Festival director Stephanie Mardesich and Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn unveil the official LAHIFF poster. Photo by Chris Vilanuevea
The 20th annual LA Harbor International Film Festival or LAHIFF is coming up March 2 to 5. Festival director Stephanie Mardesich kicked things off at the Seafarin’ reception and press launch, at the Warner Grand Theatre where LAHIFF will take place in downtown San Pedro.
The event was held in a style befitting the festival’s longtime home at Warner Grand Theatre, featuring The Golden Age of Hollywood: Through the Lens of Joe Ackerman books available for purchase and signing, among other film memorabilia. The Warner Grand has been the main venue for LAHIFF since the festival’s inception in 2004. This year commemorates the 92nd anniversary of the opening of the vintage art deco “movie palace” in January 1931. This year’s festival is dedicated to the “Golden Age of Hollywood” actress, the late Marsha Hunt, who was honored at LAHIFF. The award-winning documentary Marsha Hunt’s Sweet Adversity debuted at LAHIFF in 2015.
“We are delighted to be in the Warner Grand Theatre this evening to reveal festival programming and unveil another ‘wow’ poster,” said festival director Stephanie Mardesich.
“It’s important to be here with the imminent closing of the theater at the end of June, for the long-anticipated renovation, [up to] two years, we urge all to spend as much time in the [theater] as possible.”
The official festival poster “The Foxy Cinematic Bridge” and street banner were unveiled by Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn. Key photo art for the iconic bridge image created by photographer and LAHIFF board member Peter Read Miller was introduced in 2009.
March 2
LAHIFF begins with “Read the Book, See the Movie” or RBSM featuring the classic novel The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling, and Academy Award-nominated animated film The Jungle Book. This year books were again provided by Penguin Random House Young Readers. Participating schools are: San Pedro’s Crestwood and Leland Street Elementary Schools, Dodson and Holy Trinity Middle Schools, Mary Star of the Sea and John and Muriel Olguin Magnate (SPHS) high schools; and Wilmington’s Gulf Avenue Elementary and Harry Bridges Middle School.
FILMS
March 3
The opening night program features Young Frankenstein kicking off the 50th anniversary of the film’s debut. The audience is encouraged to “dress up” as a favorite character.
March 4
For the 11th year, New Filmmakers LA or NFMLA presents Emerging Filmmakers Showcase (four short films, 54 minutes).
“Hollywood Nostalgia Tribute” or HNT begins with a brief video presentation by Julie Anderson showcasing her late photographer father’s extraordinary collection of photos of true “movie stars” from the 1940s through circa 2000 in The Golden Age of Hollywood: Through the Lens of Joe Ackerman coffee table book she recently published.
The HNT feature presentation White Christmas in 35mm immediately follows. The audience is invited to sing along to the familiar tunes. The program benefits Harbor Interfaith Services and YWCA/San Pedro. Admission: bring a non-perishable food item or new clothing item that will be placed by the Christmas Tree display in the lobby. Items will be donated to the organizations. Tickets also may be purchased for $5.
CD15 Councilmember Tim McOsker joins festivities at LAHIFF press conference in front of poster for the documentary Port Town. Photo bt Chris Villanueva.
March 5
Closing day, “DocSunday” is devoted to non-fiction films beginning with Port of Los Angeles premier Nailed It: Vietnamese & The Nail Industry. In a local connection, the story was partly filmed in Rancho Palos Verdes and Watts. The story of an immigrant refugee from Vietnam who arrived in the USA circa 1975 is heartfelt and discusses themes of social justice, immigration and remarkably, what has become an $8 billion business of “fashion nails.” Director Adele Pham will participate in a conversation and Q&A afterward.
Enjoy a reprise screening of Port Town, directed by local filmmaker and Emmy Award winner Jack Baric, followed by another POLA premier composite film of the oral history project Stories Of Los Angeles Harbor Area: For Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow (SOLAHA) The Movie – Volume IV produced by Mardesich and Baric, who also directs. There will be a conversation and Q&A with filmmakers and participants after the screening.
LAHIFF encourages festival attendees to support its restaurant sponsors and dine before or after programs.
Schedule
10:30 a.m. and “real-time Webinar” 10:30 a.m., March 2 Prog. A – RBSM – Jungle Book
7 p.m., March 3 Prog. B – Opening Night Young Frankenstein
1 p.m., March 4 Prog. C – New Filmmakers LA Emerging Filmmakers Showcase
4 p.m., March 4 Prog. D – White Christmas in 35 mm
1 p.m., March 5 Prog. E – Nailed It: Vietnamese & The Nail Industry
3 p.m., March 5 Prog. F – Port Town
5 p.m., March 5 Stories Of Los Angeles Harbor Area: For Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow (SOLAHA) The Movie – Volume IV, www.storieslaharborarea.com
Time: Various, March 2 to 5
Cost: $8 to $10
Details: See www.laharborfilmfest.com for updates on programming.
Venue: Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W. 6th St., San Pedro