FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Melanie Bates, Film Independent
Tel: 323.556.9338 or mbates@filmindependent.org

Ryan Collins, Ginsberg/Libby
Tel: 323 645 6800 or ryan.collins@ginsberglibby.com

LA FILM FESTIVAL’S CLOSING NIGHT FILM:
WORLD PREMIERE OF DAVID RAYMOND’S NOMIS

Gala Screening of Maryam Keshavarz’s Viper Club

Global Media Makers Special Screening of Nejib Belkadhi’s Look At Me

Tenacious D’s Post-Apocalypto & Terence Nance’s Random Acts of Flyness

LOS ANGELES (September 6, 2018) — Today the LA Film Festival, produced by Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization that also produces the Film Independent Spirit Awards, announced the Closing Night Film is the World Premiere of David Raymond’s Nomis starring Henry Cavill, Sir Ben Kingsley, Nathan Fillion, Minka Kelly, Alexandra Daddario and Stanley Tucci. Additionally there will be a Gala Screening of Maryam Keshavarz’s Viper Club, starring Susan Sarandon, Matt Bomer, Lola Kirke, Julian Morris, Sheila Vand, Adepero Oduye, Amir Malaklou and Edie Falco; Global Media Makers Fellow Nejib Belkadhi’s Look At Me to screen; two additional series added including Tenacious D’s Post-Apocalypto and Terence Nance’s Random Acts of Flyness; and Retrospective screenings of Gregory Nava’s El Norte and Ang Lee’s The Wedding Banquet.

“As a festival that has always championed new voices it is only fitting to be closing this year with the work of a first time writer-director,” said Jennifer Cochis, LA Film Festival Director. “In Nomis, David Raymond created a thrilling film made all the more terrifying by the performances from his incredible cast.”

Closing Night Film

Friday, September 28, ArcLight Hollywood Cinerama Dome

• Nomis, dir. David Raymond, USA, World Premiere

 
When police trap online predator Simon Stulls, they soon realize that the extent of his crimes go far beyond that of his own psychological trauma. Nothing quite makes sense that is until people involved in the case, on both sides of the law, start getting murdered…

Additional Gala (1)

Saturday, September 22, Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

• Viper Club, dir. Maryam Keshavarz, USA, US Premiere

 
ER nurse Helen Sterling (Susan Sarandon) struggles to free her grown son, a journalist captured by terrorists in the Middle East. After hitting walls with the FBI and State agencies, she discovers a clandestine community of journalists, advocates, and philanthropists who might be able to help.

Global Media Makers Special Screening (1)

Global Media Makers is an innovative mentoring initiative and cultural exchange program that connects international filmmakers with leading U.S. entertainment professionals. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and produced in partnership with Film Independent.

Saturday, September 22, ArcLight Culver City

• Look At Me, Nejib Belkadhi, Tunisia, U.S. Premiere 

 
Lotfi, a Tunisian immigrant in Marseille, returns to his country to take care of his autistic son after the boy’s mother suffers a stroke. When institutionalizing his son proves difficult, he discovers unexpected ways to connect with his estranged son, thus understanding true fatherhood and coming to terms with his masculinity.

Additional Series (2)

Monday, September 24, Writers Guild Theater

• Post-Apocalypto, dir. Tenacious D, USA, World Premiere

 
Post-Apocalypto is an original, six-part animated video series from the minds of Tenacious D. Each frame of every episode was hand-drawn by Jack Black himself, with every character voiced by Black and Kyle Gass. The series begins rolling out on September 28, 2018, via Tenacious D’s YouTube page, with a new episode every Friday after that.

Saturday, September 22, Writers Guild Theater

• Random Acts of Flyness, USA, LA Premiere

 
Random Acts of Flyness is a HBO late-night series from artist Terence Nance (An Oversimplification of Her Beauty) that explores cultural idioms such as patriarchy, white supremacy and sensuality from a new, thought-provoking perspective.

#01 “What are your thoughts on raising free black children?” – Written by Terence Nance & Jamund Washington; Directed by Terence Nance, Frances Bodomo, Shaka King

#02 “two piece and a biscuit” – Written by Terence Nance & Jamund Washington & Frances Bodomo & Naima Ramos-Chapman & Nelson Nance & Shaka King; Directed by Terence Nance, Frances Bodomo, Darius Clark Monroe, Naima Ramos-Chapman, Jamund Washington

Retrospectives (2)

Rediscover classic, cult and beloved films on the big screen, often celebrating anniversaries or restored versions.

Tuesday, September 25, Arclight Culver City

• El Norte, dir. Gregory Nava, Mexico/USA, 35th Anniversary Academy Restoration

 
The Oscar-nominated classic film about the plight of the undocumented. Siblings, Rosa and Enrique flee persecution in Guatemala and journey to the promised land of “El Norte” only to encounter more injustice.

