The actual meat of the Malibu Film Festival started Friday evening as the sumptuous bash at the castle on the hill was taking place, with an array of shorts, documentaries and feature films screening at the New Malibu Theatre.
The weekend saw sold-out houses, as the filmmakers, their families and friends, and hopefully, industry people flocked to see the third festival’s fare.
Festival founder and president David Katz said ticket sales during the weekend exceeded combined ticket sales from the entire two previous festivals. Ticketmaster alone sold more than $5,500 for weekend showings.
In what was reminiscent of the screening at the opening-night gala, an outdoor screening took place Monday and Tuesday evenings at Cross Creek, in what was called a “drive-in.” A projector and screen was set up outside the New Malibu Theater, with sound piped in through station 105.7 AM on car radios. About 10 cars and 30 people showed up for Monday night’s drive-in.
During the weekend, the Saturday 7:15 p.m. showing inside took place before a packed house for the showing of “VI,” “Squint,” “Suicide Regimen” and “Ground Bloom Flower.”
Katz spoke briefly Saturday night about his film, “VI,” and about the festival itself.
“I felt it would have been too self-serving to show my films prior to this year,” Katz said. “But I want people to know that I am a filmmaker, too. I am not only the founder, but I am also a client.”
Katz got many laughs at his reference to “The Hair Club for Men” commercial, which has the line, “I’m not only the president, but I’m a member, too.”
Tony Griffin’s film “Squint” got a tremendous response from the audience. The film is about a geekish obituary columnist who transforms into Clint Eastwood.
“Suicide Regimen” is a dark and more serious film about a young suicidal man who meets up with a nefarious character in which he involves himself in a deal allowing himself to be hunted down and killed. Or does he? The audience hollered in appreciation at the end of the film.
“Ground Bloom Flower” was a more complicated film about an urban mystic who enlightens and looks out for three different people in Los Angeles. The filmmakers, James Binaski and Hso Hkam, won last year’s “Audience Choice Award.” Yet this film was very different than last year’s winning film. According to Binaski, he said their previous works were “shoot-em ups,” and they wanted something more spiritual. However, Hkam said he wanted to return to their original genre of violent/gang type films.
In comparing the Malibu Film Festival with other festivals, it is well on its way to becoming one of the more important film festivals. The Palm Springs International Film Festival, now in its eighth year, showcases the largest selection of short films in North America. Many Malibu Film Festival short film entries also enter the Palm Springs festival. The Santa Barbara Film Festival, which is very popular, affluent, and celebrity-oriented, had its 18th year in February with an attendance of more than 40,000 people. On Sunday, it had its annual fundraiser gala at the Bacara Resort & Spa in Goleta.
The Malibu Film Festival, now in its third year, is growing as seen by this weekend’s attendance and interest by various sponsors.
Katz said he believes that good planning and sponsorship have helped tremendously.
The date, Aug. 15, has been set for next year’s festival.
More information on screenings and the awards dinner that will take place at Tavern Tony on Thursday evening can be found at the Web site, www.malibufilmfestival.com or by calling 317.9111.