Los Gatos, California Since1881
Town News
| Annual film festival returns to Los Gatos By Gloria I. Wang Against the backdrop of an inky blue sky, ahuge, glowing moon rises above the horizon.And in front of the moon, above the tops oftrees, a boy rides a bicycle, accompanied bya blanket-wrapped bundle in the front basket. Los Gatans gathered at Oak Meadow Park willwatch in awe as this phenomenon occurs theevening of Aug. 23. The scene of a starrysky, however, will be broadcast on a screenagainst an actual starry sky at the secondannual community film weekend. The three-day event includes a free showingof E.T.—The Extra-Terrestrial onFriday night, billed as "Screen on the Greenin Los Gatos." Event organizers expect that,like last year, hundreds will arrive withblankets and coolers to watch thefamily-friendly movie. And, like last year, the Los Gatos Cinemawill show three or four as-yet undeterminedmovies the following day as part of the LosGatos Film Festival. What's new in 2002 are the bookend events - ashowcase for aspiring filmmakers Thursdayafternoon and a gala at the Toll House HotelSaturday night. "Reel Beginnings" will feature short filmsfrom Los Gatos residents of all ages. TheTown of Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce isaccepting applications from hopefuls; thesubmitted films will be judged by localprofessionals and selections shown at LosGatos Cinema Aug. 22. According to Los Gatos Councilman JoePirzynski, the screening will include shortintroductions from the filmmakers on thebackground and technique of their films.Pirzynski said that event organizers willsolicit applicants from local summer and artschools. The application deadline is Aug. 1. The Toll House gala, titled "It's a Wrap,"will be "a fun, Hollywood-style event," saidDiane McNutt, chairwoman of the Los GatosFilm Festival Steering Committee. Partygoersare encouraged to dress in costume or dig outthe sequins and the fake fur. "It's not goingto be a stuffy, black-tie kind of thing atall," McNutt said. For a fee, attendees will enjoy horsd'oeuvres, wine and entertainment, as well as"some surprises," McNutt said. Tickets for all the events will be on sale inearly August, once the steering committeesets the prices. Willow Street Wood-Fired Pizza is donatingthe Saturday morning kickoff brunch,available in a package for those who purchasetickets to the films at the Los Gatos Cinema. Pirzynski was the main driving force behindthe October 2001 inaugural film festival.While organizers expected a crowd of about500, Pirzynski was thrilled when an estimated800 to 1,000 people showed up. "This year is going to be even bigger andbetter than last year," Pirzynski said. |
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