THE EGYPTIAN THEATRE, HOLLYWOOD




View my videos on YouTube

Like us on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

View my profile on LinkedIn


QUICKS LINKS



For 2014 LAGFF Sponsorship opportunities, visit




Platinum Patron
 





Silver Patrons


Earth Friendly Logo  


   

 

Bronze Patrons 

 

West Coast  

   

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

Supporters

AstroBurger


Greek Film Center






Grants

 

Friends

Michael Galanakis
MG Development Group

Corinna Tsopei Fields

Aris Anagnos

Victoria Bousis

Theane Evangelis
Gibson Dunn

Law Office of Barbara P. Lazaris

Pete Zinelis
Pete's Burgers

Evyenia Karmi

Peter Demopulos


In-Kind Sponsor

Contributor





Digital

 


Fans






John's Place
(The Castanis Family)

Papa Cristo's Greek Grill
  

Media Sponsors



KPFK LOGO

Greek Hollywood Reporter
 
 





Auction Sponsors













 




 
 

Thursday, May 22, 2014
IN THIS NEWSLETTER
Meet Our Industry Panelists
Memorial Day GOLD PASS Sale!
Conversation with Valorie Massalas
Amazing Auction Live this Sunday
Industry Program Schedule
Festival Schedule, Tickets, Lineup

MEET OUR INDUSTRY PANELISTS

The 2nd Annual International Project Discovery Forum offers a variety of programs to the visiting filmmakers whose preselected projects are presented to a panel of prestigious professionals. Included are free industry events, open to the public, offering incredible educational and networking opportunities. Our way of giving back to the community and bolstering the next generation of filmmakers!  

  

PARTICIPANTS

Joseph Beyer (Digital Initiatives, Director, Sundance Institute) currently works as Director of Digital Initiatives for Sundance Institute where he managed the development team and launch of the Sundance Institute #ArtistServices Initiative under the direction of Executive Director Keri Putnam and the Board of Trustees. #ArtistServices provides exclusive creative funding, distribution, marketing and theatrical support to 6,000+ Sundance Institute alumni artists.

 
Bobette Buster (Screenwriter, Busterfilms), Group Presentation, is the author of DO STORY: How To Tell Your Story So The World Listens (Do Book Co., 2013), and is currently producing the feature documentary SOUND! THE MOVIE. She is a regular story consultant for major studios including Disney, Cattleya (Rome) and Lazennac Prods (Paris). Buster is both a graduate of and Adjunct Professor in the USC Peter Stark Producing Program, where she created the first MFA curriculum for Feature Film and Television Development, "The Art and Craft of Cinematic Storytelling." 
 
Paul Federbush (International Director, Feature Film Program, Sundance Institute) joined the Sundance Institute last year with 17 years experience as an acquisitions and distribution executive, spanning both the independent and studio film communities. Federbush worked hands-on with exhibitors and media outlets to market and distribute nine independent documentary and feature films while partnered in distribution company Red Flag Releasing, as well as serving as Senior Vice President of Production and Acquisitions at Warner Bros' specialized division, Warner Independent Pictures (WIP).
 
Susanna Fogel is a Los Angeles-based writer-director who currently serves as co-creator and executive producer of Chasing Life, an hour-long television series for Lionsgate and ABC Family that will premiere on June 10th, 2014. Previously, Fogel and writing partner Joni Lefkowitz coauthored several scripts for film and television including the HBO pilot The Washingtonienne (2008) and an original webseries for Warner Brothers entitled Joni and Susanna, which she also directed. Fogel recently directed her first feature film, LIFE PARTNERS.
  
Anna Germanidi (Festival Director, Slamdance Film Festival) grew up in Athens, Greece, where her early love for film got her involved with the Athens International Film Festival. Now the Festival Director of Slamdance Film Festival in Los Angeles, Anna also programs for the festival and screens for the Los Angeles Film Festival.
 



