Gone With The Film Festival

A group of visionaries united to create a unique film festival to honor beautifully made films that celebrate the positive aspects of life. May 2009 will mark our annual festival at Barnsdall Gallery Theatre, compiling an impressive list of feature films and shorts in a myriad of genres. Located atop Olive Hill in Hollywood the 11-acre Barnsdall Art Park is also home to the Municipal Art Museum, Arts Center and the Hollyhock House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It's a weekend of independent and student films, offering a variety of Special Events and a One-Of-A-Kind experience in a city notorious for creating a cinematic adventure!

Iris International Film, was established in 2003 to recognize and honor filmmakers whose work explores the human journey by artistically expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life.

In May, Gone With The Film screens independent films from around the world. This includes a Crystal Award for Best: Action/Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Family, Foreign Language, Horror, Student and TV Pilot. We have invited schools in the surrounding communities as part of our program. Iris International Film's goal is to support filmmakers in their quest to create films that bring out the best of the human spirit.

Gone With The Film Festival Director Jody Lee Olhava and Festival Programmer Mario Polanco have both been a part of the story since its beginning and remain a driving force behind the Festival's evolving direction. Jody Lee brings a thirty year career in Repertory theater, television and film. Her highlights include a recurring role on the soap opera “Santa Barbara”, numerous pilots, a variety of Primetime episodes, and an Outstanding Actress Arizoni Award from the Arizona Arts Commission. She directed and Mario produced "Mamochka" A Russian Folktale Retold awarded Best Children's Educational entry at the Berkeley International Film Festival. It was further recognized with The Dove Seal which is only given to films that are Family Friendly by the
The Dove Foundation.

Through the combined efforts of a talented staff, dedicated board and reliable volunteers, the Festival will morph and adapt to changing audiences and initiatives. Gone With The Film Festival's focus is to honor filmmakers whose work explores life's journey by expressing hope and respect for the positive values.

Gone With The Film Festival provides a outlet for promising independent films that otherwise may not gain wide distribution. The film festival's purpose is in excellence, inspiring and enriching lives. All submissions that are received directly from students and producers are considered for the festival.

Entries were received from around the world and throughout the United States. Many of today's great filmmakers and actors started in the film festival circuit and this is your opportunity to sample
their work before they become famous! Last year, the festival screened 30 to 35 films during the Martin Luther King weekend in January. Films included performances by Jay Leno of the
"The Tonight Show with Jay Leno", Chad McQueen, son of Steve McQueen, Martin Sheen of "The West Wing", Donna Douglas of the television classic, "The Beverly Hillbillies" and others that you will recognize from your favorite TV shows. Audiences will be encouraged to participate in Question and Answer forums with the Filmmakers.

The Gone With The Film Festival will be presenting filmmakers with Awards, and honoring The Mary Pickford Foundation, the visionaries behind it. All are welcome.

Please join us in achieving our mission by attending the Festival.

Sincerely,

Jody Lee Olhava, Festival Director
Mario Polanco, Festival Programmer
Gone With The Film Festival 2009