Target and ZonePerfect(R) Nutrition Bars to Serve as Premier Sponsors of Film Independent's 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival, Presented by the Los Angeles Times

Target and ZonePerfect(R) Nutrition Bars to Serve as Premier Sponsors of Film Independent's 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival, Presented by the Los Angeles Times

Principal sponsors include Kodak, IFC and Netflix

LOS ANGELES, June 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards and the Los Angeles Film Festival, announced today its sponsors for the 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival, presented by the Los Angeles Times (www.latimes.com). The Los Angeles Film Festival will run from Thursday, June 18 to Sunday, June 28 in Westwood Village. Premier Sponsors for the 2009 Festival are Target and ZonePerfect(R) Nutrition Bars. Principal sponsors are Kodak, IFC and Netflix. Special support is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts. The Official Beer is Stella Artois, Official Spirit is Marani Premium Vodka Spirit, Official Soft Drink is Coca-Cola, and the Official Water is smartwater. W Los Angeles-Westwood Hotel and the Hotel Palomar are the Official Host Hotels. American Airlines is the Official Airline Partner of Film Independent. Wire Image is the Official Photographer of Film Independent.

Now in its fifteenth year, the Los Angeles Film Festival is widely recognized as a world-class event, showcasing the best in new American and international cinema and providing the movie-loving public with access to some of the most critically acclaimed filmmakers, film industry professionals, and emerging talent from around the world. As previously announced, the 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival will screen over 200 feature films, shorts, and music videos, representing more than 30 countries.

Contact the Festival Ticketing Center for passes, tickets and event information by calling 866.FILM.FEST (866.345-6337) or visit LAFilmFest.com. Festival passes and tickets can also be purchased in person beginning on Friday, June 12 at the Festival Ticketing Center located at 1038 Westwood Blvd.

The Los Angeles Times returns for its fourth year as the Los Angeles Film Festival's title sponsor and will once again produce the official Festival Film Guide, the comprehensive source for all movie info, screenings, locations and related special events. The Guide will be available throughout Westwood Village during the Festival and will top the Sunday paper on June 14, reaching over 1 million subscribers.

Premier Sponsor Target will be returning to the Los Angeles Film Festival for their ninth year. Target will be honoring Festival filmmakers at the Target Filmmaker Awards Gala where they will distribute the Target Filmmaker Award for Best Narrative Feature and the Target Documentary Award, each carrying an unrestricted cash prize of $50,000. The Target Filmmaker Award and the Target Documentary Award offer the financial means to help filmmakers transfer their vision to the screen. Target also sponsors CineCultura - a Festival program honoring Latin films and filmmakers programmed in the Festival.

In its first year as a Premier Sponsor, ZonePerfect(R) Nutrition Bars will host the ZonePerfect live.create. lounge, where Festival filmmakers can mix and mingle with Festival attendees, press and professionals in the film community. Located in the heart of Westwood Village at 1028 Westwood Blvd., the lounge will be the center of activity for Festival events, film parties and live music. Art from Los Angeles-based artists will also be on display for lounge guests to enjoy. In its ongoing support of the arts, the makers of ZonePerfect bars will host singer-songwriter Matt Nathanson on Saturday, June 27, for a special evening performance and will present the Los Angeles Unified School District with a check in partnership with the VH1 Save The Music Foundation to restore a local Los Angeles elementary school's instrumental music program.

Principal Sponsor and Film Independent Organizational Partner Kodak returns with their signature programs at the Festival: Kodak Speed Dating and Kodak Focus. Kodak Speed Dating directly connects Festival filmmakers with industry heavyweights from all walks of the entertainment community. The mission: to create a casual atmosphere of accessibility through informative and intimate one-on-one meetings. Kodak Speed Dating is open to all Festival filmmakers with short, narrative, documentary, and international films, as well as Film Independent's Fellows in this year's Fast Track program. Kodak Focus, an intimate conversation with master cinematographer Robbie Greenberg ASC, provides audiences with an opportunity to learn more about the craft of cinematography.

As returning Principal Sponsors, IFC will also sponsor the Music Video Program at the 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival, including the Propaganda & Satellite Class Reunion, a Tribute Screening and conversation with some of its founders and artists to reminisce on a great era of music videos and filmmaking.

Netflix returns to the Festival as a Principal Sponsor. Netflix will provide viewing terminals in Festival Hospitality venues for attendees to vote for their favorite short from a group of ten semifinalist projects chosen for the Netflix FIND Your Voice Competition. The winner of this film competition will be awarded the resources needed to make a full-length narrative film, including a $150,000 production grant, distribution through the Netflix Web site and the opportunity for the finished feature to premier at the Los Angeles Film Festival in 2010.

Netflix will also sponsor the Outdoor Screenings at the Ford Amphitheater. The company is so proud to help audiences discover and enjoy movies at the Los Angeles Film Festival that they are sending more than 300 Netflix employees to attend the Festival and experience it as VIPs!

American Airlines returns as the official airline of the Festival. American Airlines will also be sponsoring the Festival Screenings of Facing Ali, Soul Power and the free 30th Anniversary Broxton Outdoor Screening of Ghost Busters.

