Juror Duty at Los Angeles Film Festival

Yes, I was chosen to watch a battery of movies in a few days, deliberate with fellow judges, and pick the winners. You’d think it’s an easy task, just to sit and watch movies, but staying objective, realizing that a movie that might not be your style, still might be the best film, and there’s more to it. I judged at the SFIAFF, Cinevegas, and there was a couple more… I’m glad to help out. 15k for the champ is a pretty hefty prize considering the prize is usually zero at the smaller fests, but you do get to place those cute grape leaves on your movie poster. Thankfully, the films take place at night and they show 3 times each!

“The narrative jury consists of director Lynn Shelton (Humpday, My Effortless Brilliance), Head/Founder of Giant Robot Eric Nakamura, and screenwriter Daniel Waters (Heathers, BatmanReturns).” … “Unrestricted cash awards are given out in the following categories: Jury Award for Best NarrativeFeature ($15,000),…”

Very long press release after the jump.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE CONTACT:
Film Independent:Elise Freimuth, PR Manager, 310.432.1287, EFreimuth@FilmIndependent.orgAngela Acuff, Media Accreditation, 310.432.1271, AAcuff@FilmIndependent.org
Ginsberg/Libby:Gina Lang, 323.645.6800, gina.lang@ginsberglibby.com

JURORS ANNOUNCED FOR 2011 LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL,PRESENTED BY LOS ANGELES TIMES
LOS ANGELES (June 15, 2011) – Today the Los Angeles Film Festival, presented by the LosAngeles Times and supported by L.A. LIVE, announced its jurors for the 2011 Festival. TheLos Angeles Film Festival will run from Thursday, June 16 to Sunday, June 27 in downtown LosAngeles.
The narrative jury consists of director Lynn Shelton (Humpday, My Effortless Brilliance), Head/Founder of Giant Robot Eric Nakamura, and screenwriter Daniel Waters (Heathers, BatmanReturns). The documentary jury is comprised of Spirit Award-winning director Jeff Malmberg(Marwencol), Executive Director of the International Documentary Association Michael Lumpkin,and Co-editor of Slake magazine Laurie Ochoa. Casting director Margery Simkin, film critic AlonsoDuralde, and actress Lisa Gay Hamilton round out the shorts jury.

“Our jurors this year are a wonderfully creative, diverse, and talented group. What unites them istheir singular passion for movies,” said Festival Artistic Director David Ansen.

Unrestricted cash awards are given out in the following categories: Jury Award for Best NarrativeFeature ($15,000), Jury Award for Best Documentary Feature ($15,000), Best Animated orExperimental Short ($5,000), Best Documentary Short ($5,000), and Best Narrative Short ($5,000).The jury also hands out an award for Best Outstanding Performance in a Narrative Feature.The Audience Awards, which are chosen based on ballots submitted by Festival audiences, arepresented in the following categories: Narrative Feature, Documentary Feature, InternationalFeature, Short Film and Music Video. The Los Angeles Film Festival is a qualifying festival in allcategories for the Film Independent Spirit Awards, and for the Narrative and Animated Short Filmcategories of the Academy Awards®.

The competition and audience award winners will be announced at the Awards Brunch, hosted byAllison Janney and John C. Reilly at CHAYA Downtown on Sunday, June 26. The Awards Brunchis hosted by Dove® Hair Care and CHAYA Downtown.

Now in its seventeenth year, the Festival is recognized as a world-class event, showcasing thebest in new American and international cinema and providing the movie-loving public with accessto critically acclaimed filmmakers, film industry professionals, and emerging talent from around theworld. As previously announced, the 2011 Los Angeles Film Festival will screen over 200 featurefilms, shorts, and music videos, representing more than 30 countries.

Passes to attend the Festival are currently available to the general public, with special rates forFilm Independent members. In addition to screenings and events, Festival passes provide accessto a series of networking receptions and entry to the Jameson Filmmaker Lounge, where Festivalpass holders can interact with Festival filmmakers and professionals in the film community.Contact the Ticket Office for passes, tickets and event information by calling 866.FILM.FEST(866.345-6337) or visit LAFilmFest.com. Festival passes and tickets can also be purchasedin person starting today at the Coca-Cola Ticket Center, located in the Festival Village on therooftop of the West Parking Garage at L.A. LIVE’s Event Deck. The Official Film Guide, thecomprehensive source for all movie info, screenings, locations, and related events is produced bythe Los Angeles Times, and will be made available throughout downtown during the ten-day event.