The Basics:
7th Method Fest Opens
Friday in Calabasas

Actor Competition Champions Crowned - See Below
A Special Look at The Method Fest's Alumni - See Below

Whirlygirl Provides a Sizzling Centerpiece
Full Range of Activities Set for Calabasas April 1-8

Sarah Lewis gives an outstanding performance in Touching Down, which made its world premiere on Sunday, April 3.

Calabasas (April 3, 2005) - With sparkling performances that are playful and heartfelt by leads, Monet Mazur and Julian Morris, Whirlygirl took center stage Sunday as the Centerpiece Film of the 7th Method Fest.

Directed by Calabasas' Jim Wilson, Whirlygirl sizzled through a passionate journey of love and understanding. The coming of age drama was followed by a Centerpiece Party at The Auto Gallery.

Also yesterday, Karen and Kat Kramer led a Brando Retrospective at the Louis B. Mayer Theater, showing The Wild One. On Thursday at 7 p.m. another Brando film - The Men - plays at the theater.

The Festival kicked off on Friday, April 1st with Opening Night film Steal Me, Melissa Painter’s complex drama about growing up, innocence lost and family love. Stars Danny Alexander, Hunter Parrish and Cara Seymour lent their presence to a glittering evening that set an impressive tone for the festival, in its first year at Calabasas.

Twenty-six feature films, including nine World Premieres, and 46 shorts selected from over 600 submissions from U.S. and international filmmakers will be screened April 1-8 at the Edwards Grand Palace Stadium 6 Cinemas at the Commons at Calabasas (4799 Commons Way), and the Louis B. Mayer Theater on the Motion Picture and Television Fund’s Wasserman Campus in Woodland Hills (23388 Mulholland Drive).

Today's features include Showtime’s The Good Humor Man starring Kelsey Grammer, which makes its world premiere. Other World Premieres at the Festival include: Breaking the 5th, starring Frank Langella as a legendary, twisted playwright; DJ Hound Dog with Charlotte Lewis and some of the world’s most famous DJ’s; East of Sunset starring Emily Stiles, the lead in Goldwyn’s upcoming Eating Out; Nickel Children with Tom Sizemore and Jeremy Sisto; A Perfect Fit starring Adrian Grenier; Fighting Words, Touching Down and Zooey.

Brothers, which brought Danish Director Susanne Bier the World Cinema Audience Award at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival, will be the festival’s Closing Night Film (Thursday, April 7, 7:30 pm, Edwards).

Martin Landau, who has graced the American film scene for almost five decades, is the recipient of the 2005 Method Fest Lifetime Achievement Award. Landau, who won an Academy Award for his role in Ed Wood, and was nominated two other times, joins Maximillian Schell, James Earl Jones, Rod Steiger, Peter Falk and Dennis Hopper on the Method Fest's top special awards list from festivals past.

The festival closes with the Awards Ceremony, Friday, April 8 at 7:30 pm at Calabasas Inn (23500 Park Sorrento), with the festivities hosted by Sean Astin (The Lord of the Rings trilogy) and KNBC-TV Channel 4 weatherman Fritz Coleman.

Both feature and short films will have juries presenting awards. The feature prizes will go to Best Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Ensemble as well as Best Film, Director, Screenplay. The prizes will also include the new Young Actor to Watch Award for the breakthrough performance by an actor or actress under 18. The Short prizes are for Best Film, Actor and Actress. There will also be an Audience Award for Best Feature and Best Short.

Named after the famous school of acting, and dubbed “the Actor’s Festival,” The Method Fest is the only major film festival in the U.S. focusing on acting, seeking breakout acting performances in story driven independent films. The Method Fest takes great pride in being a discovery festival, looking to help launch the works of young fresh filmmakers and to discover breakthrough performances by bold new actors as well as those of important veterans.

Tickets for the fest are available in advance through www.ticketweb.com (800) 965-4827, and at the theaters the day of the screenings. Screening times, details on the films and other information are available on the Events Page and Screening Page.