Returning as a Platinum Sponsor, Technicolor will once again co-sponsor the exclusive Filmmaker Reception, hosted by Peter Fonda.

The W Los Angeles - Westwood continues as an Official Venue and Platinum Sponsor of the Festival - it is the home of the popular Poolside Chats, Coffee Talks and the exclusive Filmmaker Reception. The W Los Angeles - Westwood will also be the home for Film Independent's Fast Track industry meetings and the free outdoor 15th Anniversary Screening of Election, poolside at sunset on June 28th.

The Filmmaker Reception is co-sponsored by new Festival sponsor the Montana Film Office. They will provide complimentary valet red carpet parking for all Filmmaker Reception invited guests. The Montana Film Office will also co-sponsor the Film Financing Conference at the Festival, along with long time Financing Conference supporter Surpin & Mayersohn.

Joining the Festival in their second year and serving as a Platinum Sponsor, the Hotel Palomar will again host visiting Festival filmmakers. New in 2009, the Hotel Palomar will host Kodak Speed Dating and was the official venue for the highly successful June 5th Festival Lineup Announcement, hosted by Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna.

Stella Artois, returning as the official beer of the Festival, will feature their 9 step pouring ritual in the ZonePerfect live.create. lounge and Festival Gala Events. Official beverages of the Festival include smartwater, the official water, and Coca-Cola, the official soft drink. Rose's Mojito Cocktail Mix will be the official cocktail mix of the Festival. Spirit sponsor is Marani Premium Vodka Spirit who paired with Rose's Mojito Cocktail Mix and Rose's Cocktail Infusions, will be offering themed specialty cocktails throughout the LAFF events.

Several of Time Inc.'s biggest entertainment brands are sponsoring the Festival. PEOPLE will sponsor Behind The Scenes Screenings of Midnight Cowboy, featuring a conversation with Jon Voight, and Billy Jack, featuring a conversation with Tom Laughlin and Delores Taylor. Entertainment Weekly will sponsor Entertainment Weekly(R) First Look, featuring a special conversation titled "Sex, Booze, and Copywriting: Behind the Scenes of Mad Men." Additionally, the Entertainment Weekly editorial staff will moderate several programs throughout the Festival.

BOA Steakhouse at Luckman Plaza, a new flagship restaurant of the Innovative Dining Group will host the Festival's first annual Launch Dinner, sponsored by InStyle. The intimate event will be a celebration honoring the 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival keynote films. The esteemed chairs, celebrated host committee and 200 members of Los Angeles' creative community - from fashion to art to civic leaders - will enjoy BOA's signature steaks and a special performance by Brett Dennen to toast the 15th year of the event. The host committee includes InStyle managing editor Ariel Foxman, Dustin Hoffman, Arianna Huffington, Scarlett Johansson, Bryan Lourd, Annie Philbin, Ryan Reynolds, Gary Ross, and Nancy Utley.

Canon U.S.A. Inc. is a returning festival supporter and sponsor of the Film Independent Member Party. For over 10 years, Canon has worked with Film Independent's Membership Team on the Canon Rental Program offering members training and the opportunity to use Canon Professional Cameras for their feature, short and documentary projects! At the Member Party, Canon will have some of their newest cameras on display including the Canon 5D Mark II, their first full frame sensor DSLR that shoot HD 1080p video.

DLP Cinema will sponsor the digital Centerpiece Premiere of Public Enemies at the Village Theater. This will be DLP's third year as a sponsor of Gala presentations at the Los Angeles Film Festival.

Luxe Hotel Sunset Boulevard will host the Festival Filmmaker Retreat in Los Angeles for the first time this year. Festival Feature Directors mix with established independent feature directors prior to the Festival's start. The Filmmaker Retreat is also sponsored by Festival Supporter MySpace.

Also new to the Festival, the Houston Film Commission Texas Filmmakers' Showcase will show Festival pass holders Texas at its best with their annual collection of the best-of-Texas-made short films. The event will be free to Festival pass holders and include a special post-screening reception in the Landmark Wine Bar.

New this year, ChaCha, the mobile answers service, will sponsor the Festival's approximately 1,000 volunteers! Guests with specific questions regarding film times and locations, film credentials, restaurant recommendations, parking, family-friendly activities, etc., will be able to text a question to 242242 (spells ChaCha) or call 1.800.224.2242, and a trained human Guide will send the answer as a text message!

Festival Affiliate YOUnited Foundation will screen The Youngest Candidate directed by Jason Pollock, as part of their Donkaphant Film Festival. The YOUnited Foundation's mission is to relieve generational complacency by creating a safe yet stimulating educational outlet where audiences are encouraged to express and form opinions while becoming active in our world.

Festival Coffee Talk sponsors are BMI, Directors Guild of America, SAG Indie/Screen Actors Guild, and Writers Guild of America, West. Additional Festival support is provided by EMI Music Publishing, Entertainment Partners, FilmTracker, Hotel Angeleno, Industrial Light & Magic, and Skywalker Sound.

