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LAS VEGAS (June 1, 2017) – After an impressive programming lineup announcement last week, the 10th Annual Las Vegas Film Festival today announces additional programming – including its opening and closing night films – as well as panels, special screenings and events for the 2017 Festival, to be held entirely at Brenden Theatres and the Palms Casino Resort June 6 – 11.
The Festival kicks off on Tuesday, June 6 with “Lemon,” which premiered at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. Isaac Lachmann has seen better days. His acting career is tanking, while his colleagues succeed; his blind girlfriend of 10 years plans to leave him; and his own family singles him out as a constant disappointment at their latest reunion. Even as he takes a chance on new romance, Isaac struggles to define his place in a world that has seemingly turned against him. Director Janicza Bravo’s (the 2014 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Jury Award winner for “Gregory Go Boom”) description-defying debut feature promises to delight and unsettle audiences in equal measure with its unique brand of discomforting humor. Bravo unflinchingly strips down her stellar lead and co-writer, Brett Gelman, to appalling levels of vulnerability, emphasized by idiosyncratic supporting turns from Michael Cera, Judy Greer, Nia Long, Martin Starr and Gillian Jacobs. Bursting with meticulous unease and loving contempt, Bravo questions what it means to truly unravel.
Closing out the Festival on Sunday, June 11 is another Sundance Film Festival 2017 premiere, “Landline,” starting Jenny Slate, John Turturro, Edie Falco, Abby Quinn, Jay Duplass and Finn Wittrock. The Manhattan of 1995: a land without cell phones, but abundant in CD listening stations, bar smoke, and family dysfunction. Enter the Jacobs. Eldest daughter Dana’s looming marriage to straight-laced Ben prompts a willful dive into her wild side, while her younger sister, Ali, is still in high school but leads a covert life of sex, drugs, and clubbing. After discovering love letters penned by their father, the sisters try to expose his apparent affair while keeping it from their all-too-composed mother. Director Gillian Robespierre’s follow-up to “Obvious Child” reprises her talent for subversive comedy and explores how family bonds grow sturdier through lying, cheating, and strife. Compelled by the emotional snarl of people’s poor choices, “Landline” relishes in the dark humor of life’s low points while basking in ’90s nostalgia. An honest, observant portrait of sibling rivalry stumbling awkwardly toward friendship, and of children realizing that parents are people too, there’s no attempt at concealing the indulgences and insecurities of its characters—all of which make them endearing and human.
Additional special screenings include:
Person to Person (part of CINEVEGAS PRESENTS AT LVFF)
Friday, June 9 at 8 p.m.
Director: Dustin Guy Defa
During a single day in New York City, a variety of characters grapple with the mundane, the unexpected, and the larger questions permeating their lives. An investigative reporter struggles with her first day on the job, despite help from her misguided boss; a rebellious teen attempts to balance her feminist ideals with other desires; and a young man seeks to reconcile with his ex-girlfriend, even as her brother threatens revenge. Meanwhile, an avid music lover traverses the city in search of a rare record for his vinyl collection. Director Dustin Guy Defa’s hotly-anticipated second feature (his first, “Bad Fever,” was named one of the best films of 2012 by The New Yorker), is a playful ode to the analog, the unassuming, and to New York itself. Shot entirely in 16mm, “Person to Person” effortlessly humanizes its characters, invoking an earnest realism in the performances of its ensemble cast: Michael Cera, Abbi Jacobson, Tavi Gevinson, Philip Baker Hall, George Sample III, and Bene Coopersmith.
Are You Really My Friend? The Movie
Saturday, June 10 at 2 p.m.
Director: Robin Greenspun
In 2011, photographer Tanja Hollander decided to visit each one of her Facebook “friends” (all 626 of them) in their homes and make formal portraits of each of them. Armed with her cameras and iPhone, Tanja traveled throughout the U.S. and around the world for 5 years, meticulously documenting her experiences in real time and creating a historical narrative, both visual and written, along the way. Her project is an exploration of friendships, the effects of social networks, the intimate places we call home and the communities in which we live. “Are You Really My Friend? The Movie” is part of Tanja Hollander’s current exhibition at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art which documents her entire project through photographs, portraits and ephemera http://massmoca.org/event/tanja-hollander/ The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Robin Greenspun and Tanja Hollander.
