Report from LAFF

  • LAFF Retreats Out of L.A.

    Festival heads to Northern California’s Skywalker Ranch for “restorative” pre-festival filmmakers retreat

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  • L.A. Film Festival’s Home-Court Disadvantage

    It’s not easy programming a festival in the movie industry’s back yard, but LAFF organizers are clear about what they want

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  • Lakers, LAFF on a Collision Course?

    The deciding NBA game could take place a block away from the film fest’s opening night

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  • ‘Wheeler Boys’ LAFF Debut Comes With Free Netflix Stream

    Concurrent with the film’s festival debut, Netflix will offer free 48-hour stream

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  • LAFF Offers Free Tickets to Academy Members

    First-time program lets AMPAS voters choose from dramatic, documentary and international films

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  • Kathryn Bigelow, Christopher Nolan Added to LAFF

    Film fest also books “Scott Pilgrim” director Edgar Wright

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  • Fest Closes As Honorable Projects Take Home Prizes

    As he took the stage to present the highest honor at the L.A. Film Festival, actor Jon Voight enthusiastically championed the efforts of the local event to promote filmmaking during a challenging time for the arts.   "It’s such a splendid thing to have the L.A. Film Festival in our community," Voight said at a…

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    Amy Kaufman

  • Montana Film Office Help Sponsor LAFF, Unveils New Incentive Package

    Sten Iversen, manager of the Montana Film Office, came to the Los Angeles Film Festival this year to launch his new Studio 406 incentive package. A veteran of the festival dating back to its first year, Iversen sees it as the perfect place to sell independent filmmakers on the benefits of filming in Montana. Just…

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    Lucas Shaw

  • Attack of the Comic Book Nerds

    The LA Film Festival’s “Graphic Explosion” panel featured a quartet of admitted comic book nerds, three of whom have helped translate that passion into filmmaking. The one-hour panel, held at the Italian Cultural Institute, was moderated by Dave Pifer, owner of Secret Headquarters comic book store in Silver Lake — but Phifer only opened his…

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    Lucas Shaw

  • It’s ‘Transformers’ Night, and Bay Makes Nice

    There were no signs of cutbacks or the recent exec shuffle at the lavish premiere of "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," which overtook the streets of Westwood Monday evening with red carpets and life-size replicas of machines from the film, including the Optimus Prime semi-truck.  Before the screening at Mann’s Village Theater, Paramount head Brad…

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    Amy Kaufman

  • ‘Stoning of Soraya M.’ Leads L.A. Debate on Iran Turmoil

    The screening of an Iranian film at the Los Angeles Film Festival on Saturday became the occasion to debate the turmoil happening a half a world away, while serving as a timely reminder of the struggle for women’s rights under Islamic regimes in the Middle East. Based on a true story, "The Stoning of Soraya…

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    Amy Kaufman

  • ‘Paper Man’ Kicks Off the L.A. Film Fest

    "Paper Man" kicked off Film Independent’s Los Angeles Film Festival Thursday evening, premiering to a packed audience of sales agents, indie actors and industry execs at Mann’s Village Theater. "Nobody knows what the times are for independent film, but it’s still alive and well, and any film that treats the audience responsibly has a shot,"…

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    Amy Kaufman