ArcLight Cinemas is kicking off the first ArcLight Cinemas’ Documentary Film Festival, which offers talented, independent filmmakers a chance to share their work with fellow film-enthusiasts. The winning documentary producer will receive $10,000.
In a film festival first, fans were asked to vote on trailers on the ArcLight Cinemas YouTube page. The top ten “most liked” trailers would be admitted into the film festival. The festival received over 150 entries that drew more than 100,000 views and more than 30,000 votes.
The documentaries range in content and style as they take a deep look into the world of YouTube, the beginnings of punk rock, the story of UFC fighter Evan Tanner, a thought provoking look at the idea of God and many more.
The top ten finalists are:
Butterflies– Will be screened on November 7
Director Ester Brym; North Hollywood, CA
We Were Feared – Will be screened on November 9
Director Jonathan W.C. Mills; South Pasadena, CA
Once I was a Champion– Will be screened on November 8
Director Gerard Roxburgh; Long Beach, CA
God In The Box– Will be screened on November 10
Director Nathan Lang; Marina Del Rey, CA
Unsigned- Will be screened on November 7
Director Edward Payson; Burbank, CA
More Brains! A Return to the Living Dead- Will be screened on November 9
Director Bill Philputt; Indianapolis, IN
13 FAMILIES– Will be screened on November 10
Submitter Karen LuKanic; Pasadena, CA
Holy Rollers: The True Story of Card Counting Christians- Will be screened on November 8
Director Bryan Storkel; Los Angeles, CA
More Than Me– Will be screened on November 8
Director William Philbin; Buffalo, AK
RIZE N GRIND– Will be screened on November 7
Writer/Submitter/Producer Camara Davis; Montgomery, AL
The documentaries will be screened at ArcLight Hollywood November 7-11 and we encourage the community to come see these amazing stories.
A panel of four judges, all whom are involved in the documentary and entertainment worlds, will choose the winning documentary to be announced at a Gala at ArcLight Cinemas, Hollywood on November 12. The panel will choose the winning documentary based on creativity, cinematography, editing and story. The panel includes:
Rebecca Cammisa, Academy Award nominee, Which Way Home
Rhadi Taylor, Associate Director, Documentary Film Program, Sundance Institute
Marjan Safina, Board of directors, International Documentary Association
Gretchen McCourt, Festival Executive Producer