With
over 30 films on our program, including
eighteen premieres and five foreign films, the VFF continues to showcase
independent cinema from around the Valley and the world. Our selections include a range of short and
feature-length films, both documentaries and fiction. VFF Founder and Director, Tracey Adlai, says
that this was “by far the most competitive year, making our selections that
much harder. We wish we could screen
everything.”
The VFF continues to promote local independent production, with over fifteen films made by San Fernando Valley residents and/or in the Valley or about it. Filmed in Van Nuys, FEW OPTIONS, an L.A. premiere directed by George Pappy, is a gritty drama starring Kenny Johnson (“The Shield,” “Sons of Anarchy”) as an ex-con starting over with everything against him. FEW OPTIONS also features Erin Daniels (“The L Word”) and Rainn Wilson (“The Office”).
The Festival’s documentary showcase includes the L.A. premiere of RATS & BULLIES, the powerful story of fourteen-year old Dawn-Marie Wesley, who, after being repeatedly bullied and receiving death threats at school, hung herself with her dog’s leash. Filmed in Canada and the U.S., this film documents the horrifying incident that outraged a nation and led to a groundbreaking court case in which, for the first time in North America, teens stood trial for bullying. Also featured is Alexia Anastasio’s ADVENTURES IN PLYMPTOONS!, a profile of animator Bill Plympton.
The “Girls on Film” program of short films includes the U.S. premiere of THE SAFEST PLACE FOR FRUIT IS IN CARMEN MIRANDA’S HAT, a comedy about not fitting in with society’s expectations, directed by Kal Bonner.
Formerly known as (818), the VFF11 closing night feature, BAD ACTRESS, directed by Robert Lee King (“Psycho Beach Party”), is a dark comedy starring Beth Broderick (“Sabrina, the Teenage Witch,” “Lost”) as a has-been TV star living in The Valley. Her career is revived when she’s accused of killing her husband, played by Chris Mulkey (“Saving Grace,” “Twin Peaks”). The VFF has paired this film with THE POTENTIAL WIVES OF NORMAN MAO, a comedy short directed by Derek Nguyen and narrated by George Takei (“Star Trek”).
In addition to screenings, we provide educational panels, social mixers, and awards. The juried "Ten Degrees Hotter" award is for one short and one feature from a competitive section. Additionally, there is an award for short films, in the non-competitive section, as chosen by the audience.
Tracey Adlai says that she is “excited to return to Sherman Oaks” for three days, beginning November 11th, at the Whitefire Theatre, located at 13500 Ventura Blvd., in the Restaurant Row District. Tickets are $10-$15.
The Valley Film Festival 2011 Program
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11th
7:00 pm – Alumni Shorts Program (Dessert & Suicide, The Further Adventures of Cupid & Eros, League of S.T.E.A.M: Zed’s Clutter Calamity, Made in Japan, Mine, Stalked)
9:30 pm – Feature Program: We Gotta Get Buscemi with Public Museum
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12th
11:00 am – Panel TBA (topical to independent filmmaking)
1:00 pm – Dramatic Shorts Program (Ghost of Syllables,
Kiss, Live for the Day!, Method Actor, Mirk Riders, Valley Relics)
3:30 pm – Documentary Program: Adventures in Plymptoons! with TBA
7:00 pm – Feature Program: Few Options with The Secret
Friend
10:30 pm – Comedy Shorts Program (Fish!, The Gran’ Scam of Things, Hold the Mayo, The Hunter, Mrs. Christmas, Two Broken Hearts)
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13th
11:00 am – Panel TBA (topical to independent filmmaking)
1:00 pm – “Girls on Film” Shorts Program (12 Hours, 52 Seconds, Beyond Essays, Legacy, Mind the Gap, The Safest Place for Fruit is in Carmen Miranda’s Hat)
3:30 pm – Documentary Program: Rats & Bullies with Red Princess Blues
7:00 pm – Closing Night Feature Program: Bad Actress with The Potential Wives of Norman Mao
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