Los Angeles Film Festival Celebrates 20th Anniversary With Commemorative Poster By World Renowned Artist Ed Ruscha

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Los Angeles Film Festival, presented by Film Independent, in conjunction with Presenting Media Sponsor the Los Angeles Times and Host Partner L.A. LIVE, today unveiled the Festival's 20^th Anniversary commemorative poster, designed by iconic American artist Ed Ruscha, based on his 1962 painting "Large Trademark With Eight Spotlights."

"I'm pleased to have designed the poster in support of the 20th LA Film Festival and Film Independent, and I hope the image reaches as many people as possible," said Ruscha. Ruscha's work is collected by museums worldwide, including the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Musee National Jeu de Paume, The Getty Center, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney.

"We're honored that Ed Ruscha created the artwork for the 20^th anniversary poster," said Josh Welsh, President of Film Independent. "Ruscha's body of work represents the creative spirit of Los Angeles that is embodied in the Festival."

Ignition, an LA-based creative agency, worked with Ruscha on the poster design. 

The Festival opens Wednesday, June 11, and runs through Thursday, June 19. It will include world premieres of American and international features, documentaries and short subject films as well as conversations, master classes, Music in Film Nights at the GRAMMY Museum, Hollywood studio premieres, and other signature events. 

In celebration of the Los Angeles Film Festival's 20th Anniversary, Festival Director Stephanie Allain and Film Independent at LACMA curator Elvis Mitchell along with artist/scholar Roya Rastegar will program a special section of films and events that celebrates the cultural wealth of Los Angeles.

"Our mission is to foster a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation and uniqueness of vision and to celebrate the cultural splendor of Los Angeles," said Festival Director, Stephanie Allain. "In addition to our stellar film programming, the festival produces unique, one of a kind evenings, that illuminate the artistic process and shine light on the creators and collaborators behind today's most exciting visual storytelling."

The Los Angeles Film Festival programming team is comprised of Festival Director Stephanie Allain, Artistic Director David Ansen, Associate Director of Programming Doug Jones, Senior Programmer Maggie Mackay, Programmers Jenn Wilson, Drea Clark, Hebe Tabachnik and Jennifer Murphy, as well as Guest Curators Elvis Mitchell and Roya Rastegar.

Festival passes go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, April 22. The full line-up will be announced on Tuesday, May 6. Posters will be sold to the public at a later date.

About Film Independent
Film Independent is a non-profit 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 filmindependent.org.

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SOURCE Film Independent