The Method Fest Independent Film Festival has announced its slate of films for the 11th annual festival, scheduled for March 26-April 2 in Calabasas. A compelling mix of an unprecedented number of world and U.S. premieres as well as several recent worldwide festival debuts highlight the 11th edition of the festival. The festival is named for the legendary, pervasive “method” acting technique championed by Konstantin Stanislavski, Stella Adler, Lee Strasberg and Uta Hagen.
“We’re delighted with this incredible lineup-our best ever-and with the continued great performances by actors in the films selected,” said Don Franken, executive director of The Method Fest. “We’ve prided ourselves on an independent path outside other festivals’ typical lineups. We screen world premieres and true discoveries, mixed with a few larger films.”
John Anderson, a top critic, helps put together the film program for The Method Fest. Regency Agoura Hills 8 Theaters will be the home of the festival, with screenings taking place at various locations.
A number of the Method Fest films this year have to do with the challenges and experiences facing teenagers and young adults.
“Adam,” starring Australian Rose Byrne and Hugh Dancy, will open the festival. Max Mayer’s relationship film about a handsome but odd fellow utterly oblivious to social convention (Dancy) and the woman of his dreams (Byrne) was acquired by Fox Searchlight following its Sundance premiere. Amy Irving and Peter Gallagher also star in the film.
World premieres include “A Deal is a Deal,” starring Mackenzie Crook and Colm Meany as a train engineer and would-be suicide in a very strange bargain. In “Anytown,” starring Matt O’Leary, a high school altercation escalates into a hate crime of international significance. Writer/director Brent Huff’s “Cat City” weaves a twisted tale of betrayal, adultery and deception with Rebecca Pidgeon, Julian Sands and Brian Dennehy. “Dropping In: The True Story of Don Wimmer,” follows Don (David Klane) documentary-style as he seeks to realize his dream of becoming a professional skateboarder-at age 42.
The fest also presents a number of U.S. premieres. They include “Cooper’s Camera,” in which a dysfunctional family’s Christmas disintegrates into madness once an estranged uncle shows up for the holiday. The story is told primarily through the eyes of young Teddy Cooper (Dylan Everett), through the family’s new Christmas present-a second-hand camcorder.
In “Lovers in a Dangerous Time,” writer/director team Mark Hug and May Charters star as childhood friends who reexamine their relationship when reunited at their high school reunion in their late 20s.
In all, the festival features 33 feature films from seven countries and the U.S. The Method Fest also celebrates the art of short film with 10 short film programs, as well as shorts preceding the features.
Opening night on March 26, Indie Music Night, will feature Indie bands, trios and acoustic acts on two stages at Sagebrush Cantina. A gala red-carpet party will take place March 28 celebrating that evening’s premiere screening, “16 to Life.” Sunday, March 29, is community/youth day, with free youth filmmaking, acting and screenwriting workshop, youth screenings and youth bands.
The Method Fest awards will be handed out on April 2, with the Calabasas Civic Center-hosted Awards Ceremony set to air on both Time Warner and Charter Communications.
In making the slate announcement, Method Fest presented a pair of special awards to Peter Bogdanovich and Tanna Frederick. Frederick received the festival’s “Performer to Watch” award. She recently gave an award-winning performance in “Hollywood Dreams.” Bogdanovich received The Method Fest Auteur Director Award for a noted body of work that includes “The Last Picture Show,” which received eight Oscar nominations.
A full schedule of films and other festival information can be found online at www.methodfest.com. Information can also be obtained by calling 310.535.9230.
Tickets are available at www.brownpapertickets.com or by calling 800.838.3006. Ticket prices range from $10 for most individual screenings (excluding opening night, centerpiece films and closing night films), with a festival pass for all screenings, parties, receptions and tributes at $195.