MALIBU FILM FESTIVAL MARCHES ON

By Joshua R. Marks

 

            Despite many of the films and parties taking place in Santa Monica, the Malibu International Film Festival has always been about that secluded beach town with all the surfers and celebrities.

            Now in its seventh year, founder David Katz’ vision of a Sundance-by-the-sea on Malibu’s golden shores is still very much a work in progress. That it has been able to survive this long is cause for celebration given the many obstacles faced since Katz, an industry kid who grew up in Malibu, started the Malibu Film Foundation in 1997 to raise funds for the film festival.

            A couple of years after Katz started his non-profit organization, the inaugural Malibu International Film Festival kicked off with the help of two Malibu residents who saw a future in his project. Lilly Lawrence, a noted philanthropist, and John Paul DeJoria, co-founder and CEO of Paul Mitchell Systems, decided to sponsor Katz to help make the film festival a reality . In 1999 Lawrence launched the opening party for the festival at her castle on a hill overlooking the Malibu Beach and Lagoon. Over 200 guests wined and dined at the castle until dawn.

            “We thought it was a brilliant idea to have a unique film festival in Malibu. It seemed that Sundance had a great one and that is a very unique place. And of course Malibu is equally unique a place,” said Dejoria from his main residence in Austin, Texas (he has a holiday home in Malibu).

            The actual festival that first year wasn’t as spectacular as the castle party that preceded it. The event took place over seven days in tents set up along Pacific Coast Highway and was almost a washout due to spring rains. Parking was also a problem. After skipping a year, the festival returned in 2001 with a shorter schedule of three days. There was more parking and a dry venue – the New Malibu Theater. The City of Malibu also decided to give financial assistance to the film festival. The next year brought the film fest back to Lawrence’s castle for a black-tie gala fundraiser. The third annual festival had record attendance, with more ticket sales the first week than the first two festivals combined.  

            “The crowds have gotten a lot bigger,” said Jordan Gann, former media coordinator for the festival. “Filmmakers love the people that the Malibu Film Festival brings out. Every year is a huge success. You learn what works and what doesn’t. You find ways to cut corners and make it bigger and better.”

            The fourth annual festival featured a second theater in addition to the New Malibu Theater. The House of Documentaries took place in a converted room at the Malibu Library. A total of 50 films screened that year. In 2004 the number of films screened jumped to 80. The festival included a Pitch Day for up-and-coming filmmakers to network with industry people and Best of Fest screenings, which showcased the winners along with winners from other international festivals.

            “The Malibu Film Festival is a great way for young filmmakers to get their films noticed,” said Matt Treinish, who was festival director in 2004 and is currently producing a film called “7-10 Split,” starring Tara Reid. “To have their films seen by everybody on the Malibu Pier as the sun goes down is a pretty cool thing.”

            Last year the festival moved from the fall to the spring. It was also the first year that all the screenings were held outside of Malibu proper. The historic Aero Theater in Santa Monica hosted the films, which meant a short drive down PCH for Malibu residents.

            Last April, the same month the festival was held, an electrical short caused a fire at Malibu’s Creek Plaza which resulted in extensive damage to the Malibu Theater. The city pledged to help with the rebuilding process but the venue won’t be ready in time for this year’s festival. Using the resourcefulness that has been a part of the festival planning process from the beginning, Katz is building a 200-seat tented theater in the plaza parking lot in front of the Malibu Theater. It will be constructed the day before the festival is scheduled to start.

            Malibu city council member Pamela Conley Ulich said the city has been behind Katz from the beginning, giving him $10,000 in seed money in 2001. She also said the residents of Malibu appreciate the artistic value of the festival and the chance for exposure these young kids have because of the fest.

            “I am hopeful that the City of Malibu will partner with the film festival to promote the arts and culture in Malibu,” said Ulich.

            Malibu Mayor Andy Stern commented, “I think it’s a great event. It’s always enjoyable.”          

            Whether in Santa Monica or Malibu, Katz has always emphasized quality over quantity, and the steady flow of attendees who line up to see the films year after year attest to this.

            Dejoria tells the story about how a couple of years ago he and his wife went down to attend a film at the festival and the show was so booked they couldn’t get a seat. “I remember standing on the side of one of the aisles of the theater watching it with my wife. It was pretty cool. That was pretty exciting. We thought they had some great possibilities.”