The Method Fest is presented by the City of Calabasas and presenting media sponsors, Charter Communications and the L.A. Daily News. Lead sponsors include PacifiCare (Platinum Sponsor), New Millennium Homes, and Pacific Standard Homes (Golden Reel Sponsors), Bob Smith BMW/MINI, Adelphia, Corona (Silver Reel Sponsors), The Auto Gallery (Spinning Reel Sponsor); Bronze Reel Sponsors include S.A.G. Indie, JetBlue Airways, Enterprise Rent A Car, Country Inn & Suites by Carlson, Reels on Wheels, the Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley / Valley of the Stars, Sony, Christie Digital, Aarmadillo Productions. Festival supporters include The Motion Picture and Television Fund, Lightning Media, The Commons at Calabasas, Cinema Concepts, IVC Film and Data Center, Ice Age, FilmFinders, Pierce College, Marquee Productions, Gosch Productions, indieprinting.com, Joanne Baron/DW Brown Acting Studio.

Smith, Bledsoe Capture Actor Competition Honors Calabasas, Ca (March 31, 2005) - Lloyd David Smith and Bob Bledsoe captured the honors at The Method Fest  Actor Competition, held in association with the Joanne Baron DW Brown Studio. Smith, who will celebrate his 24th birthday on April 3, was selected as the Judge's Winner in a competition against seven other finalists. The Venice resident performed a monologue from "Moonstruck." Meanwhile, Bledsore, 31 and from nearby Sherman Oaks, was the People's Choice winner. He also did a monologue, performing a scene from "Planes, Trains and Automobiles." The Method Fest Actor Finals took place on Thursday, March 31st at the Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center. There were two preliminary competitions leading up to this event with over 100 entrants.  The eight finalists were: 1.SAM LITTLEFIELD,  Los Angeles, Ca. 2.LLOYD DAVID SMITH, Venice, Ca. 3.JAKQUELYN SULLIVAN,  Los Angeles, Ca. 4.MICHELLE TATE,  Calabasas, Ca. 5. DIANA PARKS,   Los Angeles, Ca. 6. DERRICK WAYNE SMITH,   Glendale, Ca. 7.SHELBY LEE, Glendale, Ca. 8. BOB BLEDSOE,  Sherman  Oaks, Ca. Prizes include for the winner of the acting competition a $500 cash prize, from The Method Fest Film  Festival.  Plus, free year membership to PowerHouse Gym,  guaranteed meetings with top agent and  top manager.  Free headshots.  Free   Festival  Pass to this year's Method Fest,  private acting coaching  at Joanne Baron/D.W. Brown Acting Studio. Last year's The Method Fest Actor winner,  Germaine  DeLeon,  was signed at The Method Fest  Acting finals  by top manager, Valerie  McCaffrey,  and agent,  Peter Strain. DeLeon also landed a recurring series role on CSI  New York.  The other place winners also signed with top managers and agents. This year, for the first time, there was a People's Actor Award where the public attending The Method Fest Finals can vote on the best actor of their choice. The actors at The Method Fest  Actor finals will  perform  a brief  scene  from a film  script  they are given. The judges for the competition included John Savage, a Best Actor, Academy Award nominee for "Deer Hunter," Casting Director Jean Scoccimarro, manager Michael Wallach,  Actor's Studio member Ron Gilbert, and Casting Director, Rosemary Wheldon.

Record Number of Film Submissions Reeled In

Calabasas, CA, February 9, 2005 - More than 600 films from American and international filmmakers were submitted for the 7th annual The Method Fest independent festival.

Films submitted to the Method Fest by American filmmakers came from 27 states – many from strong film centers like California and New York, but also from Kansas, Utah, Alabama, Georgia, and Virginia. From abroad, films have come from Austria, Australia, Canada, China, England, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, New Zealand and Sweden. A large number of U.S. entries are student projects from prestigious film schools such as USC, UCLA, The Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Florida State, Columbia University, and the American Film Institute.

