I was a fairly casual fan of the series. I was born the year Episode IV: A New Hope first hit theaters, I rented the original trilogy on VHS as a kid, and my friends and I watched the films regularly in college. Oh, and I had a lifesize Han Solo cardboard cutout in my first apartment. And at one point I collected the cards… (Okay, upon further reflection, I was a medium-sized fan.) So I well remember the anticipation and frustration provoked by Lucas’ misadventures in the late 1990s and early 2000s that seemed to undermine the greatness of his creation.

The People vs George Lucas is an often-hilarious and touching celebration of film and fandom, and poses the question: Does Lucas alone control the rights to his masterpiece, or, once something becomes a part of the global cultural zeitgeist, do the people who made it a success/were most affected by it have some say? *

As the film progressed, I changed my mind quite a few times regarding this central theme — and that, to me, is a good indication of a well-produced and thoughtful documentary.

*edited to add: especially when it comes to the altered re-releases, which, some argue, fundamentally changed the characters (*cough* Han)

–

Sarah Skilton

http://sarahskilton.blogspot.com/2010/06/recommended-viewing-people-vs-george.html

L.A.TIMES PARKING GARAGE

• 213 South Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA
• (one block from Downtown Independent, 2.5 blocks from REDCAT)
• Just tell the garage attendance that you’re attending the Los Angeles Film Festival and parking is FREE.

Only for:

• Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 18, 19 and 20
• Friday and Saturday, June 25 and 26

The narrative jury consists of director Charles Burnett (Killer of Sheep, The Glass Shield), screenwriter/producer Larry Karaszewski (Ed Wood, The People vs. Larry Flynt), and LA Weekly film critic Ella Taylor.  The documentary jury is comprised of director/actress Karen Moncrief (Blue Car, The Dead Girl), director Arthur Dong (Licensed to Kill, Hollywood Chinese), and film critic and journalist Robert Abele.  Writer/performer Sandra Tsing Loh (solo show “Mother on Fire,” novel If You Lived Here, You’d Be Home By Now), actor Andrew Garfield (Boy A, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus) and director Tommy O’Haver (An American Crime, Ella Enchanted) round out the shorts jury.

“I’m so excited to have all these great talents join us at the Festival this year,” said Artistic Director David Ansen.  “We have a strong competition line-up with more international feature films and shorts than ever before, so we’re sure to have some lively cinematic discussions.”

The competition winners will be announced at the Awards Brunch at CHAYA Downtown on Saturday, June 26, with the audience winners to be announced the following day.

Visit www.LAFilmFest.com for screening dates and times, and to purchase tickets and passes.

ABOUT THE 2010 LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL

Now in its sixteenth year, the Los Angeles Film Festival is widely recognized as a world-class event, showcasing the best of new American and international cinema and providing the movie-loving public with access to some of the most critically acclaimed filmmakers, film industry professionals, and emerging talent from around the world.

The Festival features unique signature programs including the Filmmaker Retreat, Ford Amphitheater Outdoor Screenings, Poolside Chats, and more.  Additionally, the Festival screens short films created by high school students and has a special section devoted to music videos.

Over 200 features, shorts, and music videos from more than 40 countries make up the main body of the Festival.

The Los Angeles Film Festival is presented by the Los Angeles Times and is supported by L.A. LIVE and Premier Sponsor ZonePerfect® Nutrition Bars and Principal Sponsors Kodak and Subaru.  Special support is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and The Academy Foundation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.  The Standard, Downtown LA is the official Host Hotel, American Airlines is the Official Airline Partner, WireImage is the Official Photography Agency, and PR Newswire is the Official Breaking News Service of Film Independent. 

More information can be found at LAFilmFest.com

ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT

Film Independent is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts organization that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds an audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. Film Independent’s Board of Directors, filmmakers, staff, and constituents are comprised of an inclusive community of individuals across ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race, and sexual orientation. Anyone passionate about film can become a member, whether you are a filmmaker, industry leader, or film lover.

With over 250 annual screenings and events, Film Independent provides access to a network of like-minded artists who are driving creativity in the film industry. Film Independent offers free Filmmaker Labs for selected writers, directors, and producers; provides cut-rate services for filmmakers; and presents year-round networking opportunities. Film Independent’s mentorship and job placement program, Project:Involve, pairs emerging culturally diverse filmmakers with film industry professionals.

