Thanks to everyone for coming :) 

Please check out the official press release… more pics coming soon!

                                                                                             FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                                                                                             September 4, 2008

1^st Annual California Next Gen Film Festival a Big Success

The future of cinematic arts in Sacramento is bright

Sacramento, CA— The California Next Gen Film Festival could only be described as a big success, with a nearly sold out opening night and over 600 walking down the red carpet the following three days. The 1^st annual Sacramento festival kicked off this past Labor Day weekend at Memorial Auditorium and hosted several Hollywood insiders who were on hand to join in the festival’s mission: to showcase the “next gen” crop of filmmakers using the latest HD technology to advance the art and process of film.

Jaime Gonzalez, NGFF founder and president, couldn’t be more thrilled with the outcome of the festival. “Sacramento needed a platform on which independent filmmakers could display their work. I feel our festival accomplished that goal and laid the foundation for future Next Gen festivals.”

The highlight of the opening night ceremonies proved to be the Innovative Artists Panel. The panel was moderated by academy-award winning cinematographer Don McAlpine and included Hollywood producer/director Demian Lichtenstein, photojournalist Lauren Greenfield, and fast-rising film stars Rudy Youngblood and Adam Del Rio. 

McAlpine, whose many big-budget film credits include Moulin Rouge and Romeo + Juliet, flew in from Australia to be a part of this groundbreaking festival and was actively involved in discussion panels throughout the entire 4-day event, including serving on one panel alongside television show “On The Lot” winner Will Bigham. Other festival guests included California Film Commissioner Stan Brooks, Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo, and mayoral candidate Kevin Johnson.

The event was also able to bring business to the neighboring midtown establishments including, The Dream Lounge, Badlands Nightclub, Momo Lounge, and the Park Ultra Lounge. Midtown restaurants, hotels, and boutiques also reaped the benefits from the out of town festival-goers.

Of course the real stars of NGFF were the films and filmmakers themselves. The films spanned many formats including narrative, documentary, and digital animation shorts. Many filmmakers even participated in Q&A sessions after their films were screened.

The Audience Award winning films, Sebastians Voodoo, Burning Man: Voyage in Utopia, Ancestor Eyes, and Aquarium will all be on COMCAST ON-DEMAND later this month along with many of the red carpet interviews.

Sponsors of the film festival included: Christie Digital, VMI, Comcast, Advantage Presentations, The Men’s Wearhouse, JG and Associates, AEGIS Medical Systems, Silverado, The Howard Agency, AVID, Current TV, Production Hub, Metro Hub Network, Core Care Macintosh Support Specialties.

Visit our website to view a full schedule of our event www.nextgenfilmfest.org.

(The NGFF is a non-profit organization)

Contact:

Natalie Minas

Festival Public Relations

(916) 802-3456

nminasnextgenfilm@gmail.com