Bright Lights
Sunday, June 11 at 2 p.m.
Directors: Fisher Stevens and Alexis Bloom
The festival will also feature a special screening of the HBO documentary, “Bright Lights,” starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds. The story of a family’s complicated love, this hilarious and heart-rending film is an intimate portrait of a unique mother/daughter relationship and Hollywood royalty in all its eccentricity. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Todd Fisher.
FESTIVAL PANELS AND COMMUNITY FORUMS
LVFF Panels give movie-goers the opportunity to hear behind-the-scenes stories and invaluable insider insight from industry professionals. Stop by Festival HQ, located inside the Lounge at Palms Casino Resort, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday for panels paired with Festival mixers.
Storytellers Panel and Mixer
Wednesday, June 7 at 2 p.m.
Prior to the 3 p.m. UNLV showcase screening, join screenwriter Marc May (former UNLV professor and current Towson University professor), producer and UNLV alumni Thomas Mahoney and Francisco Menendez (Artistic Director for the UNLV Department of Film) for a conversation focusing on inspiration, creativity and developing. Then, after the UNLV showcase screening, there will be an additional panel at 5 p.m. with UNLV professor David Waldman and Damien Stanford.
Community Spark Panel and Mixer
Thursday, June 8 at 3 p.m.
A few rowdy filmmakers born in Las Vegas will share their filmmaking adventures in this panel with an emphasis on being a rebel and making films in Sin City. Panelists include Branden Christensen (director of the feature film “Still/Born” and director of the Music Video Lab), local producer Chuck Aiken, Brian Merrick (UNLV alumni and producer of the feature film “10 Days”) and Constanza Castro (producer of the short films “Joy Joy Nails” and “Cuddle Buddy”).
Culture Panel and Mixer
Saturday, June 10 at 2 p.m.
Jury members from the 2013 LVFF will share their stories about filmmaking and the Festival mission. Panelists include director J.T. Gurzi, screenwriter Marika Cahn and producer Thomas Mahoney.
PARTIES AND CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS
What would a film festival in Las Vegas be without some parties? On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the official Festival parties will be held inside Ghostbar at the Palms Casino Resort from 10 p.m. until close. All parties are open to the public, with a special VIP section for all passholders.
Kick Off Mixer
Tuesday, June 6; 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Festival HQ at “The Lounge” inside Palms Casino Resort
Music Video Lab Party
Friday, June 9; Doors open 9 p.m., with the Music Video Labs premiere at 10 p.m.
“Moon” inside Palms Casino Resort
Hard ticket is required (available for purchase for $10 at lvff.com/box-office)
Closing Night Festival Party and Awards Ceremony
Saturday, June 11; 9 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.
Palms Casino Resort Pool
The full Festival screening and event schedule is available online now at lvff.com. Tickets and passes are on sale now at lvff.com/box-office or by emailing boxoffice@lvff.com. Passes and movie tickets will also be available at the Festival’s box office at the Brenden Theatres inside the Palms Casino Resort beginning Tuesday, June 6. Additionally, discounts for locals, seniors, students and military are available.
The festival comes back this year with the continued support of returning sponsors Zappos and Southern Glaser’s Wine & Spirits, as well as new sponsors for 2017 – the John C. Kish Foundation, Brenden Theatres and Palms Casino Resort.
About Las Vegas Film Festival
The 10th Annual Las Vegas Film Festival will be held June 6 – 11, 2017 at the Palms Casino Resort and Brenden Theatres in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Film Festival is a community of filmmakers and film-lovers drawn to the unique, curious and cultivating environment that is Las Vegas. The LVFF pushes the boundaries of cinema, annually presenting work by passionate, rebellious, and wild storytellers to an audience of local and national filmmakers, film lovers, journalists, and film industry representatives. Festival leadership includes Milo Kostelecky (President), Robin Greenspun (CineVegas Chairman) and West McDowell (Creative & Program Director). For more information, please email info@lvff.com, visit www.lvff.com and find the festival on Facebook.
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