FILM FESTIVAL WILL FOCUS ON INDEPENDENTS.

Byline: P. CATHERINE SHANKS Community Columnist

The close-up is on filmmakers as the Channel Islands Indie Film and Video Festival prepares for its second annual event. The five-day festival, scheduled for fall, will publicly screen films of all lengths, types and genres at theaters, colleges and other Ventura County locations. The deadline for submissions is July 30.

According to co-founder Luis Guereca, the purpose of the festival is to spotlight films made outside of the Hollywood system - especially those created by minority filmmakers.

With individuals of all ages invited to submit their work, co-founder Luis Alba views the event as a way of bringing together a diverse population of filmmakers to share their visions and showcase their artistry.

``Independent filmmaking is not about ethnicity,'' Alba said. ``It's about the talent and the films.''

Guereca summed up their mission: ``We're interested in motivating others to make movies.''

Guereca, Alba and a third co-founder, Dianna Perez, established the festival upon discovering their mutual lifelong fascination with films and filmmaking. Backgrounds in film and television production, and degrees in film and theater, helped prepare them for their roles as film festival organizers.

Festival board member Leticia Castaneda viewed the event first as an opportunity to help, and later, as a confidence booster. She volunteered at the first festival and, after participating, returned to school to study filmmaking. She credited the event with helping her make the life-changing decision.

``What I saw helped solidify my passion for filmmaking,'' Castaneda said. ``I plan on sticking with (the festival) every year and seeing it grow.''

Castaneda considers the multifaceted filmmaking and screening event an outreach and promotional vehicle for local talent and a means of bringing outside talent into Ventura County. According to the board member, filmmakers at all levels of accomplishment and of all ages are wise to become involved with the festival in its early stages, when creative opportunities abound.

Festival volunteer Mitzi King moved to California to be closer to the film industry and to pursue film scoring. Almost instantly, she recognized the first festival as an opportunity to network.

``If there were students making films, then I needed to be in touch with them,'' said King, who sold tickets and marketed the first event. ``It's a great way of building up your contacts,'' she said. ``You never know when you're going to run into them again.''

King itemized the scope of festival attendees. ``You can find everything from your musical scorer to set designers to your writer,'' King said. ``It's a way of keeping track of who's doing what.''

While most of the films submitted last year were from Ventura County and other parts of Southern California, this year's films are pouring in from as far as New York, Pennsylvania and Texas. According to organizers, they have received more than 25 short and feature films. They believe there will be a substantial increase in submissions as the July 30 deadline approaches.

``Last year, we took tons of phone calls requesting information about the festival,'' Guereca said. ``This year, the calls are all about submissions.''

This year, festival plans include a special classic film screening, celebrity guest speakers, continuous screenings, an award ceremony featuring an audience-choice award, opening and closing receptions, nightly parties and a few as-yet-undetermined surprises. Future event plans in development include an evening of one-minute films inspired by the documentary ``Lumiere and Company'' - completed unedited and sans sound.

For information about the Channel Islands Indie Film and Video Festival and submission guidelines, call [phone].