Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/551480
Carmel International Film Festival Aims for the Star s SHORTCUTS EVENTS 70 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R / F A L L 2 0 1 5 O ur goal," says Carmel International Film Festival Co-Founder Tom Burns, "was to be among the top 10 film festivals in the world within 10 years." Now in the planning stages for the seventh annual festi- val, Burns is confident that he's right on track. "We're on everyone's radar now," he says. To film studios, part of the appeal of the Carmel event is its close prox- imity to film award season. "We're right at kickoff time for nominations," Burns says. "So we have been able to attract some big-league films, such as Jake Gyllenhaal's 'Nightcrawler' last year. Other coups included Tommy Lee Jones' 'The Horseman' and Sundance winner 'Whiplash,' a film that also garnered five Academy Award nominations—including Best Picture— and three wins." For 2015, the Festival is expanding the "pitch program" it pioneered in 2014. To take place over two days, the program will allow 30 to 40 filmmakers to sell their projects in front of a group of film "angels"— venture capitalists—who have the financial wherewithal to bring those dreams to the screen. "We don't guarantee funding," Burns cautions, "but one filmmaker caught the eye of an executive producer here. The project got a green light and was shown at the Tribeca Film Festival." Burns—who is also President and CEO of this nonprofit organization— is a very busy man these days, spending roughly half his time in Los Angeles drumming up support for his brainchild. "In a lot of ways, getting industry people to come from LA to stay in Carmel for a few days is an easy sell," he laughs. The 2015 Festival, slated for October 21-25, will screen around 125 films from 10am to 10pm every day at venues including the Sunset Center, Carmel High School, Lighthouse Cinemas and the Carl Cherry Center for the Arts. The Festival's website is constantly updated when films and guest appear- ances are confirmed. Visit www.carmelfilmfest.com for details. —Michael Chatfield Carmel International Film Festival Artist David Ligare created a poster and print for the 2015 event; one of his "Thrown Drapery" paintings was featured in the 1985 film "Compromising Positions." The festival takes place October 21-25 and shows 125 films. "