Editor

The Opening Night Hoop-La! begins Thursday February 28th at 12:00pm with feature and short films simultaneously screening in the 3 theatres at the Raleigh Studios.
To name a few Screenings: at 4:00 is Conchita Nora Villa’s Alondra Smiles (about a young girl’s quinceanera jeopardized by a jealous cousin); followed by Dennis Fallon’s All Roads Lead Home (the story of a troubled girl who questions her value in life) at 6:00; and at 8:00, 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, 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 4:00pm. 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 6:00pm at the infamous, Raleigh Studios Cantina.
During the day in At the Cantina, you’ll find Panel Mania.
Friday, February 29th, 3-5:00pm Moderator Jamie Parker with Ready, Set, Act! Fulfilling Roles Found in Family Film. This actors 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.
Saturday, March 1st, 10-12 noon, Moderator Joe Doughrity. 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, Moderator Ashley Beyer. 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, Moderator Kim Turney 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.
Sunday, March 2nd , 11-1pm Moderator Suzanne Shoemaker. Show Me the Money: Financing the Family Film. Topics will range from how to raise money to make family films to getting family films into the market place.
Sunday, March 2nd, 1-3pm, Moderator Suzanne Shoemaker By Any Means Necessary: Distributing the Family Film. 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 Films, Best Short Films and Best Student Short Films 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.
This year’s festival is chock full of exciting events for families, filmmakers, producers, distributors and film lovers alike. You can select from $10 for a General Admission ticket to one film screening, on up to a $250 for an All-Festival Pass. Just visit www.iffilmfest.org.