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Courtesy of UCLA Film & Television Archive The archive will show favorites of festival guest director George Lucas, including “Dr. Strangelove,” directed by Stanley Kubrick, shown on the set.

Hollywood takes over Westwood

By Kelly Graml
UCLA Today

Break out the popcorn and autograph books. The Film Independent’s Los Angeles Film Festival (LAFF) is making the big move to Westwood Village next month, and the area’s most prominent neighbor, UCLA, is part of the welcoming party.

In its debut year on Bruin turf, the June 22-July 2 festival will unspool more than 170 feature and short films to tens of thousands of visitors. The lineup spans the globe and covers the spectrum of moviemaking, from tiny indies to big-budget studio blockbusters.

Among the celebrity-studded events — all open to the public — will be world premieres, tribute screenings, VIP parties, opening- and closing-night galas, coffee talks, poolside chats and porch parties. Festival events will take place at nearly a dozen venues in the village and on campus, including the Landmark Regent Theatre, the James Bridges Theater, the Italian Cultural Institute and the Hammer Museum. While all events are within walking distance of each other, shuttle buses also will be running.

“With 60,000 attendees last year and more expected this year, Westwood Village is the perfect location for our festival’s growing audience,” said festival director Rich Raddon.

UCLA will play a prominent role in this screen fest. Cathy Schulman — this year“s Oscar winner for producing “Crash” and a visiting assistant professor in the School of Theater, Film and Television — will deliver the keynote address.

“We’ve been working with Film Independent for a year and a half to bring this festival to Westwood and UCLA,” said Barbara Boyle, chair of the Department of Film, Television and Digital Media. “I’m thrilled to be establishing this partnership.”

Also part of the festival: “The Arch” (above), “All Tomorrow's Parties” (above right) and “The Seven Samurai” (right)

To celebrate the festival’s arrival in Westwood, the UCLA Film & Television Archive will collaborate with LAFF on an array of events. In a program titled “LA Noir,” writers Alain Silver and James Ursini will host an armchair excursion, fortified with plenty of movie clips, to the shooting locations of this most Los Angeles-centric of genres. Attendees will receive a detailed map for a self-guided tour of these locations.

The archive will also present “LA International,” a tribute to three émigré directors who are quite possibly the most important Los Angeles filmmakers you have never heard of: Parviz Sayyad, Shin Sang-ok and Tang Shuxuan (Shu Shuen). In “The Films That Got Away,” the spotlight will fall on remarkable films that have so far eluded Los Angeles screens.

Ever wonder what it would be like to use a 35mm motion picture film camera? Then don“t miss “Stop By. Shoot Film.” On June 25, the School of Theater, Film and Television will offer hands-on camera experience as part of the festival’s daylong celebration of cinematography. Meanwhile at the Geffen Playhouse, cinephiles can discuss composing, acting, directing and screenwriting with industry professionals at a series of LAFF Coffee Talks.

The complete festival schedule will be announced June 1. Visit www.lafilmfest.com or www.cinema.ucla.edu for up-to-date information.