San Pedro International Film Festival Celebrates 5th Year
10 days of Film, Music, Art and Technology
Los Angeles – The San Pedro International Film Festival (SPIFFest) celebrates its 5th anniversary presenting one of the South Bay’s largest film festivals from October 6-16, 2016 in San Pedro’s Historic Waterfront District. SPIFFest marks this 5-year milestone with expanded multimedia programming for 10 days over two weekends, including art, music and the latest technology innovations spotlighting virtual reality.
The festival kicks off October 6th during San Pedro’s First Thursday Artwalk presenting an art exhibition in conjunction with the documentary Dark Progressivism, directed by Rodrigo Ribera d’Ebre. The film covers LA’s history of murals, tagging and street art born during the urban upheaval of the 80s and 90s. The film screens October 15 as part of an evening of programming presented with the San Pedro Waterfront Arts District in the historical elegance of the Warner Grand Theatre. *
A screening of Playing Lecuona follows, the stunning documentary film that explores Cuban pianist & composer Ernesto Lecuona’s influence through the lens of three of the maestro’s most well-known jazz pianist descendants: Chucho Valdés, son of renowned bandleader and composer Bebo Valdés; Gonzalo Rubalcaba, a Cuban from the generation after Chucho; and the Dominican Michel Camilo. Says Linda Grimes, Managing Director of the San Pedro Waterfront Arts District, “We are thrilled to partner with SPIFFest in sponsoring these two films celebrating Chicano art and Cuban music.” The evening concludes with a VIP reception.
SPIFFest presents its first tech event October 8th with a look at Virtual Reality and its applications in cinema and entertainment, featuring a panel discussion and demo of the latest works by some of today’s top VR innovators including Oscar winning visual affects artist Kevin Mack (What Dreams May Come, 1999)
Beloved music store Alva’s hosts a music showcase on October 14 with innovative master of styles, John Heussenstamm (Surf Punks, Deniece Williams). The event begins with a meet and greet book signing for Heussenstamm’s widely respected books 100 Jazz Lessons and 100 Blues Lessons, published by Hal Leonard; live music follows with his Blues Fusion Trio, featuring special guest jazz pianist Ron Kobayashi (Mel Tormé, Peter Frampton, Tom Scott). Tickets and festival passes range from $10 to $65 and can be purchased at www.SPIFFest.org