Steak House (Producer)
, IPDF One-on-One, produced the indie favorite BY HOOK OR BY CROOK (2002), a Sundance premiere and five-time Best Feature winner. Her films have long enjoyed success on the festival circuit, including at the Los Angeles Film Festival, Tribeca, Outfest and four films at Sundance. House runs the LA based Steakhaus Productions with Dominic Ottersbach and Bryan T. Donovan. Their indie romantic comedy, WEATHER GIRL, premiered at Slamdance 2009 and sold to Screen Media, Regent & Lifetime. Their current film HALF TRUTH is a semi-finalist in the Netflix FIND Your Voice competition.
 

Athena Kalkopoulou (San Francisco Film Society), IPDF Panelist/Film development Roundtable, oversees the Film Society's Project Development and Documentary program providing consultation and support to hundreds of filmmakers throughout all stages in the production of their projects - from conception of an idea to the development and execution of effective fundraising and audience engagement strategies. She is a part of the San Francisco Film Society's Filmmaker360 team that has recently funded SHORT TERM 12 (2013), FRUITVALE STATION (2013), BEAST OF THE SOUTHERN WILD (2012) and CUTIE AND THE BOXER (2013) among others.


Currently a talent manager at Thruline Entertainment, Christina Karakasidis, One-on-One, has been working in talent representation for more than seven years. Upon moving to Los Angeles in 2008, she assisted JJ Harris and Graciella Sanchez at One Talent Management. In 2009, she began working under Ron West, a partner and founder of Thruline Entertainment. After being promoted to manager, she developed a client list including Christian Serratos (The Walking Dead),Valorie Curry (The Following), Laz Alonso (FAST AND FURIOUS), Annabeth Gish (The Bridge), Liza Lapira (Super Fun Night), AJ Buckley (Justified), Scott Haze (CHILD OF GOD) and Jordan Hayes (Helix.)
 
Stelana Kliris introduces in a case study her film COMMITTED, that will be presented at the 8th Los Angeles Greek Film Festival. Kliris is a South African Cypriot writer/director with a background in editing and production on international films and commercial productions. COMMITTED (2014) is her first feature film.
 


Ana Kokourina (VP of Production/Fox International), IPDF Panelist, 
is the Vice President of Fox International Productions. Fox International Productions is a division of 20th century Fox that develops, produces and distributes local language films worldwide.
 
 
Missy Laney (#ArtistServices, Sundance Institute) has guided over 100 artists through successful Kickstarter campaigns totaling $4.5 million dollars since joining Sundance Institute in 2012, including Sean and Andrea Fine's Oscar-winner INNOCENTE, Jehane Noujaim's THE SQUARE and Chloe Zhao's LEE. She began her career at Sundance in the esteemed Feature Film Program and was later recruited to join the Institute's #ArtistServices, a creative distribution initiative working with iTunes, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon and other partners.
 
Eddie Richey (Screenwriter), Screenplay Feedback, has worked 21 years as a screenwriter, including a stint in TV. Currently, he has two feature scripts and two TV pilots "in play." He blogs about neglected writers, films, and musicians for Jill Cutler's Hollywood Journal.


After earning an MFA in Film Producing,
Srdjan Stakic (Producer), IPDF Panelist, joined YOMYOMF, a Justin Lin company, where he served as the in-house line producer/producer, overseeing production on 40 web series each year. Stakic also executive produced YELLOW FACE (2013), a feature film based on a Pulitzer Prize-nominated play by Tony Award�-winning playwright David Henry Hwang. Most recently, Stakic started his own production company with filmmaker Kai Barry, and they just wrapped on a feature film called NEWCOMER starring award-winning Anthony LaPaglia.

 

Matthew Takata (Manager, Feature Film Program, International, Sundance Institute), One-on-One, is the Manager for the Feature Film Program's international work at Sundance Institute. His focus is on international outreach and selection for the Institute's Screenwriters and Directors Labs, and the annual Sundance Institute | Mahindra Global Filmmaking Award.
 


Kelly Thomas (Producer/VP, Incubator Initiative), IPDF Panelist/Film Development Roundtable, has more than 10 years of experience producing independent features and is VP of JuntoBox Films' Incubator Initiative. Prior to JuntoBox, she was the Producer in Residence for Film Independent's Artist Development programs and in that capacity managed and curated labs for writers, directors, producers, and documentary filmmakers. Kelly has worked with acclaimed directors Rodrigo Garcia, Phedon Papamichael, Robin Swicord, and Brad Silberling.


