Editor

Catalina Film Festival 2021, presented by blk., returns in-person for live events launching in Long Beach, Friday, Sept. 17 – Sunday, Sept. 19 and landing on Catalina Island Friday, Sept. 24 -Sunday, Sept 26. This annual celebration in film will also host a virtual festival from Sept 17-26 online via FilmFestivalFlix.com and OhYay.co.

The Long Beach leg of the festival continues Catalina Film’s partnership with their “sister by the sea” allowing film enthusiasts to celebrate cinema on the mainland. This year’s Long Beach fest will include the Opening Night feature film and party; Film Finance workshop; Interview with JP Mangalindan, Business Insider Entertainment; Saturday Night tributes; red carpet arrivals; and Catalina Film’s Sunday FunDay - for the whole family - an outdoor festival and Classic Car Show, with live performance by Presley A. Aronson, food trucks, interactive games, and more at the Scottish Rite Cultural Center, (located at 855 Elm Ave, Long Beach, CA) home to all the Long Beach film festivities.  

LONG BEACH FILM HIGHLIGHTS:

• Friday, Sept 17 - Opening Night Feature Film: Voodoo MacBeth, produced by USC and Warner Brothers.
• Saturday, Sept 18 - Spotlight Feature: The Runner, directed by Michelle Danner 
• Sunday, Sept 19 – World Premiere: A Savannah Haunting, directed by William Mark McCullough
  • Sunday Bloody Sunday: Wes Craven Horror Block & Awards

Catalina Film Festival sets sail for the Island with screenings starting 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 24,  including blocks of short films in Animation, Conservation, Comedy, International, Documentaries and curated themes: “Happy/Sad” and “Do the Right Thing.” Friday and Saturday Night feature films with red carpet arrivals at the Catalina Casino, and the infamous Lion’s Den Pitch Panel with accredited investors for aspiring filmmakers to pitch for project funding. 

Full list of honorees to be announced. Past CFF honorees include Nicolas Cage, Jon Favreau, Stan Lee, Kevin Hart, William H. Macy, Andy Garcia, Sharon Stone, and more. 

CATALINA FILM HIGHLIGHTS:

• Friday, Sept 24 - Feature Doc: The Making of Memories for the Future
  • World Premiere: Background by Presley A. Aronson - Anti-Bullying Music Video
• Saturday, Sept 25- LION’S DEN PITCH PANEL
  • Thriller Feature Film: “6:45”  
  • Feature Doc: In The Dark Of The Valley
• Sunday, Sept 19 – Island BBQ Party

DAY TRIPPERS / SAN PEDRO BOAT: Catalina Film encourages festival goers to take day-trips and experience the evening feature films + after party by booking the Catalina Express ferry out of San Pedro and returning on the 11:55 pm boat from Avalon, offered both Friday & Saturday night.

https://www.catalinaexpress.com/port-san-pedro/san-pedro-port.html

VIRTUAL FEST: Catalina Film will also host an online festival Sept 17-26 at through partner FilmFestivalFlix.com streaming over 200 films with additional virtual film experiences hosted by OhYay.co, including online rooms to Meet-the-Filmmakers, Industry Guests, Sponsors, Panel Rooms, Catalina Red Carpet, Catalina Beach Lounge and more! 

For the complete festival schedule or to purchase passes/tickets and view online films: CatalinaFIlm.org

ABOUT CATALINA FILM FESTIVAL & FILM INSTITUTE

Catalina Film Festival is an annual celebration of film in Southern California with coastal screenings and events in Long Beach and on Hollywood’s island, Catalina, just 22 miles off the Los Angeles coast. Past CFF 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. CFF is a competitive festival with awards in multiple U.S. and International categories, including the prestigious Stanley Kramer Social Artist Award, Wes Craven Horror Award, and the Island's Conservation Award. 2021 sponsors include blk., The Cafaro Group, Building Image Group (BIG), Bogart Spirits, BANDERO Tequila, FilmFestivalFlix.com, Long Beach Scottish Rite Cultural Center, Horseshoe Bend Vineyards and KARANA WHOLE PLANT - ALL TASTE. Follow @CatalinaFilm, #CatalinaFilm