By Daily Press staff
The Santa Monica Film Festival is back in action beginning this weekend.
During the past six years, the Santa Monica Film has developed into a world-class event, screening the most innovative works of today’s emerging filmmakers, organizers say.
This year, the festival has been expanded into a celebration of film, music and art, along with seminars hosted by Filmmaker’s Alliance and is produced by DEFMAN (Deep Ellum Film, Music, Art and Noise.)
DEFMAN is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the independent arts in Dallas and Santa Monica. The festival is now headed by Michael Cain.
With the change in leadership comes a broadening of the festival’s mission by promoting the arts while raising funds to help support families affected by cancer. The festival also refocused its mission to celebrate the visions and visionaries of “American Independent” film.
Thursday, Feb. 13
Location: Laemmle's Monica 4 Plex
Opening night film: SPUN (Directed by Jonas Akerlund and Starring Brittany Murphy, John Leguizamo, Mena Suvari, Mickey Rourke, Jason Schwartzman, Eric Roberts, Patrick Fugit and Deborah Harry)
9 p.m. Opening Night Party: “Maverick Award for Persistence of Vision,” presented to Trey Parker and Matt Stone.
Friday, Feb. 14
Location: Laemmle’s Monica 4 Plex
7:30 p.m. — LOST JUNCTION and short film A CONFESSION
9:30 p.m. — ANNE B. REAL and short film HEADTRIP
Location: The Yard
7:00 p.m. — Shorts program No. 1
9:30 p.m. — SOUTH PARK BIGGER, LONGER AND UNCUT
Saturday, Feb. 15
Location: Laemmle’s Monica 4 Plex
1 p.m. — SOUNDS OF MEMPHIS; documentary
2:30 p.m. — O.T. OUR TOWN; documentary
4:30 p.m. — Shorts program No. 2
6 p.m. — THE LAST MOVIE — Dennis Hopper tribute film followed by presentation of the Lifetime Achievement for Persistence of Vision Location: Gotham Hall
8:30 p.m. — BRIAR PATCH and short film BOX MAN
10:30 p.m. — GETTING HAL
Location: The Yard
6:30 p.m. — Shorts program No. 3
8:30 p.m. — Chrysler Million Dollar Film Festival Selected Shorts
Location: Midnight Special Book Store
1 p.m. — Directing your First Feature Panel
3 p.m. — The Future of Independent Cinema Panel
Location: Gotham Hall
8 p.m. — “Dirtbox Party.” An art and music extravaganza. Featuring live music by Ozomatli.
Dennis Hopper will be in attendance to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Sunday, Feb. 16
Location: Laemmle’s Monica 4 Plex
1 p.m. — Shorts Block No. 4
3 p.m. — NO SLEEP ‘TIL MADISON
5 p.m. — MY DINNER WITH JIMI
Closing Night Film — 7 p.m. — THE BLUES; documentary (executive produced by Martin Scorsese)
7 p.m. — Falling in Love with Pongo Ponga
9 p.m. — STEVIE; documentary
Location: Midnight Special Book Store
3 p.m. — Digital Video Production
Location: The Yard
6:30 p.m. — Shorts block No. 5
9 p.m. — Awards and closing night party
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 14, 2003. Read the original PDF.