Film Independent produces the Los Angeles Film Festival, celebrating the best of American and international cinema, and the Spirit Awards, a celebration honoring films and filmmakers that embody independence and dare to challenge the status quo.

For more information or to become a member, visit FilmIndependent.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE CONTACT:

Film Independent:

Elise Freimuth, PR Manager, 310.432.1287, EFreimuth@FilmIndependent.org

Whitney Kimmel, Media Accreditation, 310.432.1256, WKimmel@FilmIndependent.org

Ginsberg/Libby

Chris Libby, 323-645-6811, chris.libby@ginsberglibby.com

1. LA Film Festival Attendees will be stopped on Georgia and asked, “where are you going?”
2. Please advise Parking Attendants you are going to the “LA Film Festival”.
3. You will be directed to the correct entrance.
4. This will ensure they get the $8 parking rate.
5. There will be no public viewing of the game in the plaza area.

Please be advised, LAPD and LADOT plan on the following street closures for Thursday.

* Access to the West Garage will be from the Private Road and Georgia St.

1st Quarter Closure Area

* Chick Hearn Court – from Albany St. to Figueroa St.

Halftime Closure Area

* All of Cherry Street
* Figueroa Street – from Olympic Blvd. to Pico Blvd
* 12th St. – From Figueroa St. to Flower St
* 12th St. – From Cherry St. to Albany St

4th Quarter Closure Area

* Pico Blvd. – From Albany St. to Flower Street
* Figueroa St. – From Olympic Blvd to Washington Blvd
* Flower St. – From Olympic Blvd to Venice Blvd.

- 10 Filmmakers Also Selected for Fast Track to take place during 2010 Los Angeles Film Festival -

LOS ANGELES (June 16, 2010) – Today Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards and the Los Angeles Film Festival, announced writer/director Jenny Deller and producer Kristin Fairweather as the recipients of the inaugural Alfred P. Sloan grant, awarded to one project in Fast Track, the annual film financing market that takes place during the Los Angeles Film Festival.

In addition, Film Independent also announced the filmmakers and film projects selected for its 8th annual Fast Track program, sponsored by Eastman Kodak Company.  Taking place during the Los Angeles Film Festival, presented by the Los Angeles Times, and running from June 17-27 in downtown Los Angeles, Fast Track is an intensive, three-day film-financing market. During programmed one-on-one meetings, participants are connected with established financiers, production companies, agents, managers, and other film industry professionals who can move their current projects forward.

“We are thrilled to have such tremendous support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation for our Fast Track filmmakers,” said Josh Welsh, Director of Talent Development for Film Independent.  “The program has given so many filmmakers the guidance and resources they needed to complete their projects.

The following projects and filmmakers have been selected for 2010 Fast Track:

1. The Dead Circus – Adam Davenport, Writer/Director
2. El Flaco – Jeff Seymann Gilbert, Writer/Director; David Newsom, Producer
3. 3. Future Weather – Jenny Deller, Writer/Director/Producer, Kristin Fairweather, Producer
4. 4. Gravity – Marah Strauch, Producer/Director; Eric Bruggemann, Producer 
5. 5. The Life and Mind of Mark DeFriest – Gabriel London, Director
6. 6. Look for the Light – Topaz Adizes, Writer/Director; Tim Hetherington, Producer
7. 7. Love Marriage – Soman Chainani, Writer/Director; Ophira Dagan, Producer
8. 8. The Stones – Ana Lily Amirpour, Producer/Writer/Director
9. 9. The Unexpected – Tom Putnam, Writer/Director/Producer
10. 10. You’re A Big Girl Now – Mynette Louie, Producer; Tze Chun, Writer/Director

For detailed information on the filmmakers and projects in Fast Track, please visit FilmIndependent.org.

Fast Track is free to accepted filmmakers, and upon completion, participants become Film Independent Fellows, and receive year-round support, including access to Film Independent’s annual film educational offerings, on-staff Filmmaker Advisor, and the Los Angeles Film Festival

