Catalina Film Fest reveals highlights

CATALINA FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES LINEUP, GUESTS FOR SECOND ANNUAL FEST— MAY 4-6, 2012

Stan Lee, Rachel Leigh Cook, James Scott, Darren Le Gallo, Tommy Chong, Scott Thompson, Daniel Gilles, Adam Sinclair Among Guests Confirmed to Attend

Catalina Film Fest— an annual celebration of film on the only West Coast resort island— today announced the lineup for the 2012 run, May 4-6. The Festival features more than 60 films, industry panels, networking and special events, including yacht and mansion parties.

CFF will open with the West Coast premiere of “The Magic of Belle Isle,” starring Morgan Freeman and Virginia Madsen; directed by Rob Reiner. “The Magic of Belle Isle,” tells the story of a wheelchair-bound author who moves to a rural town, where he befriends a single mother and her three kids, who help reignite his passion for writing.

CFF’s Opening Night will also feature an awards presentation, with Stan Lee accepting the Ronald Reagan Foundation’s Great Communicator Award. Following the Opening Night awards presentation and screenings, CFF will host its Opening Night Gala with Lee in attendance.

Catalina Film Fest will screen a wide range of more than 60 films— from feature to short, drama to comedy, student to experimental and indie to studio. Other notable films from the 2012 line-up include:

West Coast premiere— “Bel Ami,” staring Robert Pattinson, Uma Thurman, Christina Ricci and Kristen Scott Thomas. Directed by Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod. A chronicle of a young man's rise to power in Paris via his manipulation of the city's most influential and wealthy women.

“Broken Kingdom”— Starring Daniel Gilles (“Vampire Diaries,” “Saving Hope”), Rachel Leigh Cook (“She’s All That,” “Psych”) and Darren Le Gallo (“Date Night,” “The Matrix Reloaded”)— all scheduled to attend.

Two stories weave their way from the harrowing slums of Bogota to the lofty hills of Hollywood. A 14-year-old prostitute and an eccentric American writer forge a peculiar companionship; while a day-care teacher in Los Angeles does everything she can to fight the weight of a tragic secret.

“Beauty Culture” – This short documentary on the culture of beauty was part of the Annenberg Space for photography last year and is only screening at Tribeca and Catalina Film Festival. Directed by Lauren Greenfield.

World Premiere of “Boardwalk Hempire: The Rise and Fall of the Medical Kush Beach Club” – Starring Elijah Wood (“Lord of the Rings” “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” “Deep Impact”), Stephen Baldwin (“The Usual Suspects” “Born on the Fourth of July”), Tommy Chong (“That ‘70s Show,” “Cheech and Chong,” “Half-Baked”). Chong is slated to attend.

The Medical Kush Beach Club was the first and last medical marijuana store ever allowed in Venice Beach, California. This is the five-year history of the Medical Marijuana Dispensary scene in L.A.

“With Great Power:  Stan Lee Story” – Directed by Will Hess. Stan Lee will be in attendance. A feature- length documentary on the life and creations of Stan Lee, the co-creator of Spider-Man, Hulk, X-Men, Fantastic Four, Iron Man and over 200 other characters that can be found in comic books, movie screens, and in retail stores around the world. *During CFF, Lee will also participate in “The Anatomy of POW!,” panel (moderated by Chris Gore) with Gill Champion, Co-Founder and CEO of POW! Entertainment. Lee will also introduce a special screening of “The Avengers®” on its opening weekend during the film festival and host a VIP brunch with special guests and fans attending.

“The Immigrant”— Scott Thomson (“Kids in the Hall,” “The Pacifier”).

After being deported back to his native Canada, once-famous comedian Bob London attempts a Hollywood comeback by enlisting human smugglers to sneak him across the Mexico-US border.

“Irvine Welsh’s Ecstasy” – Starring Adam Sinclair (“Mile High” “Van Wilder 2”)—confirmed to attend. Also starring Kristin Kreuk (“Smallville,” “Eurotrip”), Billy Boyd (“Lord of the Rings”). Directed by Rob Heydon. The film is based on a novel by the writer of Trainspotting.

“Confessions of an Eco-Terrorist” (Isla Earth Award)– Directed by Peter Brown. Seen through the eyes of activist Peter Brown, the film grants the viewer an intimate look at shipboard life amongst these self-proclaimed animal saviors and sea rebels who shaped the green movement we know and love today.

“Double or Nothing” – Starring Adam Brody (“The O.C.,” “Jennifer’s Body”). Directed by Nathaniel Krause and written by Neil LaBute. Clark and Becca leave a bar after a night out with friends. They pass a homeless man on the street, and Clark gets an idea.

“The Sea is All I Know” – Starring Academy Award®-winner Melissa Leo (“The Fighter,” “Frozen River”), Peter Gerety (“Inside Man,”

“Changeling”). Directed by Jordan Bayne. When an estranged couple, Sara and Sonny, come to the aid of their dying daughter, the experience sends them spiraling into spiritual crisis, and emotions they do not understand.

Other guests expected on the red carpet include NBC’s James Scott, star of “Days of Our Lives.”

Catalina Island, a fixture in Hollywood’s motion picture industry, celebrates its Centennial in 2012. Guests of CFF can experience the West Coast’s only resort island while taking in more than 60 feature and short-length domestic and international features, documentaries, experimental and student films. The Festival also features nightly parties, special events and an exclusive awards ceremony. To secure passes now, visit www.catalinafilm.org/attend.

About Catalina Film Festival

Catalina Film Festival, an annual celebration of film on the only West Coast resort island, features more than 60 films, nightly events and entertainment. From Charlie Chaplin to Marilyn Monroe, celebrities and filmmakers have flocked to Catalina for inspiration. Clear blue water and coastal breezes provide the perfect backdrop for unparalleled premieres, yacht and mansion parties, industry networking and discovering everything that the island has to offer— just 22 miles off the coast of Los Angeles. Films are screened at multiple venues around the island, including the iconic, art deco, 1,200-seat Avalon Theatre— the world's first sound theatre. Catalina Film Festival is a competitive festival with awards in up to 10 categories, including the prestigious Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation "Great Communicator"

Award and the ISLA Earth Award; an honor presented by the Festival's beneficiary, the Catalina Island Conservancy. For more information, visit www.CatalinaFF.org or follow us on twitter:

www.twitter.com/CatalinaFilm or Facebook:

www.facebook.com/CatalinaFilm. The 2012 Catalina Film Festival runs May 4-6, 2012, with a special screening of “The Avengers®” with Stan Lee.