Catalina Film Fest expands horizons

The Catalina Film Fest will celebrate eight years of cinema on beautiful Catalina Island by expanding to Long Beach. The inaugural partnership will connect the island festival experience to the mainland Sept. 26-30, bookending the film fest with “launch” and “landing” premieres, parties and panels Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday in Long Beach. Catalina Island will host the festival Friday, Sept. 28, and Saturday, Sept. 29, with festival-chartered party cruises to and from Catalina Classic Cruises’s Queen Mary Terminal daily.

The eighth annual fest includes:

• Wednesday, Sept. 26—Opening night at the historic Long Beach Art Theatre, honoring actress and filmmaker Rosie Perez (“Untamed Heart”) and director Ramon Rodriquez (“The Wire”). The pair will receive the Humanitarian Award for “Pa’lante,” documenting personal stories of Puerto Ricans affected by hurricanes Irma and Maria. Opening night’s party is at The Harbor Long Beach (130 Pine Ave.), benefiting the nonprofit 100roofs.org to help Puerto Rico rebuild. Wednesday also features documentary, “Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable,” and opening night film, “Love, Possibly,” with filmmaker Q&A’s after each screening.

• Thursday, Sept. 27—Thriller Thursday takes over Long Beach with the Wes Craven Horror Block. Filmmakers will vie for the annual Craven Award. The Film & New Media Summit hosts an afternoon spotlight interview with honoree Richard Dreyfuss by Deadline’s Geoff Boucher at the Courtyard Marriott Long Beach at 1:30 p.m.

• Friday, Sept. 28—CFF heads to Catalina for a full day of screenings, the annual Lion’s Den Pitch Panel (featuring angel investor, James Sower), and a red carpet tribute at the iconic Avalon Casino. Comedic actor, Rob Riggle, whose work includes “The Hangover” and “Step Brothers” will receive the Spotlight Award. Kevin Hart (“Ride Along,”) will receive the Mack Sennett “King of Comedy” Award. Friday’s feature film is “Miss Arizona. Justine Bateman (“Family Ties”) will also be in attendance with her short film, “Five Minutes.”

• Saturday, Sept. 29—CFF honors Academy Award™-winning actor, Richard Dreyfuss (“Mr.Holland’s Opus”) with the Stanley Kramer Social Artist Award. Ashanti (“Coach Carter”) will receive the Avalon Award. Saturday’s feature is “Virginia Minnesota.”

• Sunday, Sept. 30—Best of Fest at the Courtyard Marriott Screening Room in Long Beach. CFF will also host the annual Film & New Media Summit for filmmakers Wednesday-Thursday at the Courtyard Marriott Long Beach. For more information, visit www.catalinafilm.org.