MPTF'S Louis B. Mayer Theatre added as screening venue

Along with the Edwards Grand Palace Stadium 6 Cinemas at the Commons at Calabasas, the Louis B. Mayer Theatre on the Motion Picture and Television Fund's Wasserman Campus in Woodland Hills will serve as a screening venue for The Method Fest film Festival.

“Both theaters are the best venues we have had in the history of the Method Fest,” said Don Franken, the festival's executive director.

The film lineup for the 7th Method Fest will be announced at a Sneak Preview Party, Friday, March 4, at Pierce College 's Performing Arts Center, and will be posted on this web site. Tickets will go on sale via www.ticketweb.com on March 10.

Way Off Broadway at Laemmle Fairfax Theater

WAY OFF BROADWAY opens Friday March 18 at the Laemmle Fairfax theater, 7907 Beverly Blvd. (corner of Beverly Blvd. and Fairfax). Daily show times beginning Friday March 18 are: 12:45PM, 2:55, 5:05, 7:15, 9:45.

There will be a question/answer sessions with writer/director Dan Kay and stars Morena Baccarin (FOX TV's FIREFLY and Universals upcoming SERENITY) and Forbes March (TV's MUTANT X) after the 7:15PM and 9:45PM screenings on both Friday March 18 and Saturday March 19.

Produced by Richard Perello (Broken Lizzard's SUPER TROOPERS and CLUB DREAD), WAY OFF BROADWAY has won over a dozen awards and has been an official selection in 40 film festivals.  For a small independent film, the opening weekend is crucial. Please come out and support independent film and see a flick that Indiewire says is: "a textbook example of successful Indy filmmaking." For more info on the film and to watch the trailer, please visit: www.wayoffbroadwaythemovie.com.

Way Off Broadway is the story of five friends who, frustrated by the abrupt juxtaposition of being successful artists on the university level to poor struggling artists in New York City, take a crash course in life as they examine the dynamic of conflict in friendship involving sex, love, failure, and betrayal.

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Indie Fest Alumni Make Impact in Film Industry
Method Fest Launching Pad for Films, Actors

Calabasas, Ca. (Dec. 15, 2004) - After only six years, The Method Fest independent film festival can look back with pride at the recognition its alumni - films and actors first showcased at The Method Fest - are receiving in the film industry. Here's an update of the things that have happened to our films and people since they began their countdown to stardom at The Method Fest.

2004, YEAR SIX

• Intoxicating, (Current theatrical release with Loews Cineplex, AMC and Regal theatre chains) via Rogue Arts and American World Pictures.
• Seven Times Lucky – theatrical release in Canada I Love Your Work – to be released theatrically in the U.S. in late 2004
• Emile – Canadian DVD / video release; upcoming (January 2005) US theatrical release, Castle Hill productions.
• Close Your Eyes - opened theatrically in the US; now out on DVD
• Perfect Strangers – released theatrically in New York and Los Angeles; now out on DVD.
• A Silent Love – released theatrically in the U.S. by Orsino Publicity.

2003, YEAR FIVE

• Julie Walking Home (aka The Healer) - Acquired for US theatrical release by First Look /Overseas Film Group
• Leo - Acquired for US theatrical release by First Look /Overseas Film Group
• Raising Victor Vargas – released theatrically in the U.S.
• Burning Down The House - Sold to all major video retailers (Blockbuster, Hollywood Video, Movie Gallery and Netflix) via Vanguard Cinema.
• Bun-Bun (short film) - HBO

2002, YEAR FOUR

• To End All Wars - Released theatrically in the U.S.
• Flickering Lights - Number one box office hit in home country of Denmark. Released theatrically in the U.S by Rogue Arts, and recently to DVD.
• I Love Budapest - Released theatrically in the U.S by Rogue Arts (formerly FilmKitchen), recently to DVD
• The Good War - Italian theatrical release. Recently released theatrical in the US at Pacific's Arclight Cinemas and premiering to DVD with Monarch Home Video on Nov 30th.
• Man of the Year – released theatrically in the U.S.
• Killer Me - released to all major chains on DVD through Vanguard Cinema.

