (Animation Supervisor, Sony Imageworks) with a heartfelt introduction by veteran visual effects artist and colleague, David Wiezer. He shared that, “Marco Marenghi is the kindest, bravest, warmest most wonderful human being I've ever known in my life. Marco is a wonderful friend, and a fantastic Dad to two beautiful kids. He is married to an angel… which helps him immeasurably in our business. He is absolutely revered by his team at Imageworks, where he has supervised the animation on some of the biggest box office hits in recent years. It is accurate to say that he has had a tremendously positive effect on everyone that he touches.” IFFF was proud to honor him.
Walden Media (Chronicles of Narnia) is the first production company to receive the prestigious IFFF Film Excellence Award. Accepting on behalf of the company was Mylan Stepanovich (Vice President of Production), who shared this message from Cary Granat, CEO of Walden Media, “I am honored to be receiving this award on behalf of Walden Media. We are thrilled to be recognized by a festival that has paid tribute to so many pioneers in family filmmaking, and (please) thank the directors of the International Family Film Festival for their generous support!” The IFFF Film Excellence Award recognizes Walden Media’s steadfast commitment to quality Family Films and the production of classic children’s literature for the big screen, proving that film can promote a love of books, and books can promote a love of film. With an underlying mission to promote literacy and education by linking the classroom to the screening room through fantastic movies, Walden Media has created an imagination re-generation in today’s youth! The IFFF is proud to shine a light on their work.
And the 2008 IFFF Awards for Best Picture or Screenplay goes to:
2008 IFFF FEATURE FILM WINNERS
Best Feature Drama “ALL ROADS LEAD HOME” Dennis Fallon, Director/Producer, Waldo West Productions; Best Foreign Feature Drama “STICKS AND STONES” (Canada), George Mihalka, Director, Cirrus Communications and Dream Street Pictures; Best Feature Comedy “ALICE, UPSIDE DOWN” Sandy Tung, Director/Producer, New Dog Inc.; IFFF Best Feature Animation “DONKEY OLLIE SHIPWRECKED” Brian Stewart, Director/Producer/ Animator/Writer, Car Angel-Boat Angel; Best Feature Documentary “THE LITTLE RED TRUCK” Rob Whitehair, Director, Tree & Sky Media Arts; the IFFF Directors Gold Award “ALONDRA SMILES”, Conchita Nora Villa, Director/Producer/Writer; the IFFF Spirit’ Award “BLIND AMBITION” Bala Rajasekharuni, Director/Producer/Co-Writer, Subcontinent Films, LLC; and the IFFF Top Applause Award went to “A PLUMM SUMMER” Caroline Zelder, Director/Producer, Fairplay Pictures and Home Team.
2008 IFFF SHORT FILM WINNERS
Best Drama “A SIGHT FOR SORE EYES” Shane Stanley, Director/Producer/Writer, Visual Arts Entertainment, Inc; Best Comedy “ACADEMANIA!” Gina Guerrieri, Director/Producer/Writer; Best Animation “RINDIN, THE PUFFER” Len Simon, Director/Animator/Writer, Fat Cat Animation Studios; Best Foreign Animation “THE MOFFELS – THE ARRIVAL” (Germany) Ute Krause, Co-Director, Sabrina Wanie, Co-Director, Digitrick; Best Documentary “GENERATION XXL” (Canada) Teresa MacInnes, Director/Writer; Best Educational KIDZ HISTORY’S – “Coming to America” Holly DeLuca, Director
2008 IFFF STUDENT FILM WINNERS
Best Drama “PAUL’S OPA” (Germany), Ove Sander, Director/Writer, Academy of Media Arts; Best Comedy “LIE DETECTOR” John Moran, Director/Writer, University of Southern California; Best Documentary “THE SOUNDS OF SILENT CINEMA” Craig Forrest, Co-Director, Jeff Callaway, Co-Director, Chapman University; Best Educational “ADINA’S DECK” Debbie Heimowitz, Co-Director/Co-Writer, Jason Azicri, Co-Director/Co-Writer, Stanford University
2008 FEATURE SCREENPLAY
Best Drama “True North”, Eric W. Carlson; Best Comedy “Be Careful What You Wish For” Carol Sabik-Jaffe; Best Animation “Escape from Biology”, Joanne Watson; Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy “The Ardanea Pendant” Jeanne McKinney, Anne Bradshaw.
2008 SHORT SCREENPLAY
Best Drama “Unholy Encounter”, Anthony Amenta; Best Comedy
“OOH, La La!” Scott and Paula Merrow; Best Animation “The Trophy Ball”
Rahel Kent; Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy “Coming Home” Wilson Macduff (Scotland).
Congratulations to this year’s honorees and award winners on a job well done! The family film genre is definitely lookin’ up!
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IFFF FESTIVAL SPONSORS
Platinum – Los Angeles County Arts Commission, Target, Digital Blue, Prime Entertainment
Gold – Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, CCI Releasing, Walt Disney Pictures, Sony Imageworks, H. Studio, Hope Shaw and Sibyl Bergman
Silver – Freshi Films LLC, Without A Box, All About Face Make-up Academy, AA Universal Self Storage, Daisy Rock, Girlie Nails, Zune, Santa Clarita Valley Film Office.
