ANNUAL FILM EXPO IS BIGGER, BETTER.Byline: Daily News VALENCIA - Santa Clarita's International Family Film Festival will open today with a record number of entries in both the film and screenplay competitions. Among the highlights of this ninth annual festival is the film debut of Charlotte Church and the 2003 Academy Award winner for short animation. The festival features premieres on two screens at the Edwards Grand Palace at the Valencia Town Center. ``Overall, the quality and diversity of our independent and student-produced films is way up this year. It has raised the bar,'' said Chris Shoemaker Chris Shoemaker is a Myrtle Beach, SC based builder of custom motorcycles. His company, Wicked Choppers, was officially born in 2002. Its first from the ground-up custom designed chopper, "Wicked Monster" caught the eye of EasyRiders magazine and appeared on the cover, as , executive director of the festival. The festival has received submissions from independent filmmakers worldwide, including first-time entries from Iceland, Cambodia, Scotland, Mexico and Germany. Other countries represented in the festival are Japan, England, Canada and Australia. The festival's opening feature film is ``I'll Be There,'' a comedy marking the film debut of acclaimed vocalist Church, Jenna Redgrave and Craig Ferguson Craig Ferguson (born 17 May 1962) is a Scottish comedian, actor, writer and talk show host. He is the current host of CBS's The Late Late Show, a role which earned him an Emmy nomination in 2006. . ``I'll Be There'' tells the story of star-crossed lovers Redgrave and Ferguson, and what happens when rock star Ferguson discovers he has a daughter with the voice of an angel (Church). Also showing today is the Academy Award-winning short animation film ``ChubbChubbs.'' This film introduces the alien inhabitants
The game is based loosely on the concepts from SameGame. of the planet Gorf, including Meeper, its earnest but awkward hero. Meeper tries to warn his planet of impending im·pend intr.v. im·pend·ed, im·pend·ing, im·pends 1. To be about to occur: Her retirement is impending. 2. danger, but finds himself face to face with cruel intergalactic in·ter·ga·lac·tic adj. Being or occurring between galaxies: intergalactic space. in creatures. Following these two presentations, opening night at the Film Festival will feature a series of five short films that cover documentary subjects, animation, comedy and drama. The documentary ``Mount Everest: Up Close and Personal'' covers the journey of a young mountain climber climb·er n. 1. One that climbs, especially a person who climbs mountains. 2. Sports A device, such as a crampon, used in mountain climbing. 3. A plant that climbs. 4. as he attempts Everest for the climb of a lifetime. ``Dottie: Girl With a Big Voice'' is a short animated film about a young singer's impacts on the world. ``The Field'' is a drama about the impact of the Cuban missile crisis Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962, major cold war confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union. After the Bay of Pigs Invasion, the USSR increased its support of Fidel Castro's Cuban regime, and in the summer of 1962, Nikita Khrushchev secretly decided to on a 12-year-old boy. ``Sweet Life and ``It Just Is'' round off the short film offerings for opening night. The opening night festivities fes·tiv·i·ty n. pl. fes·tiv·i·ties 1. A joyous feast, holiday, or celebration; a festival. 2. The pleasure, joy, and gaiety of a festival or celebration. 3. will begin with a reception in the lobby of the theater, followed by the screenings and a wrap party at Sisley's Italian Kitchen, also located at the Town Center. The festival will run through May 3 and will include workshops for children and adults, screenplay readings, round-table discussions and an awards ceremony. For information and reservations, call (661) 257-3131 or visit www.iffilmfest.org. |
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