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The 6th annual Topanga Film Festival, to be held August 19-22, will honor both Dennis Hopper and David Lynch. In honor of Hopper, the festival will screen 1969 classic “Easy Rider,” the grandfather of independent films, at Abuelita’s Mexican Restaurant on Thursday, August 19. David Lynch will be honored for innovation in filmmaking on Friday, August 20 at The Mountain Mermaid where his short film, “Lady Blue Shanghai” will screen.
Prior to the festival kick-off party at Abuelita’s, Topanga resident Jim Chressanthis award-winning documentary, “No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos,” will screen at the tent before taking the party across the street.
To accommodate this year’s greatly expanded screening slate, organizers have added a screening location — an oversized bright pink screening tent in the middle of town — at Pine Tree Circle, 120 N. Topanga Canyon Boulevard, Topanga, Ca. 90290. Panel discussions, question and answer sessions, including international participation via Skype, will be offered as part of the screening program.
This year’s selection will focus on shorts and features dedicated to addressing issues related to the environment, socio-political/humanitarian matters, creative/narrative/perspectives and family. Screenings are scheduled daily starting 12 Noon on Thursday, 2 p.m. on Friday following the farmers’ market, 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets range from $10 – 15 per admission, or $100 for an all-tent, all-access pass for the duration of the festival.
A new addition to the festival is International Day, set for Friday, August 20, to be held at the Mountain Mermaid, that will run parallel to the screenings at Pine Tree Circle. Slated for the event is a speed networking facility where content creators can pitch their project to mainstream and new media decision-makers as well as four panels (included in the price of entry), a separate slate of international curated short films.
A special screening is the evening’s finale. Food and beverages will be available throughout the day. Partnering with TFF for this event are Swiss-based Dreamago, the Los Angeles Irish Film Festival, the Indian Film Festival, the Consulate General of Switzerland and BoxUrShorts Film Festival.
Saturday, August 21 is the International Short Film Competition at Trust Ranch. Pre-screening festivities begin at 6PM and screenings to commence at 8:30PM. Food and beverages will be available at the event although attendees may elect to bring their own picnic as in previous years. Guests are reminded that seating is picnic-style and beach chairs are suggested and it is advisable to bring a blanket.
Events on Sunday, August 22, include Youth Salon that starts at 11AM and may run between one and two hours depending on the number of entries and the Award Ceremony at Froggy’s where multiple awards will be presented including the Coveted Coyote Award, the $60,000 Panavision Young Filmmaker Award, the EVS Suitable for All Screens awards, Best Actor and Diamond in the Rough.
At present, tickets may be reserved by email to milena@topangafilmfestival.com although they will be available for on-line purchase shortly.
The All Access Pass is $150 (this allows access to all events, including the Mountain Mermaid), $100 for Tent All Access and $50 Mountain Mermaid All Access.
Individual events are $10 per screening (children under 12 free), $40 Mountain Mermaid panels and networking event, $25 Mountain Mermaid gala and $25 for the Trust Ranch Big Night.
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