The non-profit organization Film Independent announced Monday additional official film selections and programs for June's 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival.
"Ponyo," a story inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale "The Little Mermaid" that tells the story of a goldfish and her quest to become human, will close the festival. The Walt Disney Pictures film comes from Academy Award-winning director Hayao Miyazaki ("Spirited Away") and is voiced by Cate Blanchett, Matt Damon, Tina Fey and Cloris Leachman.
"It was our ambition that the tentpoles of the festival reflect the spectrum of great cinema and cinematic experiences," fest director Rebecca Yeldham said in a statement.
It was also announced that "The Cove," a documentary about Japanese dolphin slaughter that was heralded at Sundance, and Rebecca Cammisa's "Which Way Home" will be a part of the Free Screenings section.
The festival also gives the public access to filmmakers and film industry professionals through programs including Poolside Chats and Director Lunch Talks.
"The festival conversations are a unique platform for film lovers and filmmakers to engage in dialogue not only about cinema, but about the many ways in which it intersects with other art mediums, contemporary social issues, and the Los Angeles cultural scene," said Director of Education Maria Bozzi.
The event will run from Thursday, June 18, to Sunday, June 28.
According to a press release, additional films and programming include:
Closing Night Film:
- Ponyo, Hayao Miyazaki – Japan (Walt Disney Pictures)
Free Screenings:
- The Cove, Louie Psihoyos (Roadside Attractions)
- Which Way Home, Rebecca Cammisa – Mexico/USA (HBO Documentary)
Festival Conversations:
- Family Man: Robert Rodriguez -- Beyond writing, producing, shooting, editing, and scoring his movies, Robert Rodriguez has made filmmaking a family affair. The Rodriguez household has once again joined forces for the family movie Shorts and is coming to the Festival to talk about their collaboration and share an exclusive look at the making of the film.
- Spotlight on Ambulante Film Festival: Filmmaking without Borders -- Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna’s Ambulante Film Festival highlights the work of Mexican documentaries. Ambulante filmmakers explore their role as storytellers in an increasingly global world with other Festival filmmakers.
- Graphic Explosion -- Adaptations of comic books and graphic novels have proliferated in recent years, and it’s no all superheroes: Sin City, 300, Wanted, and Persepolis all came from graphic novels. A group of filmmakers, artists, writers, and fans explore Hollywood’s fascination with the medium and the creative challenges of translating them to the screen. Panelists include Zak Penn (Screenwriter, Incredible Hulk, X-Men: The Last Stand) and Barry Levine (Publisher, Radical Comics).
- Propaganda & Satellite Class Reunion -- Join us after our Propaganda & Satellite Tribute Music Video Screening with some of its founders and artists to reminisce on a great era of music videos and filmmaking. Sponsored by IFC.
- An Evening with Thom Mayne -- Pritzker prize-winning architect Thom Mayne, founder of the Southern California Institute of Architecture and the renowned architectural firm Morphosis, comes to the Festival to share his passion for space, light, and cinema.
