LA FILM FESTIVAL: JUN 23 LAFF HIGHLIGHTS, WHAT TO SEE & DO

Here are the LAFF highlights (LA Film Festival) for Tuesday, June 23, 2009:

1230--130pm: Lunch Talk with "Dear Lemon Lima" director Suzi Yoonessi at the ZonePerfect live.create.lounge, on Westwood Blvd. just north of Kinross.
For LAFF Passholders. Bring your lunch! Dessert provided.

International Showcase Film CARMEN MEETS BORAT- 2:00pm at The Regent
Q & A with director Mercedes Stalenhoef

Narrative Competition Screening DEAR LEMON LIMA, – 4:30pm at The Landmark
Q & A with director Suzi Yoonessi

Documentary Competition Film BRANSON– 4:30pm at The Regent
Q & A with director Brent Meeske and performance by Jackson Cash (I saw Jackson perform after the "Branson" premiere and, believe me, this man looks like Johnny Cash, talks like him, sings like him, swaggers like him! Amazing. Highly recommended.)

FILM SUMMARY: Personal demons and backstage battles cannot deter the performers captured in this heartfelt documentary from living out their dreams of stardom on the strip-mall stages of Branson, Missouri.

DIRECTOR/WRITER: Brent Meeske.

FEATURING: Jackson Cash, Amber Campbell, Geoffrey Hastings Haberer, Peggy Lee Brennan-Haberer, Terry Wayne, Nita Tate, Eric Eichenberger.

International Showcase Film CITY OF BORDERS – 5:00pm at The Landmark
Q & A with director Yun Suh

SHORTS PROGRAM 4 – 7:00pm at The Landmark
Q & A following

Summer Showcase Film 35 SHOTS OF RUM – 7:00pm at The Regent
Q & A following

Festival Conversations POOLSIDE CHAT: REELART L.A. – 7:00pm at the W Los Angeles - Westwood Hotel.

Featuring a conversation with artist Llyn Foulkes, fashion designer Kevan Hall, production designer Alex McDowell and moderated by director Catherine Hardwicke.

Festival Conversations GRAPHIC EXPLOSION – 7:00pm at The Italian Cultural Institute, 1023 Hilgard.

Featuring a conversation with Barry Levine, Josh Olson and Zak Penn.

International Spotlight REHJE – 7:30pm at The Landmark
Q & A with co-director Anais Huerta

Centerpiece Premiere PUBLIC ENEMIES, starring Johnny Depp. 7:30pm at the Mann Village Theater & the Majestic Crest Theater.

Matt Mackelcan Musical Performance - 8:00 pm at ZonePerfect live.create. lounge

Documentary Competition BANANAS!* – 9:15pm at The Landmark
Panel Discussion following the screening

International Showcase SACRED PLACES – 9:45pm at The Landmark
Q & A with writer & director Jean-Marie Teno

International Showcase – LOS BASTARDOS – 9:45pm at The Regent
Q & A with writer & director Amat Escalante