ENTHUSIASTIC: The AFI Film Festival brings together some of Hollywood’s biggest stars and some of southern California’s most enthusiastic movie-goers to see the latest work from independent filmmakers from around the world.
By Cole Nelson, Staff Writer
As a film enthusiast and movie-goer, having the opportunity to view an independent film for the first time on the big screen, while sharing the rewarding satisfaction with the film makers, creates a beautiful attachment to cinema. Enjoying this opportunity for free only adds the cherry to the already delicious sundae. This is exactly what AFI Film Festival is providing: the opportunity to watch independent films for the minimal price of waiting in line for extended amounts of time.
AFI, American Film Institute, is determined to provide a preservation of world cinematic history and praise those who place dedication into the art form. To do so, the AFI Film Festival was created. AFI Fest, for short, which spans a week (beginning November 1 and ending November 8), features dozens of short and feature independent films classified under world cinema, new auteurs, young Americans, special screenings, etc. In addition to a wide variety of film viewings, AFI provides panels and discussions with emerging Hollywood actors, actresses, film makers, auteurs, producers and persons from any other occupation in the medium. Presented by Audi, AFI Fest has acquired the approval of companies such as Coca Cola, HP, Levi’s, American Airlines, IMDB and Entertainment Weekly.
Prior to the beginning of the 2012 AFI Fest, I was approached by a friend who just so happens to know how to get tickets to this event. Without hesitation, I accepted the kind gesture and, before I knew it, found myself sitting in Los Angeles’ Chinese Theater 6, ten feet away from Park and Recreation‘s Aubrey Plaza at the Los Angeles Times Roundtable panel held on November 2. Beside her sat emerging actresses Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim, Live Free or Die Hard) and Bella Heathcote (In Time, Dark Shadows) as they took turns to reflect on their growing acting careers. They touched on subjects such as how they began their careers, what their parents viewed of their career choices, personal inspirations and a look back on their past work.
The following day, I was lucky enough to view an independent documentary, Only the Young, which follows two under-the-radar, “punk” skateboarder best friends in their last year of high school. The film delivers an extreme sense of nostalgia for the “high school years” in the older audience members and displays a sense of regret that these four glorified years are coming to an end for the younger ones, such as myself. After the final credits rolled of Only the Young, the producer (Derek Waters), film makers (Jason Tippet and Elizabeth Mims), and so-called “actors” (Kevin Conway and Skye Elmore) received a standing ovation before discussing the process and challenges of making a documentary without a definitive ending.
While standing in line for a third film event, a French film by the name of Holy Motors starring Eva Mendes, a volunteer reluctantly announced the screening would be postponed nearly an hour, displaying that a film festival can have downsides and technical difficulties as well.
As an aspiring film maker and auteur, I highly appreciate the opportunity AFI has brought forth through free screenings of international films and discussions with emerging talents. The Institute has stuck close to its mission statement of educating and informing current and future generations on the cinematic history that we so often see on the big screen.
Courtesy of www.hollywoodreporter.com and 25.media.tumblr.com