 | | | Image provided | | | | | | The 20th Annual California Independent Film Festival is right around the corner, Sept. 7-16, and CAIFF is very excited about the amazing lineup of films. Our slogan, "Something for Everyone from Around the World," holds true with over 75 films from the U.S., Canada, China, Australia, Taiwan, Japan, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. There will be something for everyone to enjoy.
"Opening Night, Thursday Sept. 7 at the Rheem Theatre will set the tone for the 20th festival," states CAIFF festival Director Lindsay Pirkle. The evening reception will begin at 6 p.m. with food provided by Cine Cuvée and Sushi Fighters.
Also included on the program will be the announcements for the 2017 Slate Awards and a tribute to Martin Landau, a longtime supporter of the California Independent Film Festival and the first CAIFF Lifetime Achievement Award honoree, who passed away on July 15.
The opening night short film, "Yours Sincerely, Lois Weber," is a delightful film from CAIFF alumna, Svetlana Cvetko. The film examines the achievements of the highest paid silent film director at Universal in 1916, a woman named Lois Weber. It is told through the fictionalized character of a young magazine photographer who hopes to impress her. This is the Northern California premiere for "Yours Sincerely, Lois Weber."
The opening night feature, "Class Rank," directed by Eric Stoltz, is also a Northern California premiere showing and the perfect film for the CAIFF celebration of 20 film festivals. Bernie is back - Bernard "Bernie" Flannigan (Skyler Gisondo), that is, in this delicious and supremely satisfying indie comedy/civics lesson/pair of teenagers and grandparents falling in love - in age appropriate ways. The film, starrring Bruce Dern, Kristin Chenoweth, Olivia Holt, and Skyler Gisondo, has been compared to the work of Wes Anderson and John Hughes.
Festival tickets are now on sale to CAIFF members and will go on sale to the public on Aug. 15. View this year's lineup of films online at www.caiff.org. It is never too early to start planning your festival schedule.
See you at the festival!
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA