Editor

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – If you were one of the lucky filmmakers attending the 2003 Beverly Hills Film Festival Awards Night Dinner at the infamous Beverly Hills Hotel this past May, consider yourself a part of Indie filmmaking history.

The star studded event made up of Hollywood’s A-list actors, producers, directors, distributors and rising new filmmakers took center stage once again as the most prestigious film festival in the world. “The Beverly Hills Film Festival awards night ceremony is about as close to the Academy Awards as they come,” said legendary Hollywood producer, Stephen Paul. “Recognizing and awarding the most original and exclusive work in independent cinema at the Beverly Hills Hotel has created a “mini” Oscars night for the independent filmmaker. Dining, hobnobbing and watching cinema history in a place known to house world leaders, legends and royalty with its unparalleled beauty is about as good as it gets.”

With over 2,000 film submissions of all genres, the festival continued on its quest to showcase and promote today’s pool of up and coming filmmakers, breaking new records with attendance reaching 20,000 during its four-day run, and there was no shortage of A-list attendees. This year, Beverly Hills Film Festival welcomed power producer Mimi Leader, “The Matrix’s” own Carrie Ann Moss, Faith Ford, and a rare appearance by Gary Oldman, who also showcased his new short, “Funeral Party.” “With hundreds of festivals to choose from, there was never a question of where it would screen,” said first time director and leading Hollywood actor, Gary Oldman. “I believe in their mission to promote the industry’s most prominent high caliber films with a mix of artistic merit, commercial viability and star appeal. This is a filmmaker’s festival taking place in a community full of industry leaders.”

Known for its intimate setting at the Clarity Theatre, located in the heart of Beverly Hills, the festival’s four-day world class screenings unite the industries leading distributors, producers, directors and filmmakers, creating a close family like environment which opens new doors and opportunities for filmmakers. “I am grateful for the unique opportunity of showcasing my film at the Beverly Hills Film Festival,” said winner of the Golden Palm Award for best picture, the festival’s highest honor, Mikhail Vardanov. “The quality and rarity of the films screened here are unparalleled and I am honored to be in the presence of the some of the industries most promising film visionaries and their work.”

Landing distribution and development deals for its filmmakers, it’s no coincidence that this year’s festival attracted one of its most highly respected jury panels ever. This year, eighty percent of the festival’s films received distribution and/or development deals. “As a distributor, you want to be at a festival that highlights exclusive work,” said jury member, Steve Rothenberg, president of domestic theatrical distribution at Artisan Entertainment and mastermind behind the domestic theatrical release strategy for the $140 million grosser, “The Blair Witch Project.”
“This year’s films emphasized those unique qualities distributors look for in independent cinema, and I look forward to another star packed event in 2004 led by another panel made up of the movers and shakers of Beverly Hills and Hollywood.”

In only three short years, the Beverly Hills Film Festival has achieved high honors and unmatched film festival status with filmmakers, industry leaders, entertainment elite and the Beverly Hills community.

In 2004, the festival promises to raise the bar even higher with more original screenings and day-time seminars filled with renowned industry spokespeople. “Our new awards night home (The Beverly Hills Hotel) really emphasizes the magnitude of this festival and the community and partners willing to be a part of it,” said Kathren Hanna, festival director. “This is a festival for the indie filmmaker who deserves the same star like treatment of Hollywood’s most famous faces.”

The festival is accepting submissions now:online