LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL (LAFF), one of the largest film festivals in Southern California (and around the country), with an audience of over 80,000 attendees each summer, returns to Westwood!

A world-class meeting ground for film audiences, critics, scholars, and filmmakers in a fun, relaxed, and creative atmosphere, LAFF holds approximately 100 events, parties, and galas during its ten days.

Once again, LAFF will provide Audience Awards for international and domestic features and short films, as well as the Target Filmmaker Award and the Target Documentary Award, each worth $50,000 in cash prizes awarded to the director of the winning American narrative feature and the director of the winning American documentary feature, respectively.

For all you filmmakers out there, LAFF flies feature filmmakers to the Skywalker Ranch in Northern California for a special two-day Filmmaker Retreat, hosted by the Festival Guest Director. Previous Guest Directors include George Lucas, Sydney Pollock and Alfonso Cuaron. For the Festival itself, LAFF provides 3 nights of lodging for domestic and international feature directors, and transportation for international feature filmmakers.

WHEN: June 21 to July 1, 2007

SUBMISSION DEADLINES:

February 9, 2007 - Short Films and Music Videos

March 1, 2007 - Feature Length Films
 

For complete submission guidelines, check out www.lafilmfest.com.

LAFF is a program of Film Independent, a non-profit film organization that provides year-round support for over 6,000 members and the indie film community. Mentor programs, filmmaker labs, and equipment training help filmmakers master the art and craft of filmmaking. Film Independent also presents the Independent Spirit Awards, honoring the best independent films and filmmakers of the year.

Attracting everyone from first time filmmakers to veterans, LAFF has given us such groundbreaking films as 2006 Documentary Feature winner DELIVER US FROM EVIL by Amy Berg (which just happens to be up for an Oscar), Don Argott's ROCK SCHOOL, GOYS & GIRLS GUIDE TO GETTING DOWN by first time filmmaker Paul Sapiano, WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR? courtesy of Santa Monica director Chris Paine as well as SWEDISH AUTO by Derek Sieg. Special presentations and galas at the 2006 Festival included LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA and AN EVENING WITH AL GORE: AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH.

Tickets will be available to the public for individual screenings and the gala Opening Night, Closing Night and Centerpeice features. For more information, check out www.lafilmfest.com.