Current industry participants include representatives from Ambush Entertainment, Anonymous Content, Apparition, Art Linson Productions, Bold Films, Bona Fide Productions, Disney, Eastman Kodak, Far Hills Pictures, Film Finances Inc, Film Rites, Film Sales Company, Focus Features, Fortis Films, Fortitude, Fox Searchlight, Future Film Group, The Gold Company, Greenberg Glusker, Greenberg Taurig, Hunting Lane Films, Hyde Park Entertainment, ICM, IFC Films, Inception Media Group, ITVS, Junction Films, Lionsgate, Magnolia Pictures, Mandalay Pictures, Myriad Pictures, Newbridge Film Capital, Loeb & Loeb, Orange Entertainment, Overture Films, Participant Productions, Persistent Entertainment, Plan B Entertainment, Principato Young Entertainment, RCR Pictures, Roadside Attractions, Silverwood Films, Super Crispy Films, Tower Hill Entertainment, Valhalla Motion Pictures, Voltage Pictures, Volume One, William Morris Endeavor, XYZ Films, Zuckerman Entertainment, and 120 db Films

Recent projects developed through Fast Track include Cherien Dabis’ Amreeka, which was nominated for three Spirit Awards this year; Courtney Hunt’s Academy Award and Spirit Award-nominated Frozen River; Jennifer Westfeldt’s Ira and Abby, which had its world premiere at the 2006 Los Angeles Film Festival; Jessica Sanders’ award-winning documentary After Innocence; and Scott Prendergast’s feature Kabluey, which had its world premiere at the 2007 Los Angeles Film Festival.

Film Independent will also release its annual New Talent Guide on its website starting Sunday, June 20 at www.FilmIndependent.org/findtalentguide and on-site at the Los Angeles Film Festival.  The Guide profiles 87 Film Independent Fellows accepted into its talent development program over the last year.

ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT

Film Independent is a non-profit arts organization that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds an audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. Film Independent’s Board of Directors, filmmakers, staff, and constituents, is comprised of an inclusive community of individuals across ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race, and sexual orientation. Anyone passionate about film can become a member, whether you are a filmmaker, industry leader, or a film lover.

With over 250 annual screenings and events, Film Independent provides access to a network of like-minded artists who are driving creativity in the film industry. Film Independent offers free Filmmaker Labs for selected writers, directors, and producers; provides cut-rate services for filmmakers; and presents year-round networking opportunities. Film Independent’s mentorship and job placement program, Project:Involve, pairs emerging culturally diverse filmmakers with film industry professionals.

Film Independent produces the Los Angeles Film Festival, celebrating the best of American and international cinema and the Spirit Awards, a celebration honoring films and filmmakers that embody independence and dare to challenge the status quo.

For more information or to become a member, visit FilmIndependent.org.

One-Touch Functionality Allows Users to Preview and Rate Films, Get Directions, Check Traffic, Discover Special Discounts, Make Restaurant and Hotel Reservations, Order Tickets, Access VIP Content and More

LOS ANGELES (June 15, 2010) – Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards, the Los Angeles Film Festival, and year-round artist development programs and exhibition events, along with mobile software company MacroView Labs, announced the launch of the official 2010 Los Angeles Film Festival smartphone apps. The free, location-aware apps give users real-time updates about hundreds of films, filmmakers, news items and events happening in L.A.

“The Los Angeles Film Festival app is an entertaining and simple way to engage our audiences, encourage an online dialogue, and enhance their festival-going experience,” said Festival Director Rebecca Yeldham.  “It’s also the perfect method of helping attendees navigate our new Festival footprint downtown.”

“This is an exciting step forward for event and entertainment industry apps,” said Aron Ezra, CEO of MacroView Labs. “Unlike a simple information guide, this allows attendees to have a live, two-way dialogue with the Festival and the surrounding city. People can actually interact with Festival staff and local businesses via the app as they enjoy the films. Attendees get a virtual concierge to show them around, give them inside tips, and respond to their requests.”

The native iPhone application is available now for download in the Apple iTunes Store at:

http://itunes.com/apps/losangelesfilmfestival2010.

The mobile web app can be accessed from Android phones, recent Blackberry phones and many other modern Internet-capable smartphones at: http://app.lafilmfest.com.

This year’s 11-day Festival, presented by the Los Angeles Times, marks the inaugural year in the heart of L.A.’s vibrant Downtown.  The 16^th annual Festival will be unveiling world premieres of studio films, free outdoor movies, fun treasures from the past, terrific new international films, and exciting conversations with guest artists.

Application Features Include:

• INNOVATIVE SORTING & IN-APP SEARCH - Find movies by title, director, genre, venue, section, or country with full summaries and key credits. Still having trouble finding what you want? Use the integrated search bar to find films, places, events, or people at the Festival.