2001, YEAR THREE

• Jump Tomorrow - theatrically released (IFC)
• I Will Survive (Sobrevivire) - theatrically released through Hollywood Independents
• Finder's Fee - premiered on HBO; acquired by Lions Gate, to be released on DVD
• ABCD - theatrically released The Book of Stars - released to video through Winstar
• Exiles in Paradise - released on Canadian television
• Falling Like This – theatrically released by Ooutrider. On DVD through Vanguard Cinema
• Hard Luck - Released theatrically in six cities by Rogue Arts (formerly FilmKitchen) and to DVD via Vanguard Cinema.
• John John In The Sky - sold to cable, (Lifetime)
• Lansdown - theatrically released by Outrider. On DVD through Vanguard Cinema.
• Mission - Released to DVD by Vanguard Cinema.
• The Restless - theatrically released - Laemmle theaters international series
• Rustin - theatrical release in the south in several cities, released to DVD by Vanguard Cinema.

2000, YEAR TWO

• The Visit - which had its world premiere at the 2000 The Method Fest, received five Independent Spirit Award nominations and a National Board Special recognition, including one for Method Fest Best Actor Hill Harper. Released theatrically for Academy consideration in December 2000 in Los Angeles, followed by a 250-city theatrical release through New Line Cinema (international sales agent Shoreline Entertainment).
• Poor White Trash - Trident Releasing for international sales and Hollywood Independents for U.S. distribution, was released theatrically in Los Angeles then on home video.
• What I Like About You - was acquired by S-Entertainment for worldwide distribution.
• Sweet Thing - was released by First Rites / The Asylum on home video and DVD.
• Jimmy Zip - released to home video and DVD by The Asylum, also sold overseas through Atmosphere Entertainment, and to Showtime.
• Stanley's Gig - has been sold to cable TV. Trash - was released on video (Blockbuster) in March 2001.
• Rollercoaster, - was released theatrically in Canada, and signed with 3DD for foreign sales.
• The Young Unknowns - one of the favorites at the 2000 Method Fest, went on to be accepted at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival, and was acquired by Menemsha Entertainment for international sales. The film has screened theatrically in LA and NY with Indican Releasing.

1999, YEAR ONE

• My Sweet Killer - theatrically released in Los Angeles by Method Fest releasing, was released to home video and DVD by The Asylum, with 31,000 rentals in the first month. Additionally, the film has been sold to Germany, Italy, Canada, Argentina, Australia, Thailand, and China. Lead actor Kirk Harris, winner of The Method Fest's Maverick Award, has gone on to star in FilmKitchen.com's Hard Luck and Intoxicating and was signed by the legendary manager/producer Herb Nanas (Albert Brooks, Silvester Stallone, producer of First Blood, Defending Your Life, etc.).
• Went to Coney Island on a Mission From God...Be Back By Five - acquired by Phaedra Cinema at the Method Fest, was released theatrically in September 2000 then to home video.
• Lucinda's Spell - was released theatrically in Los Angeles and New York, and is now available on home video.
• Johnny Famous - Gergely Fonyo's drama starring Jon Jacobs, has been nominated for the Hungarian Oscar.
• The Scottish Tale - was released to home video by The Asylum.
• The Night Orchid – was released to home video by The Asylum.
• Dumbarton Bridge - debuted on cable (BET Movies, Starz/Encore) recently. Sold to Blockbuster for home entertainment.
• The Corndog Man - was sold to the Sundance Channel and to Blockbuster Home Video. Method Fest Best Actor winner Noble Willingham also received an IFP West Independent Spirit Award nomination.