On the deck of the newly redesigned Candlelight Kitchen & Bar, over 300 people gathered to raise money for the first ever Ventura Film Festival (VFF), coming March 26 – 29. The event featured a benefit auction where goods and services from sponsors and auction vendors including the Anacapa Brewing Co. and My Florist Café raised nearly $8,000 for the festival and the Ventura Film Society's efforts to become the alternative cinema source in Ventura County. Festival films previewed during the evening included of a 27-minute VFF preview reel containing 14 of the films selected for the festival premiere. Founder and director Lorenzo DeStefano and VFF art director Robert Catalusci spoke about the Neighborhood Cinema Program, a festival arts education program that encourages marginalized community members to use the VFF as a forum for their own stories. Filmmakers, art community members, and local politicians were among the guests who enjoyed a musical performance by local indie and folk music performer Emy Reynolds & Friends.
Photos: © www.davidpuu.com
02-01-2009