CONVERSATION WITH CASTING DIRECTOR VALORIE MASSALAS
An open forum for actors, filmmakers, and anybody else who is interested in cinematic arts, to discuss the process of cast selection in film and television with the award-winning Casting Director, Valorie Massalas.

 

In her prolific career as a casting director and producer, Valorie Massalas co-produced and cast the internationally acclaimed GODS AND MONSTERS (1998), nominated for three Oscars, including Ian McKellen for Best Actor, Lynn Redgrave for Best Supporting Actress. Previously, on CHAPLIN (1992), Massalas cast Robert Downey, Jr., who also received an Oscar nomination. Massalas won an Artios Award, the Casting Society of America's highest honor, for the NBC television film 'Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story', Starring Glenn Close, who won an EMMY. She was recognized again by the Casting Society when she was nominated for Outstanding Casting for Rob Marshall's 'ANNIE' starring Kathy Bates, Kristin Chenoweth, and Alan Cummings. She also received an EMMY nod for Outstanding Casting for a Movie or Mini-Series in this case.  

 

On the occasion of the NBC television anthology series 'Amazing Stories', Massalas collaborated with several talented directors, including Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, and Clint Eastwood. She gave Kiefer Sutherland his first acting job in Los Angeles in this anthology along with Kevin Costner, and cast Sharon Stone in her first breakout role in Paul Verhoeven's TOTAL RECALL (1990).  

 

In 2005 Massalas started a partnership with Ron Digman: Massalas/Digman Casting. They cast a string of feature films for Screen Gems, including OBSESSED (2009), starring Beyonce & Idris Elba; ABOUT LAST NIGHT (2013), starring Kevin Hart, Michael Ealy, and Paula Patton; WEDDING RINGER (2013), starring Kevin Hart & Josh Gad; and in 2011, two season's of Lifetime's television drama series 'The Client List'. Most recently for Lifetime, a TV Movie OUTLAW PROPHET, Starring Tony Goldwyn, Molly Parker, Martin Landau and Joey King (2014). Massalas and Digman are also producing independent features. Their first film is FAMILY WEEKEND (2013), Starring Kristin Chenoweth, Matthew Modine, Shirley Jones, and Joey King.  

 

A Conversation with Award Winning Casting Director, Valorie Massalas
Saturday, June 7, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM, Rigler/Egyptian Theatre
Free event and open to the public


SCHEDULE OF INDUSTRY PROGRAMS
PANEL
Saturday, June 7, 12:00 - 2:00 PM, Spielberg/Egyptian Theatre 
Industry Roundtable - Feature Film Development
Free event open to the public
Representatives of renowned institutions such as the San Francisco Film Society, Slamdance, Film Independent and new initiatives such as Juntobox Films Incubator present their development programs and share their goals in supporting independent filmmakers. 

Participants: Paul Federbush (International Director, Feature Film Program, Sundance Institute), Anna Germanidi (Festival Director, Slamdance Film Festival), Athena Kalkopoulou (San Francisco Film Society), Kelly Thomas (Producer/VP, Incubator Initiative).

 

Saturday, June 7, 2:30 - 4:00 PM, Spielberg/Egyptian Theatre Industry 
Roundtable - TV/Web series
Free event open to the public
Serial content production models are constantly changing, always exploring new media platforms as well as creating exciting content and viewing experiences. | Presented by Susanna Fogel. 
  
Thursday, June 5, 2:00-3:00 PM, Spielberg/Egyptian Theatre 
Special Focus - Audience Engagement & Crowd Funding
Free event open to the public 
A discussion on what makes a successful crowd funding film campaign and how to engage your audience through different platforms.
Participants: Joseph Beyer (Digital Initiatives, Director, Sundance Institute), Missy Laney (#ArtistServices, Sundance Institute). 
 
Thursday, June 5, 4:00-5:00 PM, Spielberg/Egyptian Theatre
Case Study - Microbudget Filmmaking
Free event open to the public
Presented by Stelana Kliris.   

