Lights! Camera! Action!
The Coronado Island Film Festival (CIFF) will kick off it’s inaugural year January 15, 2016 at one of the country’s majestic silver screens, the Vintage Village Theater, as named in USA Today.
Disney’s “The Finest Hours”(PG-13), starring Chris Pine (Star Trek) and Casey Affleck (Interstellar), will initiate the deluge of films, 85 in total, sure to satisfy staunch film cinephiles. This film will screen twice, at 8-10:45pM and 11-1AM. See it here before it opens in theaters January 29!
“The Finest Hours” is based on the true story written by author Casey Sherman. Sherman will be in attendance along with the film’s director Craig Gillespie, and producer James Whitaker.
A remarkable feet for a first-time film festival, CIFF assembled a veritable braintrust of talent to form the film jury headed by the legendary film critic, and Honorary Jury President, Leonard Maltin.
Leonard Maltin is Honorary Head Juror of CIFF.
Narrative Film is lead by “The Theory of Everything” producer Lisa Bruce; Documentaries’ head juror is Academy-Award winner Ira Wohl; Shorts head juror is Jim Gallagher, Head of Theatrical Marketing at DreamWorks Animation SKG. Coronado’s ties to the military garnered a special category at CIFF: Service to Country with Head Juror Nancy McRae, CoSA Administrator and CIFF board member.
What an incredible opportunity for aspiring filmmakers to have this remarkable team of eyes on their productions!
CIFF will take place at several locations along the storied Emerald Isle, taking advantage of some spectacular iconic venues like The Hotel Del Coronado and the art deco Vintage Village Theater.
“The Revenat” cinematographer Emmanuel Lubeski, will be honored at the Celebrity Tribute at the Hotel Del Coronado for his Oscar-winnig-career. If you’ve seen this breathtaking film, you may agree Lubeski could be up for another Academy Award.
Besides screening Indy films like “Waffle Street,” with James Lafertty (“One Tree Hill”) in attendance, “India’s Daughter” directed by Leslee Udwin who will be present, and the funny documentary “Meet the Patels” with Ravi Patel (I saw this film at the SD Asian Film Festival and it’s hilarious!), there will also be special presentations for the whole family.
James Lafferty will be in attendance at CIFF.
Screenings in this section include: Pixar’s Golden Globe-wining film “Inside Out,” “Home,” and an exclusive screening of “Kung Fu Panda 3,” Monday, 1/18 at 10AM at the Village Theater, with an on-screen message from actor Jack Black for the CIFF audience!
Don’t miss “I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story,” profiling the life of the 80-year-old puppeteer behind Big Bird an Oscar the Grouch. Screening Monday at the Coronado Performing Arts Center 10-11:30AM.
The student film section features “Daydream Hotel,” a film made by Coronado High School CoSa Film and Production students. Filmed on location at the Hotel Del, the world premier of this student production takes place Sunday, January 17, 4PM at the Coronado Performing Arts Center.
The jury’s selected works will be honored at the Awards Night Ceremony on Sunday, January 17 at the Coronado Performing Arts Center 8-10PM.
The Hotel Del Coronado Narrative Film awards are named in honor of the festival’s presenting sponsor: The Hotel Del Coronado.
Audience Awards will need YOUR votes. Ballots will be distributed at each film and collected at the end. Winners will be re-screened on Monday.
Student Awards: All student films screened at CIFF will get a $500 grant.
Service to Country Award: One film will be chosen from across all categories.
“Some Like it Hot,” with Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemon, is Coronado’s claim to Hollywood fame. Filmed on the Del’s beach, Academy-Award winner Jack Lemon will be presented with the Hollywood Legacy Award. His son, Chris Lemon, will accept the award on his father’s behalf.
Lemon will also be offering his own tribute to his father, “A Twist of Lemon,” in a live performance not to be missed! Lemon Jr. takes on his father’s character in this one-man show and will present it twice: Saturday, 1PM and Sunday, 4PM at the Coronado Library’s Winn Room.
The Celebrity Awards will recognize co-recipients of CIFF’s Rising Star Awards Stefania LaVie Owen (The Lovely Bones, The Carrie Diaries) and Alex Wolff (Nickelodeon’s The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2), for their performances in “Coming through the Rye.” This film will screen Saturday, January 16 at 1PM at Village Theater and both LaVie and Wolff will be in attendance.
Alex Wolff
A Hospitality Tent will be the gathering place for film lovers to chat about the latest screening, relax, grab a bite to eat, and also to meet and mingle with authors whose books were selected by CIFF for their relevance to the film industry — autographs included!
“The Baron of Mulholland: a Daughter Remembers Errol Flynn.” Rory Flynn created a coffee-table book to memorialize her father’s life as a family man. Meet Rory Flynn at the Winn Room after she presents her father’s film: “Dive Bomber” Monday, January 18, 10AM.
“The Indenture” is a novel by local Coronado resident F. Denver. McGarey,” about a boy born into one of New York’s wealthiest families confronts poverty and his family’s moral failings.” Meet McGarey at the Meet the Producers and Meet the Critics Panels, Saturday, January 16, at the Boathouse and Clubroom.
“101 Movies To See Before You Grow Up” by yours truly, Suzette Valle. Meet me at the Hospitality Tent and get your signed and dedicated copy!
Suzette Valle author of “101 Movies To See Before You Grow Up.”
“Leonard Maltin’s Classic Movie Guide” by Leonard Maltin. The definitive guide to classic movies published by Turner Classic Movies. Purchase this book at the Hospitality Tent.
A special tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will take place Monday, January 18 at the historical Glorietta Bay Inn and is FREE for all! Emmy and Peabody award-winner Laurens Grant will present her documentary “Freedom Riders,” screening at 12PM at the Village Theater. Free reception follow. .
There’s plenty to do if you don’t score a pass. That’s right, FREE things not be missed at CIFF! You can catch a glimpse of the celebs on the red carpets or join a free panel. Click here to read more about this.
Click here for more information about the All Star Animation Panel featuring Pixar and DreamWorks directors and producers!
A food truck reception with Harvest Kitchen, healthy, organic choices including Vegan and Paleo, and God Save the Cuisine, specializing in British influenced Gourmet cuisine, will also be held at the Hospitality Tent!
The Hospitality Tent will be located on the Coronado High School Quad and will open: Saturday, Noon-7:30PM, Sunday, Noon-3PM, Monday, Noon-4PM.
Closing the festival is “45 Years.” A moving and profound look at marriage and the secrets we keep. Screening Monday, January 18, 8PM Village Theater.
Star-studded red carpets, exclusive screenings, and unique events only the seaside city of Coronado can offer await film aficionados!
Passes start at $95 for 10 films or panels plus the closing night Del Beach screening of “Some Like it Hot” and bonfire.
Rush Line tickets are $12 cash for individual films based on capacity, so admission isn’t guaranteed.
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I was invited by CIFF and provided with passes to attend the festival.
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