Friends of the Festival – Union Bank of California, East West Bank, Sunset Marquis, LA INC Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau, Councilman Thom LaBonge
In Kind Donors – Family Magazine Group, Creative Industry Handbook, Holiday Inn Walk of Fame, Universal Sheraton Hotel, LA With Kids, Got Kids! LA
Film Sponsors – “All Roads Lead Home”, “Wreck the Halls”, “Donkey Ollie”, “Alfalfa Kisses”, “American in China”, “Short Track”, “Step to Hell”, “I’d Rather Be Dancing”, “Akira’s Hip Hop Shop”
ABOUT THE IFFF
The International Family Film Festival promotes socially responsible films and screenplays, suitable for a general audience, that express a fundamental respect for the positive values of life. The IFFF advocates and encourages the creation and sharing of family film and screenplay product through film exhibition, professional and children’s hands-on film camps, seminars and post-film discussions focused specifically on the family film genre. The IFFF has a target audience of Filmmakers, Producers, Press, Distributors, Critics, Industry, Small Business, Families and Kids.
IFFF WORLD-WIDE
This year IFFF had films from around the world connecting filmmakers and audiences through one heart, one mind, and one world -- all united by universal human experiences. Audiences enjoyed a plethora of family films from seventeen diverse countries, which expressed a fundamental respect for humanity and the affirmative values of life that connect us all. The International Family Film Festival 2008 - Make a Film, Make a Friend, World Peace through Filmmaking!
NEXT YEAR’S INTERNATIONAL FAMILY FILM FESTIVAL
WILL BE HELD FEBRUARY 26–MARCH 1, 2009!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, February 25, 2008
IFFF Media Contact: Yvonne Farrow
818.679.7673/yfarrow@iffilmfest.org
IFFF HONOREE: MARCO MARENGHI
A FAMILY GUY
Marco Marenghi, Animation Supervisor, Sony Pictures Imageworks, will receive the coveted 2008 International Family Film Festival “Friz Award” (named for the late Isadore “Friz” Freleng, Head Animator at Warner Bros.) for Lifetime Achievement in the Art of Animation & Visual Effects, Sunday March 2nd at 6:30PM at Raleigh Studios.
Originally from Rhondda Valley, South Wales, United Kingdom, Marenghi’s rise from humble beginnings to the kind of success that only hard work, belief in oneself and the support of a loving family can create, is both inspiring and touching. Marenghi reflects on his start in the industry: “I came from an area in Wales where 3 out of 4 persons are unemployed. Our small mining village (once thriving) was closed down and replaced with the electronics industry. I realized then that only through education could I better myself and change my lifestyle.” So he took a leap of faith! With a wife, two kids and a mortgage, he decided to go to college to study electronics. His family fully supported him, and as fate would have it, his wife happened to notice that a course in animation was being offered there and encouraged Marco to apply.
The odds were against him. Marco had no back ground in animation, no one in his family had been an animator, the very thought of it had never even entered his mind. However, with his wife’s encouragement, he went to meet the professor to find out more. “Wow, this is so cool!” was his first thought upon exposure to the craft. The professor asked him to go home and come back with some drawings. That weekend all he could think about was the fancy portfolios and prolific drawings of his competitors – all vying for a spot in the class! Nonetheless, when he returned to the college and showed his drawings, the professor remarked, “You’ve got a flair!” Just then the phone rang; the last place in the course could go to a mature student! He turned to Marco and said, “You want it?” Talk about being in the right place at the right time! This was the break he needed.
“My first day in college was the scariest thing.” He was 32 (a late bloomer by American standards), but they saw something in him that he didn’t know he had – he honored their belief in him and worked his butt off! Marco was dealt blows, but he didn’t let it stop him. He knew he was the underdog and had a lot of catching up to do, but he persevered. It took two years of hard work to qualify for his degree, but he got it. Marenghi holds an HNC in Electronics from the University of Wales and an HND in Animation from the University of Glamorgan. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Marco specializes in “realistic” animation. He says that today, digital effects are wide spread, not just in film, but in commercials, flash media and the telephone industry. You can hardly watch anything that does not use some form of digital effects. Also of note: between family and work he finds time to teach college students and to reach back to his native community with employment where possible.
Marco’s Achievements:
Marenghi was most recently the Animation Supervisor on I am Legend. He was responsible for implementation of all animation notes regarding look and feel of the characters and creatures. He oversaw the entire modelling, character setup, motion capture and animation support processes for the movie, as well as being heavily involved in the setup of the new Massive front end pipeline. Notably, Marenghi was also instrumental in producing the animation tests and behavioral studies for the infected creatures which led Imageworks to create each one digitally for the movie - 890 shots in total, some containing hundreds of creatures.
Marenghi was the animation supervisor on Ghost Rider, and was responsible for all CG elements in the film, as well as overseeing the pipeline, modeling, rigging, and animation departments. His work involved working closely with both the visual effects supervisor and the director to oversee all motion-related elements and the look-development of the film.
Prior to his work on Ghost Rider, Marenghi was a lead animator on Bewitched where he was responsible for all animation on the show. He also worked closely with the film’s director and visual effects supervisor to create pre-visualization, final shots and a camera data system for motion control rigs on the set.
