Film Independent Announces Gala Screenings For 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival

On Monday the Los Angeles Film Festival, in conjunction with Presenting Media Sponsor the Los Angeles Times and Host Partner L.A. LIVE, announced the Gala Screenings for the 2012 Festival. Additional Galas and the major line-up will be announced on May 1. The Festival is widely recognized as a world-class event, showcasing the best in new American and international cinema, and is produced by Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that also produces the Spirit Awards. The 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival will screen a diverse slate of over 200 feature films, shorts, and music videos, representing more than 30 countries, along with signature programs such as the Filmmaker Retreat, Poolside Chats, Coffee Talks, Music Events and more.

“We’re proud to shine the spotlight on unique films that embody the spirit of independence. These movies, though vastly different, all explore the importance of human connection in a rapidly changing world. Entertaining, emotional and thought provoking, there’s something for everyone—and more to come,” said Festival Director Stephanie Allain.

Focus Features’ Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, written and directed by Lorene Scafaria, will World Premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festival. The movie stars Steve Carell and Keira Knightley with Connie Britton, Adam Brody, Rob Corddry, Gillian Jacobs, Derek Luke, Melanie Lynskey, T.J. Miller, Mark Moses, Patton Oswalt, and William Petersen. Taking audiences on a humorous, moving and intimate journey against an epic backdrop of Earth’s final days, the film is Lorene’s feature directorial debut (she previously adapted Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist). Set in a too-near future where time at once stands still and is slipping away forever, the writer/director explores what people will do and how they will feel when humanity’s end is near. Focus will release the film nationwide on June 22, 2012.

Fox Searchlight’s Beasts of the Southern Wild is directed by Benh Zeitlin, written by Lucy Alibar and Benh Zeitlin, and stars Quvenzhané Wallis and Dwight Henry. In a forgotten but defiant bayou community cut off from the rest of the world by a sprawling levee, a six-year-old girl exists on the brink of orphanhood. Buoyed by her childish optimism and extraordinary imagination, she believes that the natural world is in balance with the universe until a fierce storm changes her reality. Desperate to repair the structure of her world in order to save her ailing father and sinking home, this tiny hero must learn to survive unstoppable catastrophes of epic proportions. The film won this year’s Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival and was recently selected to play in Un Certain Regard at the Cannes Film Festival. Fox Searchlight will release the film on June 27, 2012.

AFFRM and Participant’s Middle of Nowhere is written and directed by Ava DuVernay and stars newcomer Emayatzy Corinealdi, David Oyelowo, Omari Hardwick, Lorraine Toussaint, Edwina Findley and Sharon Lawrence. Middle of Nowhere is a portrait of a woman struggling between two worlds and two men in the search for herself. The film garnered Ava the Best Director Award at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. AFFRM and Participant will release the film on October 12, 2012.

As previously announced, the North American premiere of Woody Allen’s To Rome With Love will kick off the Festival on June 14, with Virgin America as the Opening Night Sponsor. Returning to downtown Los Angeles and headquartered at L.A. LIVE, the LA Film Fest runs from Thursday, June 14 to Sunday, June 24. Now in its eighteenth year, the Festival provides the movie-loving public with access to critically acclaimed filmmakers, film industry professionals, and emerging talent from around the world.

Passes are currently on sale to Film Independent members and the general public. In addition to screenings and events, Festival passes provide access to a series of networking receptions and entry to the Filmmaker Lounge, where Festival pass holders can interact with Festival filmmakers and professionals in the film community.  General admission tickets to individual films go on sale beginning May 29.  Contact the Ticket Office for passes, tickets and event information by calling 866.FILM.FEST (866.345.6337) or visit LAFilmFest.com. The Official Film Guide, the comprehensive source for all movie info, screenings, locations, and related events is produced by the Los Angeles Times.  It will top The Los Angeles Times on Sunday, June 10 in Los Angeles and Orange County and be made available throughout downtown during the ten-day event.

More information can be found at www.LAFilmFest.com