WE'VE TAKEN ONE MORE big step toward shedding our image as a "cow town," as one former local politician once dubbed Ventura. We now have our own Film Festival. And it's shaping up to be quite an event.
The event will run March 27-29, 2009 at the reconstituted Elks Lodge in Ventura, a venue which is part of Project Encore's efforts to revitalize both our Downtown and enhance our local arts scene. Two screening rooms will be set up there.
"We're trying to elevate this concept of home-grown festival, but it's not an amateur thing," explained festival organizer Lorenzo DeStefano, who is himself a filmmaker. "It's trying to blend local voices with global visions," he said.
I've posted a preview on top from one of the festival's featured filmmakers, Andrew Huang, a Los Angeles video artist. It's a nice piece of work. He's a USC film school graduate and hugely creative. "Doll Face" has received more than 2 million hits on YouTube. He'll be on hand to explain his vision along with the other featured filmmakers.
Another interesting entry is a film called "The Women's Kingdom," about a matriarchal society in China. Now this one really caught my attention!
THE FESTIVAL IS ALSO giving local filmmakers a chance to showcase their work, DeStefano said. The work of Brooks Institute students will be featured, plus "we're encouraging other people who aren't filmmakers to tell their stories on film," he said. These folks will be working with CAPS-TV's production capabilities.
The event has a pretty stellar lineup of locals behind it, too, people who are very good at getting things done in our town. I wish them much success and hope it becomes an annual event. DeStefano is also hoping to launch a Ventura Film Society from it.
As with any other event, it takes money to put it on, so the Ventura Film Festival is planning a fundraiser for this Sunday, Dec. 7 at 5 p.m. at the Candlelight Kitchen & Bar, 211 E. Santa Clara St., in Ventura. A $20 suggested donation will be taken at the door. Students with I.D. are $10. The event will feature previews of the festival lineup, guest directors and speakers, food, drink and a silent auction. Ojai/Ventura singer songwriter Emy Reynolds will entertain. For more information please visit www.venturafilmfest.com
"People are really geared up," DeStefano said, "I think Sunday's going to be something else."
Could this event not combine itself with Ojai and Santa Barbara's events?
Well...first off I think this an ambitious effort to ramp up the cultural aspect of the city of Ventura.
I wish these people luck....
As to why not Ojai or SB....well, those aren't our towns! Like...DOH!
It's not about building THEIR towns, it's about building OUR town...hence the VENTURA Film Festival.
That being said, I'll look into this...
Oh, I was thinking if they didn't have the money to put it on/promote they could piggyback on another event. Maybe have a progressive film festival, like they have progressive dinners? (No, not that kind of progressive...)
"Doll Face" is the most origional idea I have seen in decades. Andrew Huang is an artist who is up there with the David Lynches our our time.
Please keep me informed as to other films by Andrew Huang.
Thank you.
Bob Lerner
Last night's Launch Party for the Ventura Film Festival was a great beginning. The quality of the films shown and the energy of the crowd indicate that this local festival is going to be an enormous success and wholly a Ventura effort. Thanks to Lorenzo and Robert for pulling together the community!!
I love the idea of Ventura having a film festival!
Ventura Film Festival To Launch February 16, 2009
Ventura, CA – The Ventura Film Festival will open it's 2009 events on Monday February 16, 2009 at the Majestic Ventura Theater in Ventura, California with a “fun day�. The event marks the 5th anniversary of the Ventura Film Festival which was started by Jordan Older and his father in 2004. The Ventura Film Festival board of directors will be present to show their selection of currently received entries for the 2009 Ventura Film Festival. The festival board includes Hollywood film makers Dustin Dean and Dylan O'Neil, and U.S. Olympian John Godina who is the most decorated shot putter in U.S. athletics history. Ventura Film Festival is a green organization and accepts entries and submissions online at the festival's official web site, http://venturafilmfestival.org. Part of the profits from the Ventura Film Festival will go directly towards environmental issues such as forest and ocean preservation. The “fun day� will serve as a warm up for the main event of the 2009 Ventura Film Festival which will take place in July. The event will take place at 2pm at the Majestic Ventura Theater on 26 S. Chestnut St. in Ventura, CA.
Media Contact:
Jordan Older, info@venturafilmfestival.org
Tel 805 644 9981