Marenghi joined Sony Pictures Imageworks in July of 2003 as an animator on The Polar Express where he was responsible for taking motion-capture data and using that information to assemble shots.
Prior to joining Imageworks, Marenghi worked on Minority Report reporting directly to Director Steven Spielberg, as well as Evolution, Time Machine and the Emmy-winning series “Walking with Dinosaurs” in the UK. While at Framestore CFC, Marenghi was an animator on Lost in Space and Tomorrow Never Dies. Marenghi has also worked on numerous television commercials and video games including The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and James Bond 007: Nightfire for Electronic Arts.
Marenghi was featured in a 2004 BBC documentary entitled “The Marco Marenghi Story.” He was the recipient of the UK’s Gold Award for Excellence in Industry in 2000. He received a nomination in 2008 for the VES Award (Visual Effects Society Awards) for Outstanding Animated Character in a Live Action Motion Picture for I am Legend.
“I wouldn’t be here if I was not given a second chance. Complete strangers believed in me. What started out as a joke, landed me a career. Without the love and support of my family, I could never have done it.” The small village where he grew up is destitute, so he and his wife are perpetually grateful for the blessings that have come their way. The Marenghi’s have a strong family structure and truly appreciate all they have because of the break Marco was given back in college. Marenghi has the utmost respect for the part his wife has played in their success. Sometimes working 16 hour days he remarks, “I couldn’t do what I do if it wasn’t for my wife! I am where I am because of her!”
In fact, it was Marco’s wife, Joe, that first signed the family up to volunteer at the IFFF. He remembers the festival in its early days in Valencia. It was there that he met Chris and Suzanne Shoemaker and Patte Dee McKee, the IFFF founders. “It was excellent exposure to family films. We’re still on the mailing list!”
Coming full circle, Marco has graduated from IFFF volunteer to IFFF honoree. To his credit and our delight, Marco is as shocked and unaffected by his success as the IFFF is proud to honor this “family guy” with the “Friz Award” for lifetime achievement and excellence in film animation and visual effects. Congratulations!
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About the IFFF - The International Family Film Festival promotes socially responsible films and screenplays, suitable for a general audience, that express a fundamental respect for the positive values of life. The IFFF advocates and encourages the creation and sharing of family film and screenplay product through film exhibition, professional and children’s hands-on film camps, seminars and post-film discussions focused specifically on the family film genre. The IFFF has a target audience of Filmmakers, Producers, Press, Distributors, Critics, Industry, Small Business, Families and Kids. With IFFF at the forefront, the family film genre has definitely come of age and is ready to hold its own in Hollywood.
IFFF World-Wide - This year IFFF has films from around the world connecting filmmakers and audiences through one heart, one mind, and one world -- all united by universal human experiences. Enjoy a plethora of family films from seventeen diverse countries, which express a fundamental respect for humanity and the affirmative values of life that connect us all. The International Family Film Festival - Make a Film, Make a Friend, World Peace through Filmmaking!
IFFF Tickets - Tickets range from $10.00 for General Admission per screening or event, $40.00 for an All-Day Pass, or $250.00 for an All-Festival Pass. Tickets can be purchased either on line at www.iffilmfest.org through PayPal or via telephone at 661.257.3131. Join IFFF! Membership is $35.00 and provides a 20% discount on all tickets and events. Seating is limited so be sure to make your reservations in advance!
Patte Dee McKee Suzanne Shoemaker
IFFF Program Director Sponsorship Director
info@iffilmfest.org sshoemaker@iffilmfest.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Contact: Yvonne Farrow
yfarrow@iffilmfest.org
Office: 818.679.7673
The International Family Film Festival
’08 Is Gonna Be Great!
The International Family Film Festival is celebrating its 13th year at the landmark Raleigh Studios in the heart of Hollywood, February 28th – March 2nd, 2008. The IFFF is designed to educate, cultivate, and elevate the family film genre by advocating and encouraging the creation and sharing of family film and screenplay product through film exhibition, professional, and children’s hands-on film camps, seminars, and post-film discussions – all focused specifically on the Family Film genre, with an intention to break the “old-school” idea that family film means film-lite.
Exciting News for the filmmakers that will be screened at this years event, are that many distributors have already reserved their attendance at several of the premieres: like CCI, Miramax, and Porchlight Entertainment.
This year’s festival promises to be the best ever. Here are some testimonials made by filmmakers and screenwriters at the
2007 IFFF:
“I came a long way (Maryland), and I was not disappointed. The International Family Film Festival was an enjoyable experience. Thank you for making it happen. Mixing with peers, picking up tips and comparing notes with development professionals, seeing scenes from my script performed by professional actors – all combined to make your event interesting and valuable.”
George Ferris, Beyond the Horizon
“Thank you so much for your graciousness, and for allowing us to share our labor of love Malas Fronteras at your festival. It was truly a wonderful experience, and we can see where the word “family” comes into play in so many dimensions with your festival because we really felt like family around all of you. We have been to so many festivals, and we were incredibly impressed by the level of professionalism of the staff and the operation of IFFF, so congratulations. Receiving the award for “Best Foreign Feature” was such an honor, Javier and I are still grinning from ear to ear.”
