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DC Independent Film Festival

Washington, DC (PRWEB) February 27, 2007 — The 9th Annual DC Independent Film Festival (DCIFF) opens Thursday, March 1 with a special tribute to Academy Award Winner Executive Producer John Daly ("Terminator", "Platoon", "The Last Emperor"). Daly will be presented a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the film industry.

In a move to embrace the film industry’s growing interest in fighting global warming, DCIFF is holding all festival activities at one location, accessible by metro, the DC Moving Image Center on the campus of the University of the District of Columbia, 4200 Connecticut Avenue, Auditorium 46. In keeping with one of this year’s festival themes, "Going Green" to advocate carbon-neutral filmmaking, festival organizers are encouraging attendees to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by riding metro to the event.

One of the premiere festivals for indie films on the East Coast, DCIFF runs 11 days, exhibits over 140 films (features, shorts, animations, documentaries and student) from around the world and features 30 themed film showcases. This year’s showcase themes include Inside Politics/Human Right, Going Green, Black Filmmakers, Cine Latino, Women’s Day, Asian, Life’s Curve Balls, Mediterranean, European, Africa, Jewish, Scary Movies, and Reality Bites/Documentaries, among others. A fifth of the films to be screened are by local DC metro area filmmakers. For some entries, this will be a world premiere. Others have won awards in festivals around the world.

The film festival also includes seven days of leading industry expert panels, Q&A sessions with the filmmakers, master classes, and the International, and National Advocacy Roundtables and Panels as well as industry breakfasts, VIP receptions, happy hours, opening and closing night galas.

DCIFF stands out among other festivals in the area by providing many special events that are organized for film industry professionals in the Mid Atlantic Region. Since its inception in 1999, the DCIFF has developed a reputation for bringing the finest, most informative seminars and forums to independent film, video and creative visual media artists. Leading industry experts will speak at seminars covering all areas of the business of developing, producing, marketing, directing and acting in independent film.

The Advocacy Forum, a free public event to be held on Capital Hill on March 2 from 9 a.m. – noon, will provide leading industry, legal and government experts discussing key issues that impact the independent film and media industry. The forum will be held in the Cannon Caucus Room on Capitol Hill, Cannon Building, Room 345, 3rd Floor (Independence Avenue & First Street), SE. The panels include:

9 – 10:15 a.m.: International Advocacy Roundtable / Focus: How to stimulate international independent film production. Noted panelists will discuss new international financing opportunities: co-productions, tax incentives and the role of governments in film production.

10:30 a.m. – Noon: US Advocacy Panel / Focus: How to stimulate independent Film Production in the U.S. Noted panelists will discuss current issues facing independent and visual media artists in the United States. Creative new solutions for filmmakers struggling with financing, distribution issues and copyright licensing issues will be discussed. Tax incentives, run-away production and economic impact of independent film production in the U.S., among other issues will be discussed.

Other special events include an International Women’s Day on Thursday, March 8 at 7:00 p.m. Films made by women on an array of topics that effect us all will be showcased. Subjects covering political issues from rebuilding life in Bosnia (a project of Madelaine Albright) to more personal views of confronting autism and craving attention from family members are also intimately presented. This evening is a special presentation in association with Amnesty International, Women in Film International and Women in Film and Video (DC).

Moviegoers wanting to take a break will enjoy visiting the booths at the DC Independent Film Market and Trade show, and listening to live music provided by the DC Independent Music Festival, also being held at the same UDC venue. With an emphasis on up-and-coming and local artists, the Music Festival presents diverse performances that suit the many genres of films represented. Additional music will be provided by DJ’s at the VIP receptions every evening. Festival attendees will hear jazz, blues, soul and much more at the music festival.

Carol Bidault de l’Isle, Festival Executive Director and Founder, is enthusiastic about this year’s line-up of films, as well as the new venue. "We received an astonishing number of entries this year. The quality and diversity of the subjects is extraordinary. From features to shorts, documentary to animation, we truly have something for everyone. We are also honored that the University of the District of Columbia has opened its doors to us. They have been very gracious in allowing us to use their beautiful venue. From the state-of-the-art projection systems to the galleries of modern art displayed in the auditorium mezzanine, our new festival home is fabulous."

The closing night on March 11 will showcase a rockumentary film called "I Trust You to Kill Me." Kiefer Sutherland takes his independent record label act, the band — Rocco DeLuca & the Burden, on its first international tour. From Tokyo to Los Angeles, London, Dublin, Reykjavik and Berlin, this rockumentary film chronicles a highly personal journey of a rock band and their less than qualified road manager (Kiefer Sutherland) and shows the hopes, successes and disappointments of a band trying to get their music to their audience. Director Manu Boyer, Producer Pliny Porter will be attending.

About John Daly:
John Daly started Hemdale Film Corporation with the actor David Hemmings ("Blow up"). The unique company was immediately successful and Daly, who was trained in business partnerships, limited companies and insurance underwriting, soon built Hemdale into one of the leading film packagers, financiers, producers and distributors of independent motion pictures. The company established a reputation for making and promoting daring break-through films and for giving important career starts, working with many of the world’s leading directors, such as: James Cameron, Oliver Stone, Bernardo Bertolucci, Mick Jackson, Michael Apted, Robert Altman, John Schlesinger, Ken Loach, Harold Becker, Gillian Armstrong, Tim Hunter and James Foley.

Daly’s films have grossed in excess of $1½ billion dollars. Daly’s films have achieved 21 Oscar nominations, 13 Oscars and won unprecedented back-to-back Best Picture Oscars for "Platoon" and "The Last Emperor". In addition, his films have won numerous awards at the Golden Globes and the Cannes Film Festival. Recently, John Daly has directed two films, including "The Aryan Couple" which world premiered at Washington, DC Independent Film Festival.

About DCIFF:
The Washington D.C. Independent Film Festival (DCIFF) is a yearly event where industry professionals and the general public can see the latest, most exciting independent films — feature, short, animation and documentary — from the United States and abroad. It is an opportunity for local, national and foreign independent filmmakers to compete in the D.C. area. DCIFF promotes and supports independent film through its film festival, film market, seminars, trade show and organized events throughout the year. The festival has received numerous awards, including:
Award Recipient of the Secretary’s Open Forum, US Department of State Award in recognition of outstanding contributions to international cultural affairs & support of media arts; acknowledged as primary contributor to independent film in the Zagat’s Movie Guide 2003; voted by MovieMaker Magazine as one of the top festivals for independent filmmakers; sSelected by the Kennedy Center in 2003 and 2004 to be the only film festival of Washington, DC to present films during its Prelude Festival showcasing the Best in the Arts in DC; recipient of the 2002 Reatig Award/Rosebud Festival for Outstanding Service & Contribution to the Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia Film & Video Community.

The box office is open for ticket sales now. VIP and weekend passes are available as well as single screening tickets. For information and tickets, visit https://www.dciff.org.

Special thanks to the top Sponsors of the 9th Annual DC Independent Film Festival: University of the District of Columbia; Time Warner; Comcast; Washington, DC Office of Motion Picture & Television Development; Virginia Film Office; MPAA and the DC Moving Image Center.

Mitchell Wells

Founder and Editor in Chief of Horror Society. Self proclaimed Horror Movie Freak, Tech Geek, love indie films and all around nice kinda guy!!

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