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KNOWLEDGEABLE STAFF 855-722-9333 | SESPE.ORG 2 OjaiFilmFestival.com STOREFRONT & DELIVERY Ojai Film Festival – 2019 State License # C10-0000028-LIC3 Welcome to the 20th Annual Ojai Film Festival President Artistic Director Jonathan Lambert Steve Grumette TABLE OF CONTENTS For two decades the Ojai Film Dear Friends, Festival has attracted quality Special Events Calendar ....................................... 6 Documentary Features- descriptions ................ 22 independent films from all Welcome to the twentieth annual Index of Films ........................................................ 8 Ojai Film Festival! Festival Screenings Spreadsheet ......................... 24 corners of the world; and for Life Achievement Awards .................................... 9 twenty years now, film lovers Ojai is an ideal site for a film Narrative Shorts- descriptions ............................ 26 have come to beautiful Ojai to festival, because of both its Ojai Film Society Student Films ......................... 10 Animations- descriptions.....................................30 enjoy the very best of those exceptional natural beauty and its High School Student Program ............................ 10 Festival Pre-Show Carnivale ............................... 32 proximity to the filmmaking capital films. And, for the twentieth Film: Living in the Future’s Past .......................... 11 Retrospective Series ............................................ 32 year, the residents of the of the world. It is also appropriate Film: The Way We Were ....................................... 11 that a community noted for its Documentary Shorts- descriptions .................... 33 Ojai Valley have supported Screenplay Live Read ............................................13 an internationally recognized strong commitment to the arts, as Seminar: Eco-Shorts ............................................ 35 film festival. We, the board of directors, have great pride in the reflected in the wide variety of arts-related events presented here every Free Film: Libbey Bowl (Oct. 31) ........................12 generosity of our neighbors which makes the Ojai Film Festival year, should host a festival dedicated to the celebration of the newest Gold Coast Films ...................................................14 Seminar: Business & Legal ................................... 37 the resounding success it has become. and most popular art form of the last century. Film Festival Dining Guide ...................................16 Presenters Biographies ........................................ 38 Throughout our history, we have endeavored to bring you a great On behalf of all of these people I welcome you to the 20th Focus Earth Films..................................................19 Seminar: Film Distribution ...................................41 diversity of unique motion pictures from around the world, including Film Jurors ............................................................43 Anniversary of the Ojai Film Festival. The more than 80 films many that would otherwise have been inaccessible. At the same time, Free Film: Libbey Gazebo (Nov. 6) .....................19 selected into this year’s Festival reflect the work of passionate our festival provides a valuable service to filmmakers by giving them Narrative Features- descriptions .........................21 Action In Film .......................................................45 and dedicated young professionals from over 40 countries. access to a sophisticated and highly appreciative audience that includes Animations, documentaries and narratives, both long and film industry professionals who can help guide their careers. About the Ojai Film Festival short, await your enjoyment. The best of each category will be th awarded ‘The Libbey,” our best-in-category trophy, during the While formulating our plans for the first Ojai Film Festival, we chose to Now in its 20 year of providing quality cinema programming identify ourselves with the theme “Enriching the Human Spirit Through Awards Brunch held Sunday morning, as will be the winner of In 1998, the Ojai Film Society’s Program Director, Steve Grumette, providing filmmakers access to a highly appreciative audi ence of the Festival’s screenplay competition and the Festival’s Lifetime Film.” While any great work of art might be said to enrich the spirit, was invited to serve as a juror at the Canyonlands Film Festival in savvy and informed film fans. Ojai’s growing importance on the Achievement Awards. we decided to give special preference to films that explore the human Moab, Utah. With a comparable population and boasting both a festival circuit is reflected in the fact that we receive roughly 500 condition; films that broaden our understanding of our place in the vibrant arts community and a spectacular natural environment, submitted films each year. Over 100 volunteers continue to come together to create a world and encourage us to exert a constructive influence on our planet Moab is similar to Ojai in many ways. On his return from Utah, it festival that attracts the attention of filmmakers from virtually and its people. occurred to Steve that if Moab could support a thriving film festival, Early in its history the Festival made the decision to award a why not Ojai? From that idea, the Ojai Film Festival was born. statuette (The Libbey”) to the juried winning film in each of its everywhere. It makes us proud; they are the mainstay of our Included in this year’s array of 83 distinguished films and videos from five submission categories with the animation award named after Festival. Say “hello” and ask them why they continue to help around the globe, are works that we hope On November 15, 2000, nearly two years of intensive effort by a Festival friend, longtime Ojai resident and worldwide known create this festival; you’ll meet some really interesting folks and will entertain and educate, move you to tears or fill you with joy, more than a hundred volunteers culminated in the opening of the cartoonist Sergio Aragones. In addition statuettes are awarded for learn more about Ojai as you do. stimulate you to think and perhaps, even inspire you to action. first Ojai Film Festival to an over whelmingly enthusiastic response the best Student Film (The Limelight Award), best Gold Coast Film, from filmmakers and filmgoers alike. The Festival launched with two best original screenplay and an Audience Choice Award. A separate Since the early 1900’s Ojai has been a “get away” destination We are particularly proud of the fact that over a dozen films first shown goals in mind: trophy is given to the film that best embodies the Festival’s theme: for the denizens of Los Angeles and Hollywood. We are happy at the Ojai Film Festival have gone on to win great honors elsewhere, Enriching the Human Spirit through Film. that you have “found” us and I am sure that you will enjoy both including Academy Awards and Nominations. * To provide audiences with opportunities to see groundbreaking the Festival’s offerings and the ambiance of Ojai. work that would be otherwise inaccessible. The Festival normally awards two Lifetime Achievement Awards, We are very pleased to continue our association with Panavision * To provide filmmakers with an enthusiastic audience including film one to an actor or director- representing the “talent” aspect of Welcome! And happy viewing! Corporation, which once again will be donating a $60,000 camera industry professionals. filmmaking, and the other to a cinematographer- as recognition rental package to the winner of the Limelight Award for Best of the vision and expertise of the individual but also to honor the Student Film. In early 2002, the festival established itself as an inde pendent numerous men and women who labor “behind the scenes” to create Jon Lambert, President, nonprofit foundation, dedicated to continuing and expanding the OFF Board Festival Director And so, it is with great pleasure that I invite you once again to join with the cinematic art form. Over the years the Festival has honored traditions created during the first two years of operation. Shirley Jones, Julie Christie, Mitzi Gaynor, Shirley Knight, Tab us in celebrating the art of film in the uniquely inviting environment of th Now in its 20 year, the festival continues its commitment to Hunter and Ed Asner to name a few actors, and Laszlo Kovacs, Dean Throughout this 20th Annual the Ojai Valley. Ojai Film Festival Program enriching the human spirit by seeking out important films that Semler, Dean Cundey, Johnny Jensen and Ellen Kuras to name a in some way uplift people, help audiences feel good about being few cinematographers. there will be past program covers to enjoy. Steve Grumette, Artistic Director members of the human race or encourage them to live meaningful The allure of Ojai as a beautiful mountain valley, just a short drive lives inspired by the examples of others.