Laura Perez, Producer Malas Fronteras
“The IFFF is a festival with a personal touch. It’s all about people – filmmakers and the public – meeting and networking – you just don’t get that in most festivals.”
Rich Samuels, Producer/Editor of Prescription: Suicide
“Hi, my name is Patrick Stack and my film, Welcome to Paradise was in last year's festival. It was sold to First Look Studios for domestic distribution and to Porchlight Entertainment for Foreign. Thank you for your consideration!”
About the IFFF - The International Family Film Festival promotes socially responsible films and screenplays, suitable for a general audience, that express a fundamental respect for the positive values of life. The IFFF has a target audience of Filmmakers, Producers, Press, Distributors, Critics, Industry, Small Business, Families and Kids. With IFFF at the forefront, the family film genre has definitely come of age and is ready to hold its own in Hollywood.
IFFF World-Wide - This year IFFF has films from around the world connecting filmmakers and audiences through one heart, one mind, and one world -- all united by universal human experiences. Enjoy a plethora of family films from seventeen diverse countries, which express a fundamental respect for humanity and the affirmative values of life that connect us all. The International Family Film Festival - Make a Film, Make a Friend, World Peace through Filmmaking!
Tickets - Tickets range from $10.00 for General Admission per screening or event, $40.00 for an All-Day Pass, or $250.00 for an All-Festival Pass. Tickets can be purchased either on line at www.iffilmfest.org through PayPal or via telephone at 661.257.3131. Join IFFF! Membership is $35.00 and provides a 20% discount on all tickets and events. Seating is limited so be sure to make your reservations in advance!
Patte Dee McKee Suzanne Shoemaker
IFFF Program Director Sponsorship Director
info@iffilmfest.org sshoemaker@iffilmfest.org
The 2008 International Family Film Festival
Make A Film, Make A Friend!
World Peace through Filmmaking
By Yvonne Farrow
When I think about the upcoming 2008 International Family Film Festival, I begin humming that great hit by the O’Jays, Love Train. To me, this song personifies the IFFF like no other. The first stanza reads, “The next stop that we make will be England. Tell all the folks in Russia and China too. Don’t you know its time to get on board? And let this train keep on riding, riding on through. People all over the world, join hands, start a love train, love train!”
The IFFF’s Director of Business Affairs and Founder, Suzanne Shoemaker, shares that the message of “Love Train” is the secret mission of the International Family Film Festival -- to bring about world peace through filmmaking. “If a child in one country has made or shared a (virtual) film with a child in another, then maybe as an adult at the brink of disaster, he’ll pause and think – I made a film with a boy in China! How can I go to war against my friend?” And with the strides the IFFF’s sister company, Freshi Filmworx has made; the “virtual” classroom has now become a digital reality.
This year the IFFF has films made by kids of all ages, from around the world, connecting filmmakers and audiences through one heart, one mind, one world -- all united by universal human experiences. From Thursday February 28th through Sunday March 2nd 2008, at the landmark Raleigh Studios in Hollywood, film lovers can enjoy a plethora of family films from seventeen diverse countries, which express a fundamental respect for humanity and the affirmative values of life that connect us all. “The IFFF is a cultural melting pot!” says Patte Dee McKee, the IFFF’s Program Director and Founder.
The IFFF promotes socially responsible films and screenplays produced for a general audience by filmmakers and studios world wide, promoting the “new-school” thought that writers, directors, actors, financiers, producers and distributors have more than enough meaty material in the family film genre to sink their teeth into. The parameters of family film have expanded, and are bursting with possibility.
The IFFF is designed to educate, cultivate, and elevate the family film genre by advocating and encouraging the creation and sharing of family film and screenplay product through film exhibition, professional and children’s hands-on film camps, seminars, and post-film discussions. Focused specifically on the Family Film genre, IFFF wants to break the “old-school” idea that family film means film-lite.
The carefully selected films and screenplays range from the heartbreaking to the light hearted. According to Chris Shoemaker, IFFF’s Executive Director and Founder, “We are celebrating the kinds of stories and films everyone can enjoy – films with great conflict, great story telling and great emotion. The family film genre has it all.”
The IFFF is celebrating its 13th season and reaches over 6,200+ families and an untold number of industry professionals in the Los Angeles area. Chris continues, "Following the successful market for the independent family films screened at last years IFFF, it became apparent that the family film genre has come of age and is ready to hold its own in Hollywood.”
The move from the city of Valencia in 2007 was significant to the IFFF in that they saw the importance of being at the center of the business world for film. The team felt that the independent filmmakers that IFFF showcases deserve to be seen by the largest numbers of distributors, producers, agents and potential financiers of the “new” family film genre and Hollywood offers that. Chris goes on to share their humble beginnings.
“The International Family Film Festival was born in 1993 in Valencia, California – just 20 miles north of Hollywood on the I-5. Two couples sat at a Cocoa’s Restaurant, shared coffee and expressed a common concern about the cultural effect of excessive violence in entertainment on America. We decided to act on our concerns and to encourage artists who were interested in the power of a good story. We wanted to support films that told the story of our lives. We wanted our children to tell this story to their children. We wanted narrative heft and aesthetic substance in films that a whole family could watch together – not just bombs, guns, knives and snakes on a plane.