Seating availability is on a first come first serve basis.


MEMORIAL DAY ALL-ACCESS VIP GOLD PASS SPECIAL OFFER
null For a limited time, buy an All-Access VIP Gold Pass and receive 5 tickets for your friends to any General Admission screening. A $360 value for $200. Click here to purchase now!
                                     
Memorable Benefits:
- 29 innovative, bold, new and exciting films
- Opening Night gala and reception featuring Vassy and Gus Sverkos
- Closing Night gala & reception featuring Tripping Souls and Gus Sverkos
- Gold Pass ONLY Filmmakers Brunch at the residence of Consul General of Greece
- AHC and HAMDS exclusive receptions
- Access to all Industry events, panels and workshops
- VIP preferred seating
- VIP Hospitality Lounge
- VIP Hospitality Liaison

Limited 5 day offer, ends on Memorial Day May 26! On sale now - $200
*Patrons who previously purchased a GOLD PASS will also receive 5 General Admission tickets.

To reserve your 2014 All-Access Gold Pass, click here.
 


AMAZING AUCTION GOES LIVE THIS SUNDAY - MAY 25

This week's featured destination - Westin Resort, Costa Navarino

Our 2014 Auction offers dream vacations in some of the most beautiful, elegant and luxurious environments in the world.  Bidding will go live May 25 and closes June 10, so take a peek and get ready to make your dream vacation a reality!

Fanari Villas Take a flight of the imagination before the incredible vistas of Santorini island, a feast for your senses. | www.fanarivillas.gr

Grand Forest Metsovo Experience a hotel and spa that is in perfect harmony with nature, perched on a hillside overlooking breathtaking views and nestled in a pristine pine forest high in the mountains of Epirus.|www.grand-forest.gr

Imaret Hotel At the crossroads of East and West relish in the magic of the arabesque and an exquisite sense of beauty. | www.imaret.gr.

Porto Carras Grand Resorts A five-star experience of amazing luxury in one of the greenest and brightest corners of Greece | www.portocarras.com

Westin Resort Costa Navarino is located next to the Ionian Sea coastline of The Dunes Beach, and is inspired by old Messinian mansions that spring from nature and create an ambiance of genuine hospitality.
www.westincostanavarino.com/

Kinsterna Hotel & Spa Where luxury and history converge at the medieval town of Monemvasia. | www.kinsternahotel.gr

Aristi Mountain Resort Enjoy a gorgeous resort in the area of Epirus where tradition meets the rustic and and enchanting environment of the Greek high mountains. |  www.aristi.eu

Mykonos Ammos Hotel Imagine the sea breeze and the golden sun slinking away from your window or the sense of freedom of stepping barefoot out of your room right on the beach. | www.mykonosammoshotel.com

Kyrimai Hotel Experience the nostalgic past, comfort, simplicity and country chic elegance in the newly renovated and historic Kyrimai Hotel in the unspoiled region of Mani in the southern Peloponnesos, Greece. |
www.kyrimai.gr

Avalon Hotel in Thessaloniki, Greece offers spacious and modern rooms, casino and Mediterranean-style mall. A comfortable and convenient retreat in Thessaloniki.

To visit our auction page and preview these destinations, click here.


2014 LAGFF FILM SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED

A day-by-day schedule of all 29 films is now available online. Purchase tickets to individual program and special events, including our festival kickoff on Wednesday, June 4 and the prestigious Orpheus Awards on Sunday, June 8. DAY BY DAY SCHEDULE | LIST OF FILMS | BOX OFFICE

Reserving tickets in advance is encouraged - and remember the All-Access Gold Pass includes ALL film screenings, receptions and an unprecedented number of special events during the 5-day Film Festival.


Special thanks go to ELMA, an organization dedicated to the promotion of European Cinema in America.

We are grateful to Consul General of Cyprus Andreas Kyprianides for his continued support and tireless efforts to promote Hellenism.

We wish to express our immense gratitude to Consul General of Greece Elisabeth Fotiadou for her unending support of the arts and culture, her unique vision, contribution to the promotion of Hellenism, and her dedication to LAGFF.
  

Join Our Mailing List!