The glamour of Hollywood descended upon Avalon on Wednesday as the five-day Catalina Film Festival got underway with the red carpet kickoff at the Casino where actor and star Sharon Stone appeared to accept the Stanley Kramer “Social Artist” Award.
The glamour of Hollywood descended upon Avalon on Wednesday as the five-day Catalina Film Festival got underway with the red carpet kickoff at the Casino where actor and star Sharon Stone appeared to accept the Stanley Kramer “Social Artist” Award.
Stone arrived with her friends Brad and Kimberely Friedmutter of TLC’s “Sin City Rules” to receive the award, which honors a film professional whose work embodies Stanley Kramer’s qualities of social consciousness within their artistry while taking risks to create and influence a social transformation.
Kramer’s widow and daughter, Kat and Karen Kramer, respectively, presented Stone with the award.
The award is named for the late producer and director of such socially conscious films as “The Defiant Ones” (1958), “Inherit the Wind” (1960) and “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” (1967).
Some of the things that appear to have qualified Stone for the award is that she has been a spokesperson for the American Foundation for AIDS Research since 1979.
Best known for her work as the alleged serial killer in “Basic Instinct” (1992), Stone went on to win a Golden Globe Award for best actress in a motion picture drama for her performance in “Casino” (1995).
Stone co-wrote “Come Together Now” after the 2004 Asian tsunami disaster; made the song available to download after Hurricane Katrina. The proceeds went to Habitat For Humanity and Angels’ Place.
Stone has also championed Lupus LA, and donated $10,000 at the World Economic Forum to help with malaria-related health efforts, and raised $1 million from the rest of the crowd within minutes of her donation. She also designed and signed a pair of shoes for the Stuart Weitzman charity shoe auction benefiting ovarian cancer awareness and research.
Stone told the entertainment website bwhub.com: “I am deeply honored to receive the Stanley Kramer Award…Mr. Kramer spent his life as a filmmaker creating films that would demonstrate a greater humanity; one where race, religion, higher thinking and spiritual elegance would be at the forefront of his purpose,” she said. “He bore the responsibility of his positive actions with the grace and endurance of a goodly warrior. Time and truth reveals the impact of his thoughtful and meaningful choices.”
Now in its third year, Ron Truppa, the Film Festival’s founder and director was also on hand, happily greeting the many people who had arrived on the island to enjoy the festivities and take in amenities and activities the event offers.
The festival runs through Sunday, Sept. 22. It continues its celebration of foreign and domestic independent films, shorts, animation and documentaries. Meanwhile, it benefits the work of the non-profit Catalina Island Conservancy to protect and restore Catalina Island.
The competitive festival and film market has awards in up to 10 categories. In addition to the Stanley Kramer “Social Artist” Award, it also includes the prestigious Charlie Chaplin ICON Award, and the Isla Earth Award.
On Thursday, Sept. 19, actor, screenwriter and director Jon Favreau was honored with the Festival’s Charlie Chaplin ICON award in Casino Theater. Other guests representing the cream of Hollywood expected to attend include Patricia Arquette, Michael Rapaport, Jaime Pressly, Lisa Bonet, and Billy Zane.
Screening on Friday in its west coast premier is “Best Man Down,” written and directed by Ted Kolan. It’s about a newlywed couple who cancels their honeymoon and returns to the snowy Midwest to make the funeral arrangements for their best man, who died unexpectedly after their ceremony. Starring in the film are Justin Long, Jess Weixler and Tyler Labine. Long is scheduled to attend the screening.
Before the screening, the 2013 Catalina Crest Award will be presented to rising young actor Kodi Smit-McFee, who as in “The Road” (2009) and “Let Me In” (2010).
Earlier on Friday will be the centennial screening of Stanley Kramer’s “Bless the Beasts and the Children,” filmed on Catalina in 1971. Billy Mumy (Lost in Space) stars, along with Catalina’s non-native bison.
Also on Saturday a tribute will honor the late filmmaker Tony Scott with a screening of 1993’s “True Romance,” directed by Scott and written by Quentin Tarantino. The film stars Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette.
Films will be screened at various locations in Avalon, including at the iconic Avalon Casino Theater.
Avalon residents can purchase VIP and Film Festival passes with a 30% discount by entering the code: Avalon. Tickets are available online at CatalinaFilm.org.
