Film Independent Announces North American Premiere Of Pedro Almodovar's I'm So Excited! From Sony Pictures Classics For Opening Night At 2013 Los Angeles Film Festival

LOS ANGELES, April 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the Los Angeles Film Festival, in conjunction with Presenting Media Sponsor the Los Angeles Times and Host Partner L.A. LIVE, announced the North American Premiere of Pedro Almodovar's I'm So Excited! as the opening night film, which will take place Thursday, June 13.  The film's release is set for June 28 from Sony Pictures Classics. 

The Los Angeles Film Festival showcases the best in new American and international cinema, and is produced by Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization that also produces the Film Independent Spirit Awards and Film Independent at LACMA Film Series. The 2013 Los Angeles Film Festival will screen a diverse slate of over 200 feature films, shorts, and music videos, representing more than 30 countries, along with signature programs such as the Filmmaker Retreat, Music in Film Nights at the Grammy Museum, Poolside Chats, Master Classes and more.   

"Film Independent and the Los Angeles Film Festival are thrilled to host the brilliant Pedro Almodovar's North American premiere of I'm So Excited!," said Festival Director Stephanie Allain. "Los Angeles, fasten your seatbelts for a fun, comedic ride!"

"Pedro Almodovar is the cinematic gift who keeps on giving," said David Ansen, Artistic Director for the Festival. "For four decades he's amazed us with movies that are funny and dangerous, lovable and challenging, subversive and wildly inventive.  It's a privilege and pleasure to present his latest comic treasure as our opening night film."

"We are honored Film Independent has chosen to open with the North American premiere of Pedro Almodovar's latest film, I'm So Excited!, at the LA Film Festival," said Sony Pictures Classics Co-Presidents Michael Barker and Tom Bernard.  "Stephanie, David and their team have been great supporters of our films in the past, with the highlight being last year's launch of our Oscar®-winning documentary, Searching For Sugar man.  This year, we are thrilled to bring Almodovar's extraordinary film to the festival's opening night gala."

"We are very happy to be presenting I'm So Excited! at the Los Angeles Film Festival," said producer Agustin Almodovar. "Pedro and I look forward to being there with the cast of the film and our SPC partners, Michael and Tom."

Returning to downtown Los Angeles, with its central hub at L.A. LIVE, the Festival will run from Thursday, June 13 to Sunday, June 23. Now in its nineteenth year, the Festival provides the movie-loving public with access to critically acclaimed filmmakers, film industry professionals and emerging talent from around the world.

Film Independent Members enjoy pre-sale benefits beginning April 11 and passes will be available to the general public on April 19.  In addition to the screenings and events, Festival passes provide access to a series of networking receptions and entry to the Filmmaker Lounge, where Festival pass holders can interact with Festival filmmakers and professionals in the film community.  General admission tickets to individual films go on sale beginning May 21.  Contact the Ticket Office for passes, tickets and event information by calling 866.FILM.FEST (866.345.6337) or visit LAFilmFest.com.  The Official Film Guide, the comprehensive source for all movie info, screenings, locations, and related events is produced by the Los Angeles Times.  It will top the Los Angeles Times on Sunday, June 9 in Los Angeles and Orange County and be made available throughout downtown during the ten-day event.

ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL
Now in its nineteenth year, the Los Angeles Film Festival, supported by L.A. LIVE and the Los Angeles Times, showcases the best in new American and international cinema and providing the movie-loving public with access to some of the most critically acclaimed filmmakers, film industry professionals, and emerging talent from around the world.

The Festival features unique signature programs including the Filmmaker Retreat, Music in Film Nights at the Grammy Museum, Poolside Chats, Master Classes and more.  Additionally, the Festival screens short films created by high school students and has a special section devoted to music videos.

Over 200 features, shorts, and music videos, representing more than 30 countries, make up the main body of the Festival.

The Festival hosts juried cash awards for best narrative and documentary features, best narrative, documentary and animated short film, and a jury award for best performance in the narrative competition. Audience awards are also presented to best documentary, narrative and international feature, short film and music video.

The Los Angeles Film Festival is presented in conjunction with Presenting Media Sponsor the Los Angeles Times, Premier Sponsor DIRECTV, Principal and Family Day sponsor Hasbro Studios and Platinum sponsors Stella Artois, Melrose MAC, Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14, EFILM, HBO, Volkswagen of America, and Canon U.S.A., Inc. Special support is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The Official Screening Venue is Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14. Stella Artois is the official beer. The Los Angeles Athletic Club is the Official Host Hotel. WireImage is the Official Photography Agency and PR Newswire is the Official Breaking News Service of Film Independent. 

More information can be found at www.LAFilmFest.com

ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT
Film Independent is a nonprofit arts organization that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds an audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. Film Independent's Board of Directors, filmmakers, staff, and constituents, is comprised of an inclusive community of individuals across ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race, and sexual orientation. Anyone passionate about film can become a member, whether you are a filmmaker, industry professional, or a film lover.

Film Independent produces the Spirit Awards, the annual celebration honoring artist-driven films and recognizing the finest achievements of American independent filmmakers.  Film Independent also produces the Los Angeles Film Festival, showcasing the best of American and international cinema and the Film Independent at LACMA Film Series, a year-round, weekly program that offers unique cinematic experiences for the Los Angeles creative community and the general public.  

With over 250 annual screenings and events, Film Independent provides access to a network of like-minded artists who are driving creativity in the film industry. Film Independent's Artist Development program offers free Labs for selected writers, directors, producers and documentary filmmakers and presents year-round networking opportunities. Project:Involve is Film Independent's signature program dedicated to fostering the careers of talented filmmakers from communities traditionally underrepresented in the film industry.

For more information or to become a member, visit www.FilmIndependent.org.

ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES TIMES
The Los Angeles Times is the largest metropolitan daily newspaper in the country, with a daily readership of 1.5 million and 2.6 million on Sunday, more than 23 million unique latimes.com visitors monthly and a combined print and online local weekly audience of 4.1 million. The Pulitzer Prize-winning Times has been covering Southern California for more than 131 years.

The Los Angeles Times Media Group (LATMG) businesses and affiliates also include The Envelope, Times Community News, and Hoy Los Angeles which, combined with the flagship Los Angeles Times, reach approximately 5.2 million or 39% of all adults in the Southern California marketplace. LATMG also owns California Community News, LLC, operates Tribune Direct LA, and is part of Tribune Company, one of the country's leading media companies with businesses in publishing, the Internet and broadcasting. Additional information is available at http://latimes.com/aboutus.

ABOUT L.A. LIVE
L.A. LIVE is a 4 million square foot / $2.5 billion downtown Los Angeles sports & entertainment district adjacent to STAPLES Center and the Los Angeles Convention Center featuring Club Nokia, a 2,300 capacity live music venue, Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE, a 7,100-seat live theatre, a 54-story, 1001-room convention "headquarters" destination (featuring The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles and JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE hotels and 224 luxury condominiums – The Ritz Carlton Residences at L.A. LIVE – all in a single tower), the GRAMMY Museum, the 14-screen Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14 theatre, "broadcast" facilities for ESPN along with entertainment, residential, restaurant and office space.
Visit L.A. LIVE today at www.lalive.com

SOURCE Film Independent