Annual tribute to Indie film industry expands its offerings
Logan Broyles | Downtown News
Film buffs and celebrity hounds alike rejoice, the 11th annual San Diego Film Festival is coming to town, Sept. 26 – 30.
Held at multiple locations throughout the historic Gaslamp Quarter and La Jolla, this five-day tribute to the local independent film industry will feature red carpet events with celebrities, industry panels, opening and closing parties at some of the hottest venues in town, and screenings of more than 100 independent films.
Attendees can also kick back at daily VIP lounges featuring cocktails and hosted appetizers, or they can swing by and attend post-screening Q&A’s with their favorite filmmakers.
With a new board of directors, this year promises to be special, including expanded categories such as the brand-new Native American and Music sections. This will also be the first time in the festival’s decade-plus existence that events will be held outside of the Gaslamp Quarter, as the festival expands to the jewel of the sea that is La Jolla.
The festival kicks off at an opening night where guests can walk the red carpet, attend the feature-film premiere held at the Gaslamp’s Reading Theater, and then let loose at the opening night premiere party at the always bumping FLUXX Nightclub. Each party will feature a one hour hosted bar, so all event attendees must be at least 21 years of age.
On the second day a tribute event will be held at the La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art for the featured attendee of the festival, Academy Award-nominated director Gus Van Sant, whose films will be showcased throughout the festival.
Locals will love the “Almost Famous” Block Party & Screening on the third night, a tribute to Cameron Crowe’s classic film about an aspiring young journalist from San Diego who writes for Rolling Stone Magazine.
The streets of the Gaslamp Quarter will be transported back in time to a 1970’s-themed street party complete with live music and a screening of the film.
Saturday evening will feature a Filmmaker’s Brew-Ha-Ha and Award Ceremony, giving fans a chance to throw back some great local beers and mingle with the local film industry.
More than 15,000 people are expected to attend and 150 filmmakers will be screening over 100 independent films. Events will be open to patrons, sponsors, and VIP and Festival day pass holders. Single screening passes, five-day screening passes, Festival passes and VIP passes can be purchased online.
The final film lineup and screening schedule will be announced Sept. 1.
Contributing writer Logan Broyles is the former managing editor of Pacific San Diego Magazine and Editor-in-Chief of Construction Digital magazine. He likes to write about music and news and can be reached at [email protected].
