Catalina Film Festival (CFF) announced the 2024 honorees for the 14th annual celebration and will be presenting Academy Award-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden (The Morning Show, Pollock) with the Avalon Award and actress/philanthropist Emmanuelle Chriqui (Entourage) with the Champion of Challenge Award at the Red Carpet & Awards Ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 28, at 7 p.m. at the iconic Catalina Casino.
Catalina Film Festival returns exclusively to Hollywood’s destination Island for a four-day celebration of cinema on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024 – Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. Festival-goers can explore the island while taking in 200+ films, industry panels, and exclusive after parties at various venues throughout Avalon.
Movie lovers anywhere can log on to join CFF’s cinematic experience virtually with a special kickoff event ONLINE, which began on Wednesday, to launch the Virtual Catalina Film Festival, powered by EO Flix App and EntertainmentOxygen.com. Festival films will be available to stream online for an extended run through Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. All-Access Passes for the entire lineup of films is only $20.
2024 Festival Highlights
Friday, Sept. 27
The Lion’s Den®: A Live Pitch Session, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Accredited private investors, venture capital financiers, and content development professionals, aptly named “lions,” evaluate pitches from aspiring filmmakers seeking funding or option agreements for feature/short film or streaming content. Filmmakers have the opportunity to strike a deal LIVE if a panel member expresses interest. Lions include: Michael Helfant, Amasia Entertainment, Michael Lazarovitch, Chemically Altered Productions, Natalie Haack Flores, VP of Development at Nuyorican Productions; Marci Linett, Private Equity Investor; London Wright-Pegs Lewis, VP of Business Affairs and Legal.
Panel: Fade-In – Screenwriters, 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Gain an exclusive insider’s perspective on screenwriting essentials. Our panelists will take a deep dive into the core components of effective screenwriting and offer invaluable insights on consistently working and thriving in the industry. Panelists: Anna Salinas, Loot; David Eick, Battlestar Galactica.
New Venue This Year: Catalina Island Museum Short Film Blocks
- ANIMATIONS: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- FAKE IT TIL YOU BREAK IT: 12 – 2 p.m.
- DON’T KEEP ME IN SUSPENSE: 2 – 4 p.m.
- WES CRAVEN HORROR/THRILLER: 6 – 8 p.m.
CFF has the honor of hosting the ONLY Official Wes Craven Award in the world, with the winner
selected by the Craven family. Films in competition this year include Devotee, CARNÍVORA,
Wake, LOAB, The Thaw, Sempre Avanti, Sundowning
Saturday, Sept. 28
Panel: The Director’s Chair – International Directors, 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Due to overwhelming demand, a distinguished panel of internationally acclaimed film directors hailing from various corners of the world, each with their own unique narrative perspective, will tell enthralling tales drawn from their rich experiences and professional journeys, surpassing the bounds of imagination.
Panelists: Jon Amiel (England) Sommersby; Krisztian Köves Kasparek (Hungary) HALÁLKERINGÖ, Gregory Nava, (US) Selena
Panel: Casting the Best Actor, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Our panelists explain the process of how they cast lead characters. Listen to notable actors recount how they made a career for themselves as actors and the lessons they’ve learned. Panelists: Donna Morong
(Casting Director) 10 Things I Hate About You; Amy Tsang (Actor) Acolyte, Grey’s Anatomy; Cara Jade Myers (Actor) Killers of the Flower Moon; Necar Zadegan (Actor) Mayor of Kingston.
RED CARPET AWARDS CEREMONY & SPOTLIGHT FEATURE FILM // 7:00 p.m.
NOT AN ARTIST, Directed by Alexi Pappas, Jeremy Teicher, starring Haley Joel Osment, Rosalind Chao, Matt Walsh, Betsy Sodaro, Robert Schwartzman, GaTa, RZA, Dan Bakkedahl
PLOT: A young woman (Pappas) is accepted into a residency program created by a wealthy enigmatic benefactor, “The Abbott” (RZA), for high-potential artists suffering from creative constipation.
Sunday, Sept. 29
Panel: Successfully Marketing Your Feature Film – Film Festival, Sales & Distribution, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Explore the intricacies of securing pre-sales for an independent feature film, touring on the film festival circuit, crafting effective marketing strategies, and securing distribution channels for your feature film.
Panelists: Olivia Mascheroni, Verve Ventures: The Purge, Get Out, Insidious; Natalie Haack Flores, VP of Development at Nuyorican Productions: Dune, Bob the Builder; Crystal Hill SVP International Sales at Red Sea Media: Damaged; Lediona Kasapi, TVCO – Germany; Adam D. LaBlack, CEO of LFR Films, Brian Nitzkin, Dept H.
About Catalina Film: Known for its storied history and sweeping views, Catalina Film Festival past celebrity guests and honorees include Nicolas Cage, Jon Favreau, Stan Lee, Kevin Hart, Mira Sorvino, William H. Macy, Andy Garcia, Sharon Stone, Emmy Rossum, Richard Dreyfuss, Kate Bosworth and more. For more information, CatalinaFilm.org .