We (the two couples), were not rich people. We were working artists ourselves, but we saw the strength of the independent filmmaker taking up the camera as a weapon against the machine that spends billions of dollars to research our human foibles and then shove them down our throats as entertainment in the form of digital junk. In our ignorant zeal to make a difference, we pledged $20 and began to build a film festival.
There were many obstacles to overcome. The first trial was Mother Nature herself, in the form of the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. It shook the town to the core and toppled the interstates, isolating the community from the greater Los Angeles area. Regardless, our passion was ignited, so we persevered and held the first festival just two months after the earthquake. The first IFFF honoree was Isadore “Friz” Freleng (head animator at Warner Bros., creator, director and producer), for his lifetime achievement in the art of animation. Despite his failing health, Friz (then 89 and painfully shy) with his family, made their way to Valencia to accept the award. What a magical evening. He died two weeks later.”
Since that first festival, the IFFF has continued to grow as a grass roots event fueled by a clear mission and dedicated filmmakers who have continued to hold fast to their initial convictions. The original founders, Chris, Suzanne and Patte Dee, continue to produce it today. But the world has changed since 1993. In entertainment, the major studios have all launched “family film” divisions. The major agencies are developing segments for the “family film” genre and several major investors have launched their own “family film” production companies. The IFFF may have had very little impact on those changes, but they are at the forefront of a movement and are delighted that Hollywood is joining in.
For the second year, the IFFF returns to the heart of Hollywood to host its festival. Since 1915, Raleigh Studios has been the longest continuously operating studio in the country and has played a central role in creating and supporting the modern entertainment industry. It serves as the perfect home for the IFFF with three screening theaters, a studio based restaurant and plenty of break-out space for seminars, screenplay readings and networking.
This year’s festival is chock full of exciting events for families, filmmakers, producers, distributors and film lovers alike. Tickets range from $10.00 for General Admission per screening or event, $40.00 for an All-Day Pass, or $250.00 for an All-Festival Pass. Tickets can be purchased either on line at www.iffilmfest.org through PayPal, or via telephone at 661.257.3131. Join IFFF! Membership is $35.00 and provides a 20% discount on all tickets and events. Seating is limited so be sure to make your reservations in advance!
Opening Night Hoop-La! The festival begins Thursday March 28th with three great films. Screening at 4pm is Conchita Nora Villa’s Alondra Smiles (about a young girl’s quinciera jeopardized by a jealous cousin); followed at 6pm by Dennis Fallon’s All Roads Lead Home (the story of a troubled girl who questions her value in life); and at 8pm, Sandy Tung’s Alice, Upside Down (the story of a “tween” whose mother dies leaving her to find her own identity in a new town and new school). After the screenings, rub elbows with IFFF’s elite networking with producers, actors, directors, writers and VIP guests at the famous Lucy’s El Adobe Café, just a short walk from Raleigh Studios.
Family Filmtastik! offers films in three categories. In Films Made For Young People, By Young People the IFFF works with the Los Angeles Unified School District busing in children from local schools to the festival for special screenings of student short films. After each screening, the emerging filmmakers themselves lead a lively Q&A session answering questions from their peers about their work (10am – 3pm daily).
In Shorties, enjoy over twenty spectacular short films covering a wide variety of topics from three different continents. After the screenings, find out “whaz-up” with the filmmakers and the where, when and how their films got made (10am – Midnight daily).
In Feature Phe-nom, choose from seventeen feature films gracing the family film genre from around the globe. After the screenings, meet the filmmakers that are changing our planet, one film at a time. Participate in thought provoking discussion with these movers-and-shakers of the family film industry (10am – Midnight daily).
The IFFF Screenwriters Showcase & Awards happens on Saturday, March 1st at 4pm. In this, the last round of the IFFF Screenplay Competition, finalists choose the best scenes from their scripts to present to industry elite - directors, managers, agents, producers and distributors – performed by professional actors. The IFFF winners for Best Screenplay will then be revealed. The winning categories for Feature Film, Short Film Screenplays are; Best Drama, Best Comedy, Best Animation and Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy. In past festivals, producers have optioned five films from this single event. Finally, all of the winners and finalists will be introduced to the public and have an opportunity to field questions about their scripts and network at the Screenwriter’s Reception at 6pm at the infamous, Raleigh Studios Cantina.
During the day in At the Cantina, you’ll find Panel Mania! The discussion begins Friday, February 29th from 3-5pm with Ready, Set, Act! Fulfilling Roles Found in Family Film. This panel will focus on the heart-wrenching to the light hearted roles available in the “new” family film genre; the ups and downs of an actor’s lifestyle in an unpredictable market place; and the actor’s image - being “hip” in the hot family film market.
On Saturday, March 1st from 10-12 noon IFFF offers Old School, New School: Contemporary Directors Discuss Making Family Films in the 21st Century. Topics include: the challenges and rewards of creating films suitable for all ages; special considerations that films appealing to families must face in today’s market; and tactics used to attract box office talent to act in family films.
From 1-3pm, Screenplay-Lite, Not! Writing Meaty Family Films. Topics include: the process and challenges of writing family films; getting scripts made and sold in today’s market place; and the growing appeal of writing in the family film genre.
