The Latest Industry News for the Exciting World of Production.

Today the Los Angeles Film Festival, presented by Film Independent, in conjunction with Presenting Media Sponsor Los Angeles Times and Host Partner L.A. LIVE, announced Academy Award® nominated and Film Independent Spirit Award winning filmmaker David O. Russell (Silver Linings Playbook, The Fighter) as its Guest Director and recipient of the Spirit of Independence award at the 2013 Festival, which will take place from June 13 - 23 in downtown Los Angeles. The award recognizes an individual for his or her commitment to artistic independence in film. In his role as Guest Director, Russell will host a special screening of Three Kings that will also include a discussion with the filmmaker about his body of work. He'll also attend the 12th annual Filmmaker Retreat at Skywalker Ranch in Marin County, California. The Retreat is a gathering of Festival filmmakers, special invited artists and is made possible by Skywalker Sound, with support from EFILM.

Russell first gained attention with his debut film Spanking The Monkey, which earned him both Best First Feature and Best First Screenplay at the Film Independent Spirit Awards. Since then he's continued to prove himself as a quality filmmaker with such films as Flirting With Disaster, Three Kings, and The Fighter, which earned seven Oscar® nominations, including Best Picture. His most recent film, Silver Linings Playbook, garnered eight Oscar® nominations, including Best Picture, as well as taking home two Film Independent Spirit Awards for Best Director and Best Screenplay and a BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. With his distinct voice and ability to elevate a performance, Russell has directed actors to a total of seven Oscar® nominations in back-to-back pictures - with three total wins. His next film, American Hustle, will be released in December 2013 and stars Amy Adams, Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro, Jennifer Lawrence and Jeremy Renner. Russell is a longtime board member of the Ghetto Film School, an organization that supports the growth and education of young black and Latino filmmakers in the South Bronx. Past Guest Directors include Kathryn Bigelow, William Friedkin and Guillermo Del Toro.

Returning to the 2013 Festival is the Master Class series, which features our artist in residence discussing their area of expertise with Film Independent at LACMA curator Elvis Mitchell. Actress Maya Rudolph (Bridesmaids, Away We Go, Saturday Night Live) will be choosing her favorite comedy scenes of all time and discussing how/why they work. Composer Gustavo Santaolalla (On The Road, Brokeback Mountain) will show selected scored scenes from films and discuss what makes them work and why they're so effective.

Confirmed for this year's Festival is an "In Conversation" session with playwright and filmmaker David Mamet (Glengarry Glen Ross, House of Games) & actor/stage magician/author Ricky Jay (Boogie Nights, The Prestige) discussing their past collaborations. Additionally, the 2013 Festival will feature "An Evening With Costa-Gavras." The Oscar® winning filmmaker, known for such films as Missing and Z, will be on-hand to talk about his work and screen his latest film Capital.

The Los Angeles Film Festival showcases the best in new American and international cinema, and is produced by Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization that also produces the Film Independent Spirit Awards and Film Independent at LACMA Film Series. The 2013 Los Angeles Film Festival will screen a diverse slate of over 200 feature films, shorts, and music videos, representing more than 30 countries, along with signature programs such as the Filmmaker Retreat, Music in Film Nights at The Grammy Museum at L.A. LIVE, Poolside Chats, Master Classes and more.

Passes for the 2013 Los Angeles Film Festival are on sale to the general public today. In addition to the screenings and events, Festival passes provide access to a series of networking receptions and entry to the Filmmaker Lounge, where Festival pass holders can interact with Festival filmmakers and professionals in the film community. General admission tickets to individual films go on sale beginning May 21. Contact the Ticket Office for passes, tickets and event information by calling 866.FILM.FEST (866.345.6337), or visit LAFilmFest.com. The Official Film Guide, the comprehensive source for all movie info, screenings, locations and related events, is produced by the Los Angeles Times. It will top the Los Angeles Times on Sunday, June 9, in Los Angeles and Orange County and be made available throughout downtown during the ten-day event.

ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL
Now in its nineteenth year, the Los Angeles Film Festival, supported by L.A. LIVE and the Los Angeles Times, showcases the best in 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, Music in Film Nights at the Grammy Museum, Poolside Chats, Master Classes 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, representing more than 30 countries, make up the main body of the Festival.

The Festival hosts juried cash awards for best narrative and documentary features, best narrative, documentary and animated short film, and a jury award for best performance in the narrative competition. Audience awards are also presented to best documentary, narrative and international feature, short film and music video.

The Los Angeles Film Festival is presented in conjunction with Presenting Media Sponsor the Los Angeles Times, Premier Sponsor DIRECTV, Principal and Family Day sponsor Hasbro Studios and Platinum sponsors Stella Artois, Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14, EFILM, HBO, Volkswagen of America, and Canon U.S.A., Inc. Special support is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The Official Screening Venue is Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14. Stella Artois is the official beer. The Los Angeles Athletic Club is the Official Host Hotel. WireImage is the Official Photography Agency and PR Newswire is the Official Breaking News Service of Film Independent.

More information can be found at www.LAFilmFest.com


ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT
Film Independent is a nonprofit 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 professional, or a film lover.

Film Independent produces the Spirit Awards, the annual celebration honoring artist-driven films and recognizing the finest achievements of American independent filmmakers. Film Independent also produces the Los Angeles Film Festival, showcasing the best of American and international cinema and the Film Independent at LACMA Film Series, a year-round, weekly program that offers unique cinematic experiences for the Los Angeles creative community and the general public.

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's Artist Development program offers free Labs for selected writers, directors, producers and documentary filmmakers and presents year-round networking opportunities. Project:Involve is Film Independent's signature program dedicated to fostering the careers of talented filmmakers from communities traditionally underrepresented in the film industry.

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

ABOUT LOS ANGELES TIMES
The Los Angeles Times is the largest metropolitan daily newspaper in the country, with a daily readership of 1.5 million and 2.6 million on Sunday, more than 23 million unique latimes.com visitors monthly and a combined print and online local weekly audience of 4.1 million. The Pulitzer Prize-winning Times has been covering Southern California for more than 131 years.

The Los Angeles Times Media Group (LATMG) businesses and affiliates also include The Envelope, Times Community News, and Hoy Los Angeles which, combined with the flagship Los Angeles Times, reach approximately 5.2 million or 39% of all adults in the Southern California marketplace. LATMG also owns California Community News, LLC, operates Tribune Direct LA, and is part of Tribune Company, one of the country's leading media companies with businesses in publishing, the Internet and broadcasting. Additional information is available at http://latimes.com/aboutus

ABOUT L.A. LIVE
L.A. LIVE is a 4 million square foot / $2.5 billion downtown Los Angeles sports & entertainment district adjacent to STAPLES Center and the Los Angeles Convention Center featuring Club Nokia, a 2,300 capacity live music venue, Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE, a 7,100-seat live theatre, a 54-story, 1001-room convention "headquarters" destination (featuring The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles and JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE hotels and 224 luxury condominiums - The Ritz Carlton Residences at L.A. LIVE - all in a single tower), the GRAMMY Museum, the 14-screen Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14 theatre, "broadcast" facilities for ESPN along with entertainment, residential, restaurant and office space.
Visit L.A. LIVE today at www.lalive.com