Thursday, September 27, Writers Guild Theater

• The Wedding Banquet, dir. Ang Lee, Taiwan/USA, 25th Anniversary 35mm Presentation

 
A Chinese yuppie hopes a marriage will prevent his parents from discovering he is gay, but his plan hilariously backfires when they insist on coming to New York for the wedding.

Panel (1)

Sunday, September 23, Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

• The Future of Producing, hosted by Rebecca Green, joined by panelists Steven J. Berger (Lorena), Mel Jones (Dear White People), Lacey Leavitt (Sadie) and Avril Z. Speaks (Jinn).

Additional Podcast (1)

Tuesday, September 25, Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

• Welcome to the Clambake – USA (CREATORS/HOSTS Lindsay Stidham and Angela Gulner) – From Campfire Media, two hilarious women explore what it means to be a feminist in the current cultural climate.

Mobile Video Platform TikTok Joins as Sponsor

TikTok, the global short-form mobile video destination with a mission to capture and present the world’s creativity, knowledge and moments that matter, is proud to announce a new partnership with Film Independent to support emerging creators. TikTok will support a contest for all filmmakers in competition challenging them to create: 15 short films on the TikTok platform. The winner of the contest will be awarded a $10,000 unrestricted cash prize. This grant will launch TikTok’s support of Film Independent with an aim to encourage everyone to share their passion and creative expression and elevating the digital short-form video format.

Seattle Story Award

Prior to the Closing Night Film, independent Seattle filmmaker Claire Buss will debut her new short film, “I’m Sorry Happy Birthday,” which playfully showcases everyday life in Seattle’s neighborhoods through whimsical vignettes that border on the fantastical – complete with a little bit of Pacific Northwest quirkiness. Buss’ short film, playing out of competition, was funded by the Seattle Story Award grant from Visit Seattle. This is the second film grant awarded by Visit Seattle as part of a larger partnership with Film Independent, after debuting the Seattle Story Award at the 2018 Film Independent Spirit Awards. The Seattle Story Award is given to a filmmaker who exhibits innovation, diversity and uniqueness of vision while having a history of transforming perspectives through rich stories. The recipient uses this grant to create a short film inspired by Seattle’s deep textures and independent spirit. Following the LA Film Festival’s Closing Night, “I’m Sorry Happy Birthday” will be available for viewing on VISITSEATTLE.tv.

Passes are on sale now; only Film Independent Members get early access and save up to 25%. General admission tickets are also on sale now to the general public. Contact the Festival Box Office for passes, tickets and event information by calling 866.FILM.FEST (866.345.6337) or visit lafilmfestival.com.

Venues for the 2018 Festival include the ArcLight Cinemas in Culver City, Hollywood and Santa Monica, as well as the new LMU Playa Vista Campus (opening this fall), the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, the Writers Guild Theater and the Ford Theatres.

PLEASE REFERENCE THE PROGRAMMING ADDENDUM (PDF) FOR FILM TITLES, SYNOPSES, CAST AND CREDITS.

Press materials can be found at filmindependent.org/press.

Online & Social Media

www.lafilmfestival.com

Facebook: facebook.com/LAFilmFestival | Twitter: @LAFilmFestival | Official event hashtag: #LAFilmFestival

ABOUT THE LA FILM FESTIVAL

The LA Film Festival is a key part of the exhibition arm of the nonprofit arts organization Film Independent. Showcasing new American and international cinema that embraces diversity, innovation and unique perspectives, the Festival produces one-of-a-kind events featuring critically acclaimed filmmakers, industry professionals and award-winning talent from Los Angeles and around the world. Presenting Media Sponsor is Los Angeles Times. Official Host Venue is ArcLight Cinemas. Platinum Sponsors are American Airlines, EFILM | Deluxe, HBO and TikTok. The University Sponsor is Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television. Official Screening Partner is Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Festival Supporters are Directors Guild of America, eTech Rentals, Kona Productions, TREETI and Visit Seattle. Festival Affiliates are 21st Century Fox Global Inclusion, ATK Audiotek, Konsonant Music, SAGindie and Writers Guild of America West. Additional support provided by National Endowment for the Arts. Stella Artois is the Official Beer. IMDbPro is the Official Industry Resource. CITI is the Official Credit Card. The LINE, NoMad Los Angeles and Freehand LA are the Official Hotel Partner. Essentia Water is the Official Water. Hillersden Estate Wines is the Official Wine. Getty Images is the Official Photographer.

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Albina Oks, Director of Corporate Sponsorship, at aoks@filmindependent.org or 323.556.9352.

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