From 3-4pm is, Digital Technology: The Future is Now, with samples of the latest digital cameras in the market for making low budget family films; the upgrades and advances since ’07; and how digital technology has opened the door for filmmakers interested in the family film genre.
On Sunday, March 2nd from 11-1pm IFFF offers Show Me the Money: Financing the Family Film and from 1-3pm, By Any Means Necessary: Distributing the Family Film. Topics will range from how to raise money to make family films to getting family films into the market place. Vision, planning, execution and innovative marketing ideas are the keys to success in the family film genre.
Under the IFFF Welcome Tent you can find Daily Deals. Pick-up or purchase your festival tickets and souvenirs, network, check out the Freshi Road Show, meet vendors and filmmakers, take advantage of the professional and children’s hands-on film camp, sign autographs and watch live interviews (10am – Midnight daily).
That’s All Folks! The IFFF Awards Ceremony held March 2nd at 6:30pm, is the festival’s culminating event. Not only will the awards for Best Feature Film, Best Short Film and Best Student Short Film in Drama, Comedy, Documentary, Educational and Animation be bestowed, but special industry recognition awards: the “IFFF Spirit Award”, the “IFFF Directors Gold Award” and the “Top Applause Award” (audience vote), will also be handed out. And then finally, the most prestigious awards of the night will be presented. The “Friz Award” for Lifetime Achievement in Film will go to honoree, Marco Marenghi (of Sony Pictures’ Imageworks) for his excellence in Animation/Visual Effects; and the “IFFF Film Excellence Award” will be presented to Walden Media (Chronicles of Narnia) for their excellence in and commitment to Family Films. The ceremony is followed by the IFFF Awards Banquet at 8:30pm.
So, as the closing verse of Love Train reads, “All of you brothers over in Africa, tell all the folks in Egypt and Israel, too. Please don’t miss this train at the station, ‘cause if you miss it I feel sorry, sorry for you! People all over the world, join hands, start a love train, love train!” The 2008 International Family Film Festival rolls out Feb 28th – March 2nd. Don’t you miss it!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, February 8, 2008
Contact: Yvonne Farrow
yfarrow@iffilmfest.org
818.679.7673
PANEL MANIA AT THE IFFF!
From Friday February 29th through Sunday March 2nd 2008, at the landmark Raleigh Studios in Hollywood, the International Family Film Festival will host Panels focused specifically on the Family Film genre, with an intention to break the old-school idea that family film means film-lite. The IFFF advocates, promotes and encourages excellence in films and screenplays produced for a general audience by filmmakers and studios world wide, promoting the new-school thought that writers, directors, actors, financiers and distributors have something they can sink their teeth into. The parameters of family film have expanded, and are therefore bursting with possibility. This year’s IFFF panels are designed to educate, cultivate and elevate the family film genre. Industry professionals will serve as panelists to be announced at a later date.
IFFF Panel Mania begins Friday, February 29th with Ready, Set, Act! Fulfilling Roles Found in Family Film. Moderated by Jamie Parker (rising actor/writer seen on Jimmie Kimmel Live and Freshi Filmworx sales associate/teacher), this panel will focus on the heart-wrenching to the light hearted roles available in the “new” family film genre; the ups and downs of an actors lifestyle in an unpredictable market place; and the actors image - being “hip” in the hot family film market.
On Saturday, March 1st from 10-12, Joe Doughrity (WGA Member, Filmmaker, Educator and recipient of the Director’s Guild of America’s “Best African-American Director Award”) will moderate, Old School, New School: Contemporary Directors Discuss Making Family Films in the 21st Century. Some topics include: the challenges and rewards of creating films suitable for all ages; special considerations films appealing to families must face in today’s market; and tactics used to attract box office talent to act family films.
From 1-3pm IFFF offers, Screenplay-Lite, Not! Writing Meaty Family Films. Ashley Beyer (an emerging writer/director directing her first feature, Print, for Upload Films and William Morris Independent in Spring 2008 and editor of Freshi Filmworx’ young filmmakers magazine, Intercut), will moderate. Topics include: the process and challenges of writing family films; getting scripts made and sold in today’s market place; and the growing appeal of writing in the family film genre.
From 3-4pm, Kim Turney (IFFF’s Administrative Director, filmmaker and creator of the High Definition Digital Workflow System) will moderate, Digital Technology: The Future is Now, with samples of the latest digital cameras in the market for making low budget family films; she’ll discuss the upgrades and advances since ’07; and how digital technology has opened the door for filmmakers interested in the family film genre.
On Sunday, March 2nd Suzanne Shoemaker (IFFF’s Co-Founder and Director of Business Development; Founder and Principle, Acts of Creation Entertainment) will moderate back-to-back panels. From 11-1 she offers, Show Me the Money: Financing the Family Film and from 1-3, By Any Means Necessary: Distributing the Family Film. These panels are not to be missed. The topics will range from how to raise money to make family films, to getting family films into the market place. Vision, planning, execution and innovative marketing ideas are the keys to success in the family film genre and this panel has it all!
About the IFFF
The International Family Film Festival promotes socially responsible films and screenplays, suitable for a general audience, that express a fundamental respect for the positive values of life. The IFFF advocates and encourages the creation and sharing of family film and screenplay product through film exhibition, professional and children’s hands-on film camps, seminars and post-film discussions. The IFFF has a target audience of Filmmakers, Producers, Distributors, Press, Critics, Industry, Small Business, Families and Kids. Because of IFFF, the family film genre has definitely come of age and is ready to hold its own in Hollywood.
