In four short years, the Catalina Film Festival (CFF) has hit its stride and is quickly reclaiming it’s spot under the Hollywood sun. The annual event, taking place September 24 -28, has matured into a five-day festival screening 87 films with 27 world, U.S. and West Coast premieres.
Catalina has been hosting Hollywood celebrities for many years . One of the island’s famous frequent visitors, Marylyn Monroe, owned a home here. This year, filmmakers and actors will be honored at awards ceremonies to be held at the landmark Avalon Casino Theater. The movie industry will also be celebrated at galas, wine mixers and cocktail parties held at private residences around the charming island.
Nicolas Cage will be honored with the Charlie Chaplin Icon Award on the Centennial Celebration of Chaplin’s acting career. On Saturday, September 27, “The festival will be screening the 100 year old film Kid Auto Races At Venice (the very first appearance of the “Tramp”) directly before the honor is bestowed.”
On Saturday, September 27, Academy Award nominee William H. Macy will receive the Stanley Kramer “Social Artist” award following the premiere of his directorial debut “Rudderless.” Receiving the Vanguard award is producer, writer, and Academy Award nominee, Roman Coppola (“The Darjeeling Limited,” “Moonrise Kingdom”).
Actor Andy Garcia will be honored with the Ronald Reagan Great Communicator Award on Saturday, Sept. 27, and Emmy nominee Jason Ritter will receive the Catalina Crest award on Thursday, Sept. 25.
New this year, the Master of Horror himself, Wes Craven will select the first-ever Craven Award winner, for excellence in horror filmmaking.
“I’m thrilled to be a part of the Catalina Film Festival. I’ve been to Catalina many times and love the island and its rich Hollywood history,” said Craven. “I’m excited to choose the winner of the Best Horror film category and I’ll be looking for films that I feel will scare audiences and push the limits of horror genre.”
Red Carpet guests scheduled to attend CFF 2014 include Sean Astin (“Lord of the Rings, Rudy”); Sam Trammell (“True Blood,” “The Fault in Our Stars”); Jordin Sparks (“Sparkle,” “American Idol”); Lea Thompson (“Back to the Future,” “Left Behind”); Cassi Thomson (“Left Behind,” “Big Love”); and more.
Recent CFF honorees include Sharon Stone, Kate Bosworth, Jon Favreau, Patricia Arquette, Casey Wilson, Stan Lee, and more.
These are some of the highlights at this year’s CFF:
• West Coast premiere of “Rudderless,” directed by William H. Macy, starring Jamie Chung, Billy Crudup, Selena Gomez, Laurence Fishburne and Felicity Huffman. • Opening Night: “Left Behind,” starring Nicolas Cage, Chad Michael Murray, Nicky Whelan, Jordin Sparks, Lea Thompson, and more. • Closing Night: “Men, Women & Children,” directed by Jason Reitman, starring Adam Sandler, Jennifer Garner and Ansel Elgort. • North American Premiere of “White Rabbit,” starring Sam Trammell and Britt Robertson • West Coast Premiere of “The Dramatics,” starring Kat Foster, Scott Rodgers, Pablo Schreiber, Riki Lindome, and Sean Astin.
A special Catalina Express midnight ferry was added to accommodate festival attendees for Saturday, September 27. For information about the Catalina Film Festival, purchase passes, and the full listing of films visit www.CatalinaFilm.org.
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