Event support is provided by Buttercake Bakery, Chin Chin Restaurants, Classic Party Rentals, CRE Computer & Audio-Visual Solutions, Melrose MAC, Mode HQ, Moviola, NBC Universal and Panavision.

Promotional Supporter Clear Channel has brought its portfolio of commercial radio stations, including 102.7 KIIS FM, KOST 103.5 FM, 104.3 MYfm, HOT 92.3, and Star 98.7 FM together to promote the sale of tickets and passes on air and online. Other promotional supporters include Clear Channel Outdoor, Fuel Outdoor, Hollywood & Highland, KCRW 89.9 FM, Para Todos Magazines, WithoutABox and inMotion Studios. InMotion Studios produced the Festival's Promotional Trailer and Pre-Screening Animated Trailer, along with services provided by Lee Curreri at Xacca Sounds and MiCasa Multimedia

The Los Angeles Film Festival is pleased to be part of the 2009 Ford Amphitheatre Summer Season; a multi-disciplinary arts series produced by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission in cooperation with Los Angeles County-based arts organizations. The Ford Amphitheatre Screenings include 13 Most Beautiful...Songs for Andy Warhol's Screen Tests, All Tomorrow's Parties, Black Dynamite, and Soul Power.

Westwood Village Friends of the Festival are venues and businesses located in Westwood Village that make the Los Angeles Film Festival possible. Supporters include Jack Weiss, Councilmember, 5th Council District, City of Los Angeles, Blvd 16, Center West, Geffen Playhouse, Hammer Museum, Istituto Italiano di Cultura, Landmark Theatres, Majestic Crest Theatre, Mann Theatres, Murdoch Plaza, NINETHIRTY, The Backyard at the W & Tengu, Palazzo Westwood Village, Plaza La Reina and TOPA Management Company.

Film Independent's Industry Circle Members are a prestigious group of entertainment industry companies who are championing the cause of independent film and are committed to presenting the Los Angeles Film Festival as a major community and cultural event in the city of Los Angeles. Industry Circle members include Film Finances, Focus Features, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Greenberg Glusker, HBO Documentary Films, IndieVest, Inc., Lionsgate Entertainment, Loeb &Loeb LLP, Mississippi Film Office, Overture Films, Schreck Rose Dapello Adams & Hurwitz LLP, Sony Pictures Classics, Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group, and Vivendi Entertainment.

Last year, the Festival introduced a new support program - our Festival Angels and Festival Patrons. Contributors to this program include Film LA Inc. and Paul Colichman of Regent Entertainment.

ABOUT THE 2009 LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL

Now in its fifteenth year, the Los Angeles Film Festival is widely recognized as a world-class event, showcasing the best in new American and international cinema and providing the movie-loving public with access to some of the most critically acclaimed filmmakers, film industry professionals, and emerging talent from around the world.

The Festival features unique signature programs including the Filmmaker Retreat, Film Financing Conference, Ford Amphitheatre Outdoor Screenings, Poolside Chats at the W Los Angeles - Westwood Hotel, and more. Additionally, the Festival screens short films created by high school students and has a special section devoted to music videos.

More than 70 features, 70 shorts, and 50 music videos, representing more than 30 countries, make up the main body of the Festival.

Awards are given out in the following categories at the conclusion of the Festival: Target Filmmaker Award for Best Narrative Feature with an unrestricted cash prize of $50,000 funded by Target; Target Documentary Award with an unrestricted cash prize of $50,000 funded by Target; Outstanding Performance in the Narrative Competition; Best Narrative Short Film; Best Documentary Short Film; Best Animated/Experimental Short Film; and Audience Awards for Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Feature, Best International Feature, Best Music Video, and Best Short Film.

The Los Angeles Film Festival is presented by the Los Angeles Times and is supported by Premier Sponsors Target and ZonePerfect(R) Nutrition Bars and Principal Sponsors Kodak, IFC, and Netflix. Special support is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts. American Airlines is the Official Airline Partner, WireImage is the Official Photography Agency of Film Independent, and W Los Angeles - Westwood Hotel and the Hotel Palomar are the Official Hotel Partners of the Festival.

ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT

Film Independent is a non-profit arts organization that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds an audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. Film Independent's Board of Directors, filmmakers, staff, and constituents, is comprised of an inclusive community of individuals across ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race, and sexual orientation. Anyone passionate about film can become a member, whether you are a filmmaker, industry leader, or a film lover.

With over 250 annual screenings and events, Film Independent provides access to a network of like-minded artists who are driving creativity in the film industry. Film Independent offers free Filmmaker Labs for selected writers, directors, and producers; provides cut-rate services for filmmakers; and presents year-round networking opportunities. Film Independent's mentorship and job placement program, Project:Involve, pairs emerging culturally diverse filmmakers with film industry professionals.

Film Independent produces the Los Angeles Film Festival and the Spirit Awards. For more information or to become a member, visit FilmIndependent.org.

Source: Film Independent

CONTACT: Elise Freimuth of Film Independent, +1-310-432-1287,
EFreimuth@FilmIndependent.org; or Alice Zou of mPRm Public Relations,
+1-323-933-3399, azou@mprm.com, for Film Independent

Web Site: http://www.filmindependent.org/

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