IFFF World-Wide
This year IFFF has films from around the world connecting filmmakers and audiences through one heart, one mind, and one world -- all united by universal human experiences. Enjoy a plethora of family films from seventeen diverse countries, which express a fundamental respect for humanity and the affirmative values of life that connect us all. The International Family Film Festival - Make a Film, Make a Friend, World Peace through Filmmaking!
The International Family Film Festival is held February 28 – March 2, 2008 at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood, CA. For a full screening schedule of films visit the website at www.iffilmfest.org. Tickets are $10.00 per screening and can be purchased either on line or via telephone at 661.257.3131. Membership to the festival is $35.00 and provides a 20% discount on all tickets and events. Seating is limited so be sure to make your reservations in advance.
Patte Dee McKee
IFFF Program Director
info@iffilmfest.org
Suzanne Shoemaker
Sponsorship Director
sshoemaker@iffilmfest.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE!
Date: Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Contact: Yvonne Farrow
yfarrow@iffilmfest.org 818.679.7673
SCREENWRITERS COMPETE FOR BEST OF THE FEST
IN FAMILY FILM GENRE
On Saturday, March 1st at 4:00pm the International Family Film Festival will present its Screenwriters Showcase & Awards Ceremony in the famous Charlie Chaplin Theater at Raleigh Studios. In this, the last round of the IFFF Screenplay Competition, finalists choose the best scenes from their scripts to present to industry elite - directors, managers, agents, producers and distributors – performed by professional actors. The IFFF winners for Best Screenplay will then be revealed. The categories are: Best Feature Drama, Best Feature Comedy, Best Feature Animation, Best Feature Sci-Fi/ Fantasy; and Best Short Screenplay Drama, Best Short Screenplay Comedy, Best Short Screenplay Animation and Best Short Screenplay Sci-Fi/ Fantasy. These scripts break any old-school idea that the family film genre means screenplay-lite! The screenplays, as with the films selected for the 13th Annual IFFF, range from the heart-wrenching to the light-hearted. In past festivals, producers have optioned five films from this single IFFF event!
All of the winners and finalist will be introduced to the public and have an opportunity field questions about their scripts at the IFFF Networking and Screenwriter’s Reception at 6:00pm in the Raleigh Studios Cantina. The reception is an excellent opportunity to network with literary lovers in an intimate professional setting.
Also not-to-be-missed is IFFF’s Panel Discussion, Screenwriting Family Films, hosted by members of the Writers Guild of America west, from 1-3pm. The family film genre is bursting with new material. According to Chris Shoemaker, IFFF’s Executive Director, “We are celebrating the kinds of stories and films everyone can enjoy – films with great conflict, great story telling and great emotion. The family film genre has it all.”
About the IFFF
The International Family Film Festival promotes socially responsible films and screenplays, suitable for a general audience, that express a fundamental respect for the positive values of life. The IFFF advocates and encourages the creation and sharing of family film and screenplay product through film exhibition, professional and children’s hands-on film camps, seminars and post-film discussions. The IFFF has a target audience of Filmmakers, Producers, Distributors, Press, Critics, Industry, Small Business, Families and Kids. Because of IFFF, the family film genre has definitely come of age and is ready to hold its own in Hollywood.
IFFF World-Wide
This year IFFF has films from around the world connecting filmmakers and audiences through one heart, one mind, and one world -- all united by universal human experiences. Enjoy a plethora of family films from seventeen diverse countries, which express a fundamental respect for humanity and the affirmative values of life that connect us all. The International Family Film Festival - Make a Film, Make a Friend, World Peace through Filmmaking!
The International Family Film Festival is held February 28 – March 2, 2008 at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood, CA. For a full screening schedule of films visit the website at www.iffilmfest.org. Tickets are $10.00 per screening and can be purchased either on line or via telephone at 661.257.3131. Membership to the festival is $35.00 and provides a 20% discount on all tickets and events. Seating is limited so be sure to make your reservations in advance.
Patte Dee McKee
IFFF Program Director
info@iffilmfest.org
Suzanne Shoemaker
Sponsorship Director
sshoemaker@iffilmfest.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE!
Monday February 3, 2008
Contact: Yvonne Farrow, Public Relations
818-332-7951, yfarrow@iffilmfest.org
The International Family Film Festival Turns Hollywood Upside Down!
February 28th – March 2nd 2008 at Raleigh Studios, Hollywood, CA
This year’s International Family Film Festival has selected Alice, Upside Down, by writer/producer/director Sandy Tung, as its opening night feature presentation, screening Thursday, February 28th at 8:00pm at the landmark, Raleigh Studios. The premiere is followed by a fiesta-filled reception at the famous, Lucy’s El Adobe Café on Melrose.
Funny and poignant, Alice Upside Down is the story of a young girl in her “tweens”, grappling with finding her identity after the loss of her mother, when the family moves to a new home, in a new city, to a new school, where she must make new friends. Adapted from a series of children’s books, Tung states that, “The film is a little more real (than other films made for kids), in that Alice (11) is struggling with very real issues.” Tung, along with co-writer Meghan Heritage and producers Carl Borack and Dale Rosenbloom are extremely proud of this film and the “skilled” young actress, Alyson Stoner, who plays the lead. Tung is honored his film has been selected to open IFFF’s 13th Season!