• DAILY SHOW SCHEDULE – Festival Films, music in the ZonePerfect live.create. lounge.  Handy. Cool. Pretty self-explanatory.

• ORDER TICKETS & PASSES – Touch to call the Coca-Cola Ticket Center and place your ticket order.

• INTERACTIVE MAPS – Find your exact location and get directions to any key area of the festival. View satellite maps, road maps, or a hybrid of both. You can even drop a pin to bookmark any location you choose so that you can remember where you parked or how to get to your favorite theater.  Almost every key Festival location is mapped for easy navigation.

• MY L.A. FILM FESTIVAL – Bookmark any film, event, map, or just about anything else for later viewing in your custom favorites folder.

• STAFF DIRECTORY – Need to locate key Festival staff with a pressing question?  Now we’re just a button away.

• DOWNTOWN DESTINATIONS – Browse through dozens of restaurants and all our key venues for this year’s Festival.

• REAL-TIME WEATHER & TRAFFIC UPDATES – The weather should be great — the traffic might not be. Check current conditions under the “Get There” section.

• WATCH TRAILERS – There’s some great ones in here.

• FIND BIG DISCOUNTS – Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and partners, you’ll find discounts on everything from parking to rental cars to airline travel to hotel stays to bars & restaurants across the city.

• GIVE BACK – Volunteer, donate, or rate content within the app to let us know what you think.

• VIP CONTENT - Filmmakers, press, and other groups can unlock private, passcode- protected content only accessible to them.

• TWITTER, FACEBOOK & TELL-A-FRIEND INTEGRATION - Check out our live Twitter & Facebook content right from the app, or send any page in the app to a friend.

Visit www.LAFilmFest.com for screening dates and times, and to purchase tickets and passes.

ABOUT THE 2010 LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL

Now in its sixteenth year, the Los Angeles Film Festival is widely recognized as a world-class event, showcasing the best of new American and international cinema and providing the movie-loving public with access to some of the most critically acclaimed filmmakers, film industry professionals, and emerging talent from around the world.

The Festival features unique signature programs including the Filmmaker Retreat, Ford Amphitheater Outdoor Screenings, Poolside Chats, and more.  Additionally, the Festival screens short films created by high school students and has a special section devoted to music videos.

Over 200 features, shorts, and music videos from more than 40 countries make up the main body of the Festival.

The Los Angeles Film Festival is presented by the Los Angeles Times and is supported by L.A. LIVE and Premier Sponsor ZonePerfect® Nutrition Bars and Principal Sponsors Kodak and Subaru.  Special support is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and The Academy Foundation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.  The Standard, Downtown LA is the official Host Hotel, American Airlines is the Official Airline Partner, WireImage is the Official Photography Agency, and PR Newswire is the Official Breaking News Service of Film Independent. 

More information can be found at LAFilmFest.com

ABOUT MACROVIEW LABS INC.

MacroView Labs is a mobile software company that helps organizations and individuals understand and interact with each other in the mobile world. The company creates dynamic, location-aware apps for cell phones and mobile devices that organizations can distribute to their customers, employees & other target audiences.

Unlike standard apps, the mobile software built by MacroView Labs can aggregate hundreds of different functionalities into a single mobile application. This give users an enhanced real-world experience by providing them with schedules, GPS maps, games, passkey-protected content, activities and other concierge services. Clients can advise, entertain, sell to and learn from their key stakeholders. The San Francisco-based company is privately held. More information is at www.MacroViewLabs.com. To watch a short demo video of the platform, visit http://www.macroviewlabs.com/demo/video.

ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT

Film Independent is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts organization that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds an audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. Film Independent’s Board of Directors, filmmakers, staff, and constituents are comprised of an inclusive community of individuals across ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race, and sexual orientation. Anyone passionate about film can become a member, whether you are a filmmaker, industry leader, or film lover.

With over 250 annual screenings and events, Film Independent provides access to a network of like-minded artists who are driving creativity in the film industry. Film Independent offers free Filmmaker Labs for selected writers, directors, and producers; provides cut-rate services for filmmakers; and presents year-round networking opportunities. Film Independent’s mentorship and job placement program, Project:Involve, pairs emerging culturally diverse filmmakers with film industry professionals.

Film Independent produces the Los Angeles Film Festival, celebrating the best of American and international cinema, and the Spirit Awards, a celebration honoring films and filmmakers that embody independence and dare to challenge the status quo.

For more information or to become a member, visit FilmIndependent.org.