Malibuite Tony Danza, who was born in Brooklyn, adds last minute entry to festival. The actor, producer and director will also MC the awards dinner at Taverna Tony.
By Cathy Neiman /Staff Writer
Hopeful of being discovered, promoted or having their films just seen and enjoyed, more film festival entries are coming out of the woodwork as the Malibu Film Festival draws near.
Tony Danza, celebrity and 15-year Malibu resident, is a last-minute entrant to the festival, showcasing his film “Mama Mia.” The film is about the relationship between a man and his mother. Danza will also be the celebrity master of ceremonies at the awards dinner on Aug. 22.
“I am very excited about being a part of the film festival this year,” said Danza. “Anything to help and promote Malibu.”
One film from New York that has a serious buzz surrounding it is Jesse Scolaro’s short feature film, “Manito.” The film has won several awards from various film festivals, including winning the Special Jury Prize at Sundance.
“Manito” is about two brothers, one getting out of prison and trying to get his life back, and the younger brother, who is the hope and dream of the family.
“Manito” has surpassed all of my goals, said Scolaro. “We have gotten wonderful responses from all over the world.”
On the other side of the globe, in the United Kingdom, filmmaker Julian Richards posted a script on his Web site. Two weeks later an investor responded and was willing to put up 3 million pounds (approximately $5 million) for the making of the film, “Silent Cry.”
“It was truly a miracle,” Richards said.
The film is about a single mother’s search for her stolen newborn baby, and the story carries the viewer through London’s underbelly.
“The film is dark yet has a big heart,” Richards said.
As far as distribution goes, filmmaker Lawrence Bridges is showing his movie, “12,” in a very unorthodox way. Bridges presents his film like a “happening,” showing it on the sides of buildings in Los Angeles.
“12” is a modern day story of Greek gods that are stranded on Channel Island and waiting for eviction.
“I chose Los Angeles to be the backdrop for this film because Los Angles is a star-crossed city. There are floods, fires, riots and earthquakes.” The logistics for where “12” will be shown at the Malibu Film Festival is still in question.
In the vein of unorthodox films and filmmakers, Gianni Lazuli, Malibu resident and student of last year’s Malibu Film Festival workshop, is showing two of his shorts, “Wood,” and “Dot Compost Heap.”
Lazuli moved to Los Angles to become an actor and wound up delivering pizza. After the buzz of delivering pizza wore off, Lazuli opened up a travel dot-com company.
“That is where ‘Dot Compost Heap’ came about,” said Lazuli. “It is a movie about my failure.”
Another Malibu resident, local cable show diva Jena Chanel, is showing her short film, “I’m Dying.” The movie stars Chanel’s daughter, Veronica Zane Chanel. Jena Chanel wrote, directed and produced the short film, but let her daughter have full creative control.
“I didn’t want to interfere with [Veronica’s] thoughts because it is a young film,” Chanel said.
The story is about two best friends, with one friend memorializing her friend’s plight through a song.
Mark Anthony Galluzzo’s “R.S.V.P.” is about the plight of best friends.
“The film is a rock ‘n’ roll ode to Hitchcock,” Galluzzo said. “It’s a bloodless-style thrasher movie.” The story takes place in Las Vegas, where a group of college graduates get together and have a party, and each guest gets killed, one by one.
Malibu resident Jimi Petulla wrote, produced and acted in his feature film, “Reversal.” Based on Petulla’s life, it is a heart-felt film about the relationship between a father and son, with the background of high school wrestling. Petulla plays his over-bearing father.
“The biggest thrill I got in making ‘Reversal’ is the bond I created with my father,” said an emotional Petulla. “Out of love there is a blind spot. Even though my father did love me, he almost killed me by pushing me so hard.”
This year, instead of the workshops of the previous years, the film festival will have only a Q-and-A seminar from the filmmakers.
On Aug. 17, the Truth Truck, a nonprofit organization, will be outside the New Malibu Theater during the afternoon screenings to promote awareness of the dangers of cigarette smoking and drugs to youth.
Another exciting note-Wolfgang Puck is scheduled to cater the opening night gala on Aug. 16. For more information, log onto www.malibufilmfestival.com.