ARTS: Coronado Island Film Festival celebrates sixth year

Coronado Island Film FestivalFilm Festival Champagne Reception Garden Courtyard, Hotel Del Coronado

Group celebrates sixth anniversary in November

By Merridee Book Photos Courtesy of the Coronado Island Film Festival

The Coronado Island Film Festival is celebrating it’s sixth year on NOVEMBER 10-14 with in-person screenings that include studio and independent features, documentaries, shorts, international fi lms, panels, the culinary cinema series, workshops and the Leonard Maltin Celebrity Tribute Awards & Dinner. The festival will also host a selection of curated on-demand fi lms that can be screened anytime during the fi lm festival.

The festival launches this year on Wednesday, November 10 with the Kick-O BASH! that will serves as the o cial badge pickup, fi lm preview night, and the Taste of the Festival featuring 15 to 17 restaurants and eateries, hosted beverages wine and beer.

This event is open to the public so you do not need to be a badge holder to join the festivities It is a great way to engage with the festival for those who have never attended, and for annual badge holders this is a much anticipated kicko to 4 days of cinematic stories, meeting fi lmmakers, industry luminaries and mingling with fi lm lovers and interesting people.

The festival gets into full swing on Thursday, Nov. 11 so grab those comfy shoes and head over to the festival Hospitality Center and Box O ce opening at 9:30 (located at the Spreckel’s Center).

Executive Director, Merridee Book, Michelle Philips (Mamas & Papas), Director, Andrew Slater and Producer, Eric Barrett

Select screenings and shorts will open. This is also Veterans Day and the festival has partnered with the Coronado Band, Music Vitale, and the Coronado Chamber for an incredible Salute to Veterans matinee program and performance at 1 p.m.. This event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required on a fi rst-come basis. We encourage our veterans and families from all military branches to join us for this moving salute to honor the commitment and sacrifi ce that is made both on the battlefi eld and the homefront. Bring a Kleenex! Thursday is also the Opening Night Red Carpet fi lm screenings at Village theater followed by “The After Party.”

This year the festival has a robust and diverse fi lm selection of international features and documentaries from Iran, Albania, France, Kosovo, Italy, Belgium, and Bangladesh to name a few. Showcasing stories from around the globe brings us together through our shared human experiences and expands our understanding that love, life, loss and joy shape who we are no matter where we live. These fi lms will be shown in the festival’s International Screening Room at Village Theatre.

Leonard Maltin, the festival host and honorary head juror is back this year! As host of the festival’s signature red carpet event, The Leonard Maltin Celebrity Awards & Dinner in the Crown Room at the Hotel Del, he will honor the best, innovative and creative talent in the industry. For the fi rst-time ever, individual tickets will now be available for purchase; this event typically sells out so quantities will be limited and sold on a fi rst come basis. Past honorees include Cloris Leachman, Dean Cundey, Michelle Philips, John Toll, Lois Burwell, Diane Warren, Kris Bowers, Stephen Bishop, Alex Wol , Andy Garcia, and Jacob Trembly. The evening starts with a pre-reception in the Garden Patio and move to the ballroom for dinner and the award presentation. Cocktail attire always surprises with candid moments and unforgettable conversation

New this year is the all-inclusive Emerald Badge, an incredible value and the best way to fest. The badge includes access to all the festival o ers: screenings, culinary cinema, workshops, happy hour, panels and parties (does not include the Celebrity Tribute). Access does not guarantee a seat, reservations are required for all events this year. Individual tickets to screenings, panels and events, will be sold online or at the festival box o ce and will be available up to 15 minutes before a show begins if not sold out. There will be no “rush” tickets this year at the door.

The Festival Events At-a-Glance

Nov. 10 Kick O BASH! Badge Pick Up Taste of the Festival

Nov. 11 Salute to Veterans Opening Night Film @ Village The After Party

Nov. 12 The Leonard Maltin Celebrity Tribute Crown Room Hotel Del Coronado

Nov. 13 Centerpiece Film Jury Awards (invite-only)

Nov. 14 Closing Night Screenings Some Like It Hot Celebration Vista Terrace Hotel Del

Individual Tickets range from $15-$200 and will be available online or at the festival box o ce. www.coronadofi lmfest.com or call 619.821.9924

• Merridee Book began working as Executive Director for the Coronado Island Film Festival in 2019 and believes fi lm is the most powerful tool to change the world.

Oscar-nominated producer, Lisa Bruce with friends and family.

Attendees at the 2019 Opening Night Taste of the Festival

Celebrity Tribute Gala in the iconic Crown Room at the Hotel Del

Producers, Ricardo Del Rio and Sue-Allen Villava, 2019 Humanitarian Award recipient, Immaculée Ilibagiza and Katie Landry at the Celebrity Tribute