Are you an aspiring filmmaker or a movie buff? If so, visit the Chandler International Film Festival for industry workshops, networking opportunities and to see this year’s diverse lineup of feature and short films.
The Chandler International Film Festival is returning to the Phoenix-Metro area for its 8th year starting Friday, Jan. 19 through Sunday, Jan. 28 at LOOK Dine-in Cinema (1 W. Chandler Blvd.). The festival is known as one of the fastest-growing film festivals in Arizona, and they’re not holding back this year.
The 10-day festival will feature over 125 films from more than 35 countries and will honor a different culture each day, including European, Latin, Japanese, Native American and Indian. There will be industry workshops structured around filmmaking, global distribution of films, film festivals and acting that are open to the public for $15 each. These workshops will be hosted by producers Spero Stamboulis and Mitesh Patel, director Jon Fitzgerald and actor Sean Dillingham. Industry professionals are given networking opportunities at “Coffee Connections,” which will be held on Saturday and Sunday mornings during the festival. There will also be Q&A discussions with cast and crew, a red carpet event, an award ceremony, celebrity guest appearances and nightly after-parties in Downtown Chandler.
“This year, film buffs and local residents, alike, can enjoy a diverse lineup of feature films and short films from around the world, learn more about the inner-workings of film, network with industry professionals, and rub elbows with cast and crew members,” says Mitesh Patel, CIFF president and festival director. “We’re proud to present a 10-day event that celebrates film in Arizona for the 8th year.”
The festival will kick off Friday, Jan. 19 with “Villains Inc.,” directed by Jeremy Warner. The movie follows the life of three henchpeople, Beatrix, Cain and Harold, trying to take over the world after being left penniless following the death of their villainous boss.
Celebrity guests from the movie, including Mallory Everton, who plays Beatrix, and Jason Gray, who plays Cain, will be attending the Hollywood-style red carpet before the 6 p.m. premiere.
The nonprofit film festival’s goal is to support independent filmmakers and their filmmaking through project review and judgment while honoring uniqueness, creativity and storytelling ability. If you are interested in attending this year’s Chandler International Film Festival, tickets are $15 for a single show and $240 for the entire festival event pass.
To learn more about the schedule, events and tickets, visit www.chandlerfilmfestival.com.
Photos courtesy Chandler International Film Festival
