Lake Arrowhead Film Festival Suspends Operations

                                   

It’s nearly that time of year again, when filmmakers from all over the world will begin to submit their films in hopes of showcasing them to eager audiences at the Lake Arrowhead Film Festival. 

Instead, Festival Director Mary Dippell has announced the Lake Arrowhead Film Festival Board of Directors will temporarily suspend operations until funding sources for the ailing non-profit can be secured.

LAFF attracts around 1,400 film-lovers, filmmakers and celebrities to the Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa each year. This year would have marked the Festival’s 14th year of bringing the best independent films to Lake Arrowhead, California. 

The Lake Arrowhead Film Festival debuted in the spring of 1999.  Originally, the goal of the LAFF was to bring innovative, independent films to the mountain communities to celebrate the spirit of filmmaking and to showcase the beautiful mountain surroundings, a perfect setting for an elegant and intimate film festival.  The San Bernardino Mountains were often called "Hollywood's back lot" because of the enormous number of films shot in the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. 

The first Festival premiered about 25 films with a good mix of shorts, documentaries and feature films. Now the Festival receives over 250 film submissions from students, Native Americans and independent filmmakers each year.

Festival honorees have included those with local ties, such as June Lockhart, Christopher McDonald, Harry Sherman, Vincent Spano, and Ernie Hudson; as well as distinguished film families such as the Kirk Douglas family, the John Carradine family, and the Donald Petrie family. LAFF also honored legendary performers Gena Rowlands, Eric Roberts, Joe Mantegna, Beau Bridges, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Richard Chamberlain, Wes Studi, and Kathleen Quinlan.

The Lake Arrowhead Film Festival is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. To survive, the Festival relies on grants and donations from organizations and individuals.

Visit www.filmfestival.com/friends_of_the_film_festival.com  to contribute to the Festival's ongoing efforts to raise funds to resume operations.

 

 

 

 

                                         Lake Arrowhead Film Festival is a 501(C) 3 non-profit organization. Tax ID Number: 010630006