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October 14, 2010

OCT 14-19: 3rd Annual Bel-Air Film Festival Features Films, Panels, Receptions & More

Posted by Don Rose
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The Bel Air Film Festival is back. The third edition of this annual fest takes place at the UCLA James Bridges Theatre (inside Melnitz Hall). 
BAFF will run October 14-19, 2010.

The BAFF opening night on October 14 is jam-packed, featuring 3 films, several honors and a reception. Highlights include Joey Sylvester’s “Walk a Mile in My Pradas” and the documentary “The Last Elephants in Thailand.” More info on the fest is at www.BelAirFilmFestival.com. Info below is from the official press release (as seen on Film Threat).

The 2010 Bel-Air Film Festival (BAFF) will host its third annual event October 14th-19th with screenings held at the UCLA James Bridges Theater. 58 films will be presented including 35 world premieres and 12 Los Angeles premieres.

The festival will recognize and honor Brian Austin Green with the festival’s Best Actor Award, Kathy Najimy and Mark Rydell with the Legendary Filmmaker Awards, and Salaam Remi for Best Music in Film.

The ceremony will screen Walk a Mile in My Pradas, a film by the festival’s headline sponsor Dream It Productions. This “Work in Progress” feature film starring Nathaniel Marston, Tom Arnold, and Tom Archdeacon, tells a timely story about relevant issues such as Prop 8 and gay rights. With Christmas in Los Angeles as its backdrop, Writer/Producer, Rick (Sudi) Karatas creates a fantastical world where a little Christmas magic causes two coworkers to switch sexual orientations. The film offers messages of tolerance and acceptance, in a light and heart warming, comedic fashion and marks director Joey Sylvester’s feature debut.

In its Los Angeles Premiere the short film Turning Japanese, starring Brian Austin Green, will be screened. Turning Japanese tells the story of a couple struggling with their finances that stumble upon an unknowing sleepwalker and exploit her nightly episodes by selling tickets. Brian Austin Green is well known from his role on the hit TV series 90210 as well as his performances in the sitcom Freddie, the films Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and Domino and recurring roles on the TV series Smallville and Desperate Housewives.

Kathy Najimy will introduce the Los Angeles premiere of the documentary The Last Elephants in Thailand and bring attention to a cause she personally supports: the fight to save the dwindling population of elephants in Thailand and expose the abuse of elephants in amusement parks and the way elephants are forced to paint. Named Ms. Magazine’s “Woman of the Year” in 2005 and known as the voice of Peggy Hill on 14 seasons of the animated series King of the Hill, she is also easily recognized for her roles in the films Sister Act I and Sister Act II, the animated film Wall-E and over 20 feature films including Hocus PocusRat Race and The Wedding Planner. An active philanthropist, she has been recognized frequently for over 20 years of charitable efforts.

Mark Rydell will receive the Legendary Filmmaker Award, presented by Katharine Kramer. Rydell’s recent projects includes work with Forest Whitaker, Danny DeVito, and Kim Basinger in the upcoming film, “Even Money,” and the film, “Hollywood Ending,” starring Woody Allen. Rydell was also director of the TV bio-pic James Dean which earned actor James Franco a Golden Globe award. Rydell also acted in the movie, playing Jack Wagner. Mr. Rydell is a member of the board of directors at the Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center.

Salaam Remi is being recognized by BAFF for Best Music in Film. He has produced for Nas, The Fugees, Amy Winehouse, Alicia Keys and Ricky Martin among others and is responsible for the sounds of Sex and the City and Rush Hour 3. A favorite of directors Brett Ratner and Michael Patrick King, Remi is one of the most sought after producers in Hollywood. He recently finished scoring an upcoming documentary on Mike Tyson.


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