KICK-OFF BRUNCH
FOOD & FILM

SLFF KICK OFF BRUNCH: SEX, FOOD AND VIDEOTAPE
WITH ALBERT SONNENFELD, PH.D.
SUN 9/16, 12:00PM VERMONT RESTAURANT

Come kick off the 2001 SLFF in style at Vermont Restaurant (1714 North Vermont Ave) in the heart of Los Feliz! Feast on such popular food-oriented films as LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE, BABETTE'S FEAST and TAMPOPO, while nibbling on the thoughts of distinguished author, Albert Sonnenfeld, Ph.D, at this sumptuous lecture/presentation. The brunch is $40pp, $75 for two, or $125 for a table of four. Includes the video presentation and lecture, and complimentary brunch with wine or cocktails. Buy early: seating is limited.

OPENING NIGHT GALA
SPIRIT OF SILVER LAKE AWARD: CASSANDRA PETERSON

ELVIRA'S HAUNTED HILLS
SUN 9/16, 7:00PM THE VISTA THEATER
DIR: SAM IRVIN, 2001, USA, 35MM, 89MIN (video projection)

SLFF's 2nd annual Spirit of Silver Lake Award for a performer goes to the inimitable Cassandra Peterson, also known as Elvira. The two icons (one real, one created) are both celebrating big landmarks this year: 2001 marks Elvira's 20th anniversary and, at midnight after the screening, it's Cassandra's actual birthday. What better way to celebrate than to screen the second feature film dedicated to this wild creature of the night? Self-financed and fully independent, Elvira's latest is a loving homage to Corman's Poe movies with ribald humor that makes for a hilarious cineaste's confection. With Rocky Horror's Richard O'Brien and MAD TV's Mary Scheer. The place: Carpathia. The year: 1851. Beautiful Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, gets more than she bargained for when she spends the night at a creepy castle. The size of fear just doubled!

Join Ms. Peterson before the screening as she sinks her spiked heels into the cement in front of the historic Vista Theater, followed by the West Coast Premiere of ELVIRA'S HAUNTED HILLS. SLFF's Opening Night creepshow continues as we celebrate Elvira/Cassandra at an Anniversary/Birthday bash, at the Hollywood Hills Restaurant on Vermont Avenue, catered by Hollywood Hills and Black Vodka.

CENTERPIECE GALA
SPIRIT OF SILVER LAKE AWARD: PENELOPE SPHEERIS
sponsored by

WE SOLD OUR SOULS FOR ROCK 'N' ROLL
THU 9/20, 7:00PM THE VISTA THEATER
DIR: PENELOPE SPHEERIS, 2001, USA, 35MM, 90MIN

SLFF's 2nd annual Spirit of Silver Lake Award for a filmmaker goes to Penelope Spheeris, iconic chronicler of the Decline of Western Civilization and the woman who slipped her subversive POV into the studio system in the mega-hit WAYNE'S WORLD.

In 2001, Spheeris focuses her sharp eye on Ozfest and the next threat to the status quo--the anti-establishment-tinged phenomenon of Heavy Metal fans and bands. The big star here isn't just Ozzy Osbourne--at his mesmerizing best--but the assured filmmaking of Ms. Spheeris, who never ceases to inspire in her ability to excavate real meaning from her off-beat real life subjects.

The night begins with a bang as Ms. Spheeris immortalizes her hand and footprints in the cement in front of the historic Vista Theater, followed by the can't-miss-it West Coast Premiere of WE SOLD OUR SOULS FOR ROCK 'N' ROLL. Silver Lake really starts to rock at the Centerpiece Gala blow-out extravaganza, directly following at Rudy's Barbershop, featuring the all-girl Black Sabbath cover band, The War Pigs. Wow.

LOCALS ONLY CENTERPIECE GALA
US PREMIERE/SNEAK PREVIEW
sponsored by

THE FLUFFER
FRI 9/21, 7:00PM THE VISTA THEATER
DIR: RICHARD GLATZER & WASH WEST, 2001, USA, 35MM, 85MIN

This year the SLFF expands into an eight-day event, with the first four days of the festival devoted entirely to independently-produced features and shorts by local area filmmakers that embody the multi-cultural, all-ages, avant-garde festival mandate.

Our Locals Only centerpiece film is a sneak preview of the notorious about-to-be-released First Run Features satire of the gay porn industry, THE FLUFFER, which will hit theaters in November.

