Los Angeles

Los Angeles (ⁱ/lɒs ˈændʒəlᵻs/ loss AN-jə-ləs or loss AN-jə-liss) (Spanish for "The Angels"), officially the City of Los Angeles and often known by its initials L.A., is the second-largest city in the United States after New York City, the most populous city in the state of California, and the county seat of Los Angeles County.

Situated in Southern California, Los Angeles is known for its mediterranean climate, ethnic diversity, sprawling metropolis, and as a major center of the American entertainment industry. Los Angeles lies in a large coastal basin surrounded on three sides by mountains reaching up to and over 10,000 feet (3,000 m).

Historically home to the Chumash and Tongva, Los Angeles was claimed by Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo for Spain in 1542 along with the rest of what would become Alta California. The city was officially founded on September 4, 1781, by Spanish governor Felipe de Neve. It became a part of Mexico in 1821 following the Mexican War of Independence. In 1848, at the end of the Mexican–American War, Los Angeles and the rest of California were purchased as part of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, thereby becoming part of the United States. Los Angeles was incorporated as a municipality on April 4, 1850, five months before California achieved statehood. The city experienced rapid growth with the discovery of oil.

Film festival

A film festival is an organized, extended presentation of films in one or more cinemas or screening venues, usually in a single city or region. Increasingly, film festivals show some films outdoors. Films may be of recent date and, depending upon the festival's focus, can include international and domestic releases. Some festivals focus on a specific film-maker or genre (e.g., film noir) or subject matter (e.g., horror film festivals). A number of film festivals specialise in short films of a defined maximum length. Film festivals are typically annual events. Some film historians do not consider Film Festivals as official releases of film, like Jerry Beck. The best known film festivals are the Venice Film Festival, the Cannes Film Festival, the Toronto Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, and the Berlin International Film Festival, the latter being the largest film festival worldwide, based on attendance. The Venice Film Festival is the oldest major festival. The Melbourne International Film Festival is the largest film festival in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the oldest in the world. A 2013 study found 3,000 active films festivals worldwide—active defined as having held an event in the previous 24 months.

Independent film

An independent film or indie film is a film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system, in addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment agencies.

Independent films are sometimes distinguishable by their content and style and the way in which the filmmakers' personal artistic vision is realized. Usually, but not always, independent films are made with considerably lower budgets than major studio movies.

Generally, the marketing of independent films is characterized by limited release, but can also have major marketing campaigns and a wide release. Independent films are often screened at local, national, or international film festivals before distribution (theatrical or retail release). An independent film production can rival a mainstream film production if it has the necessary funding and distribution.

History

Edison Trust

In 1908, the Motion Picture Patents Company or "Edison Trust" was formed as a trust. The Trust was a cartel that held a monopoly on film production and distribution comprising all the major film companies of the time (Edison, Biograph, Vitagraph, Essanay, Selig, Lubin, Kalem, American Star, American Pathé), the leading distributor (George Kleine) and the biggest supplier of raw film, Eastman Kodak. A number of filmmakers declined to join or were refused into the trust and came to be described as "independent".

Indie Fest

The Indie Fest is an international film festival. The festival's awards are given to film professionals selected by a panel of judges who are also film professionals. While the festival is based in La Jolla, San Diego, California, United States, the event takes place virtually. In 2008, documentary film The Singing Revolution was screened at the festival four times. Kumar Mangat Pathak's Boond was named Best of Show in 2009. In 2010, short film Marino's won an award at the festival,Life! Camera Action... directed by Rohit Gupta won an award for the best feature film, and Ishqiya starring Vidya Balan was also screened at the festival that year. The 2011 festival gave documentary film Farmageddon: The Unseen War on American Family Farms an award and gave Marc Saez's Suivez la flèche two awards. In 2015, the festival awarded John Matton two awards, "Award of Merit Special Mention Producer" for Matton's Feature Film 'Till We Meet Again' and "Award of Merit Special Mention Actor" for Best Acting in a Lead role for the same film.To Love Somebody, Ben Rider's debut feature, was awarded for the Feature Film and Direction category.

Los Angeles Film Festival

The Los Angeles Film Festival, also known as the LA Film Fest, is an annual film festival held in June in downtown Los Angeles, California. It showcases independent, international, feature, documentary and short films, as well as music videos. Since 2001 it is run by the organisation Film Independent, which also has been arranging the annual Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica since 1985.

The festival began as the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival (LAIFF) in 1995. The LAIFF ran for six years, until it was absorbed into Film Independent in 2001. At its height, the LAIFF attracted 19,000 attendees. Today, the Los Angeles Film Festival attracts more than 90,000.

Event features

With an attendance of more than 90,000 people, it screens more than 100 feature films. The event also includes world premieres of films such as Disney/Pixar's Brave, and a variety of panels, seminars, and free outdoor screenings.

The Festival features signature programs including the exclusive Filmmaker Retreat, hosted by a veteran film director. In 2010, the Filmmaker Retreat was hosted by Kathryn Bigelow. In 2011, it was hosted by George Lucas at his Skywalker Ranch, where it will return for 2012.