Imperial Beach event makes debut Friday

By Janine Zúñiga
STAFF WRITER

October 1, 2003

IMPERIAL BEACH – It's no Cannes. It's no Sundance. Heck, it's not even Palm Springs. But this small beach town hopes to make a splash this weekend with the debut of the Imperial Beach International Film Festival.

The festival, featuring more than 100 films from 10 countries, joins several others in San Diego County – including the San Diego Film Festival, the Latino and Asian film festivals and the San Diego Jewish Film Festival – in bringing independent and small-budget films to local audiences.

In addition to providing a venue for local filmmakers to showcase their work, organizers said the festival will give those outside of Imperial Beach another reason to come to town.

"Ours is going to be a bit different from what others are doing," said festival founder Steve Futterman, who started the nonprofit South County Renaissance Project, a group that sponsors cultural events. "Other film festivals usually attract real film buffs. We're trying to get regular people, people who are interested in seeing short films, experimental films, documentaries."

Kicking off the three-day festival Friday will be the romantic comedy "The Month of August," a film set in San Diego, and writer-director John Carlos Frey's award-winning film, "The Gatekeeper."

Frey, who was born in Tijuana and grew up in Imperial Beach, rearranged his busy promotions schedule to be at the festival. Frey, 39, still has family in Imperial Beach.

"I shot a large portion of the film in Imperial Beach and the border area," Frey said. "When they contacted me and asked if I wanted to participate, I said yes. I thought it was really important."

Frey's film, which has won prizes at seven film festivals, tells the story of a hard-nosed Border Patrol agent who comes to terms with his half-Mexican ancestry. It is currently in theaters across the country.

Twenty films from Mexico, as well as some from France, Germany and Austria, will be screened. Categories include drama, comedy, animation, experimental, nonfiction, music video, documentary and public service announcements.

The festival also will feature the Southern California premiere of 10 short films shown last month at the Giggleshorts International Comedy Film Festival in Toronto, Futterman said.

Indie cult classic "The Boondock Saints," by writer and director Troy Duffy, will screen Saturday. Chris Brinker, the movie's producer, will conduct one of the five workshops at the festival. Duffy and actor David Della Rocco will be on hand for the screening and workshop.

On Sunday morning, the festival will feature the family film "My Brother the Pig." Closing the festival will be "Endless Summer – The Journey Continues."

Futterman, who has no experience organizing film festivals, said he decided to start one in Imperial Beach to bring more art and culture to the city. Proceeds will benefit arts and technology programs for local kids through the South County Renaissance Project.

A day pass costs $10. A three-day pass costs $25 and includes one workshop. Additional workshops cost $10. Tickets to the opening night reception are $25 or $15 with the purchase of the three-day pass.

Although he has received help from the Imperial Beach Chamber of Commerce and various businesses in town, Futterman has spent $15,000 of his own money on the project. He also credits Point Loma High School drama and film teacher Larry Zeiger with getting the festival organized.

Films will be shown at the Imperial Beach Boys & Girls Club, 847 Encina Ave.; Tijuana Estuary Visitors Center, 301 Caspian Way; Dempsey Holder Safety Center, 950 Ocean Lane; and Portwood Pier Plaza, on Seacoast Drive.

Both opening night films will screen at about 7 p.m. "The Gatekeeper" will be shown at the Boys & Girls Club and "The Month of August" at Pier Plaza.

Futterman said he is keeping as much business in the city as he can by using local printers, Internet shops and restaurants. He said he hopes the film festival will provide a showcase for the developing talents of film enthusiasts for years to come and become a fixture in Imperial Beach.

"We hope people will come with an open mind," Futterman said. "Not all the films will appeal to everyone, but they will create conversation. We just want people to come down. They might like it."

For tickets, call (619) 934-0051 or visit the Web site at www.ibfilmfestival.com.

Copyright 2003 Union-Tribune Publishing Co.