Co-directors Glatzer and West deliver a dark and witty exposÚ about an accidental video rental ("Citizen Cum" instead of "Citizen Kane") that leads to an unrequited obsession. Sean falls hard and fast for porn star Johnny Rebel. A few cheeky plot turns later, he lands his dream job as the fluffer of the title. What is a fluffer you ask? One who provides the necessary stimulation that enables a porn star to "perform." Only problem is, in real life, Johnny is a gay-for-pay only, horn-dog straight dude with a lap-dancer for a girlfriend. With Michael Cunio, Scott Gurney, Roxanne Day and the always amazing Debbie Harry as the lesbian owner of a strip club.

Join us afterwards at Silver Lake's historic leather bar, Gauntlet II, for a wild and sexy private after-party. Mingle with the cast and your favorite porno stars and (maybe) get lucky!

LOCALS ONLY SHOWCASE Don't miss the other Locals Only programs, playing throughout the fest. From Marshall High students to Burlesque revival performers, from Beck on screen to the Carnival in Trinidad, and from apocalyptic feminists to immigrants in bunny suits, the films made by the local gentry are really out there!

Antonio Moreno

CLOSING NIGHT GALA
2ND ANNUAL ANTONIO MORENO NIGHT

IT
SUN 9/23, 7:00PM THE PARAMOUR
DIR: CLARENCE BADGER (and JOSEF VON STERNBERG)
1927, USA, 35MM-SILENT, 97MIN

sponsored by

In 1927, the year was defined by two events that reflected America's new-found infatuation with youthful exuberance. Lindbergh crossed the Atlantic and Clara Bow exploded onto the screen as the "it girl." Scandalizing Hollywood with her torrid love affairs with Gary Cooper and Gilbert Roland, the flaming red-haired ingenue no doubt enjoyed a one-on-one viewing of IT, the movie that cemented her girl-of-the-moment status, at the hilltop villa of her dashingly handsome co-star Antonio Moreno.

You, too, can have a private screening at Moreno's manor, now known as The Paramour, during our Closing Night Gala festivities.

The evening begins with a pre-screening cocktail party, featuring a scrumptious buffet by Silver Lake's Picholino gourmet shop. Following the festival's Closing Night Awards Ceremony celebrating the Best of SLFF 2001, just as the sun sets behind the Hollywood Hills, a newly restored master print of IT will be screened outdoors on the lawn of the estate, with live musical accompaniment. The magic continues with an after-screening party inside the mansion.

PLEASE NOTE THERE IS NO PARKING NOR MAY GUESTS BE DROPPED OFF AT THE PARAMOUR. ALL GUESTS MUST PARK AT KCET (4401 W SUNSET) and use the shuttle buses that will be provided for the event. Only guests who are shuttled into the estate will be admitted. No one may walk in to the gates. There can be absolutely no exceptions!

READINGS & BOOK SIGNINGS
@ Skylight Books

WARHOL HAPPENING
CANCELLED - AUTHOR IN NY AND UNABLE TO ATTEND

Warhol biographer Wayne Koestenbaum discusses the artist's films. Special guest appearance by Warhol film star Mary Woronov, last year's recipient of the Spirit of Silver Lake Award, and star of THE NEW WOMEN.

MOON UNIT ZAPPA
Saturday, September 22, 5 pm

Actress, writer and creative hyphenate Moon Zappa reads from her new novel, "America, The Beautiful."

AWARDS
THE SCREENPLAY COMPETITION

Saturday, September 22, 6 pm
AFI - Mark Goodson Theater (Free event)

Three separate citations for excellence in screenwriting will be awarded: a Grand Prize winner, a Locals Only winner and a Cable Positive Award for a screenplay that adresses HIV/AIDS issues. The recipient of the SilverScreen Grand Prize will be showcased in a staged reading featuring special guest stars at the American Film Institute. Free.

ABOUT THE TRAILER CONTEST
Winner: Lorena David

Apart from our Official Festival Trailers, this year we held our first SLFF Trailer Contest. From cyber to sublime, from country to funky, each entry shared its own vision of Silver Lake. The contest winner is Lorena David. The Official Trailers and Lorena's winning entry are playing all month at the Los Feliz Cinemas. All of the submitted trailers can be seen during the Silver Lake Veritas program.