IFFF also kicks off its four day screening schedule on the 28th with two other delightful films. In the six o’clock slot is producer/director Dennis Fallon’s, All Roads Lead Home, about the rebellious twelve year old, Belle, who is sent to live on her grandfather’s farm where she learns about the value of life through the expendability of animals, which begs her to wonder, am I useful? And at 4pm, write/producer/director Conchita Nora Villa gives us, Alondra Smiles, the story of fourteen year old Alondra who (after having had a rough start in life), is planning a special 15th birthday celebration with her friends and grandparents, when her jealous cousin threatens to ruin everything just to have her way.
The International Family Film Festival promotes socially responsible films and screenplays, suitable for a general audience, that express a fundamental respect for the positive values of life. The IFF advocates and encourages the creation and sharing of family film and screenplay product through film exhibition, professional and children’s hands-on film camps, seminars and post-film discussions. The IFFF has a target audience of Filmmakers, Producers, Distributors, Press, Critics, Industry, Small Businesses, Families and Kids. According to Chris Shoemaker, IFFF’s Executive Director, "Following the successful market for the independent family films screened at last year’s IFFF, it became apparent that the family film genre has come of age and is ready to hold its own in Hollywood."
This year IFFF has films from around the world connecting filmmakers and audiences through one heart, one mind, and one world -- all united by universal human experiences. Enjoy a plethora of family films from seventeen diverse countries, which express a fundamental respect for humanity and the affirmative values of life that connect us all. The International Family Film Festival - Make a Film, Make a Friend, World Peace through Filmmaking!
For more information on purchasing festival tickets to screenings, special events and seminars visit www.iffilmfest.org or contact:
Patte Dee McKee
(661) 257-3131
info@iffilmfest.org
For Sponsorship Opportunities contact:
Suzanne Shoemaker
(818) 332-7951 ext. 703
sshoemaker@iffilmfest.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE!
Monday February 4, 2008
Contact: Yvonne Farrow, Public Relations
818-332-7951, yfarrow@iffilmfest.org
The International Family Film Festival Turns Hollywood Upside Down!
February 28th – March 2nd 2008 at Raleigh Studios, Hollywood, CA
This year’s International Family Film Festival has selected Alice, Upside Down, by writer/producer/director Sandy Tung, as its opening night feature presentation, screening Thursday, February 28th at 8:00pm at the landmark, Raleigh Studios. The premiere is followed by a fiesta-filled reception at the famous, Lucy’s El Adobe Café on Melrose.
Funny and poignant, Alice Upside Down is the story of a young girl in her “tweens”, grappling with finding her identity after the loss of her mother, when the family moves to a new home, in a new city, to a new school, where she must make new friends. Adapted from a series of children’s books, Tung states that, “The film is a little more real (than other films made for kids), in that Alice (11) is struggling with very real issues.” Tung, along with co-writer Meghan Heritage and producers Carl Borack and Dale Rosenbloom are extremely proud of this film and the “skilled” young actress, Alyson Stoner, who plays the lead. Tung is honored his film has been selected to open IFFF’s 13th Season!
IFFF also kicks off its four day screening schedule on the 28th with two other delightful films. In the six o’clock slot is producer/director Dennis Fallon’s, All Roads Lead Home, about the rebellious twelve year old, Belle, who is sent to live on her grandfather’s farm where she learns about the value of life through the expendability of animals, which begs her to wonder, am I useful? And at 4pm, writer/producer/director Conchita Nora Villa gives us, Alondra Smiles, the story of fourteen year old Alondra who (after having had a rough start in life), is planning a special 15th birthday celebration with her friends and grandparents, when her jealous cousin threatens to ruin everything just to have her way.
The International Family Film Festival promotes socially responsible films and screenplays, suitable for a general audience, that express a fundamental respect for the positive values of life. The IFFF advocates and encourages the creation and sharing of family film and screenplay product through film exhibition, professional and children’s hands-on film camps, seminars and post-film discussions. The IFFF has a target audience of Filmmakers, Producers, Distributors, Press, Critics, Industry, Small Businesses, Families and Kids. According to Chris Shoemaker, IFFF’s Executive Director, "Following the successful market for the independent family films screened at last year’s IFFF, it became apparent that the family film genre has come of age and is ready to hold its own in Hollywood."
This year IFFF has films from around the world connecting filmmakers and audiences through one heart, one mind, and one world -- all united by universal human experiences. Enjoy a plethora of family films from seventeen diverse countries, which express a fundamental respect for humanity and the affirmative values of life that connect us all. The International Family Film Festival - Make a Film, Make a Friend, World Peace through Filmmaking!
For more information on purchasing festival tickets to screenings, special events and seminars visit www.iffilmfest.org or contact:
Patte Dee McKee
(661) 257-3131
info@iffilmfest.org
For Sponsorship Opportunities contact:
Suzanne Shoemaker
(818) 332-7951 ext. 703
sshoemaker@iffilmfest.org
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