Sixth Annual Pasadena International Film Festival Set for March

– Courtesy photo / Facebook, @PasadenaInternationalFilmFestival

The sixth edition of the Pasadena International Film Festival (PIFF) returns to the Playhouse District March 13-21, 2019, presenting more than 130 films from 15 countries during its nine-day run at Pasadena’s Laemmle Playhouse 7 theater. Q&As, panels, a Filmmakers Lounge, and a Great Gatsby-themed closing night award ceremony are also planned.

Expected guests include actors Melora Hardin to receive the “Career Inspiration Award”, Bruce McGill, Prime-time Emmy Award winning Cinematographer Frank Prinzi, James Marsters, and Clare Kramer.

Festival entries include features, shorts, documentaries, animation, music videos and web series. They are presented in 24 programming blocks with categories such as “Apocalypse Later”, “A View to a Thrill,” “The Best Medicine” and “Sci-Fi High,” among others. Every block features a moderated Q&A with filmmakers after the screening(s).

PIFF’s opening night films are presented in the block, “The City of Roses and the American Dream” featuring the short films, “The Running Man of Pasadena”, “Out of the Shadows”, and the feature-length documentary “Band Geeks” highlighting the trials and tribulations of a high school marching band as it prepares for the world-famous Rose Parade.

On Saturday, March 16, the feature length thriller “Cruel Hearts” starring Melora Hardin screens, as well as the feature length documentary “Extraordinary: The Seeding” which explores real life interviews of those who claim to have been abducted by extraterrestrials. Interviewees are flying in to attend the screening and ensuing live Q&A.

On Saturday, Vroman’s Bookstore will present the panel “Breaking into Screenwriting,” hosted by the Scriptwriters Network.

The final evening, the festival’s Great Gatsby Gala and Award Ceremony takes place at The Speakeasy, a hip, and 1920s-vibed cocktail lounge.

PIFF wishes to thank its gold sponsors, without whom none of this is possible: Pasadena Playhouse District Association, Boston Court Performing Arts Center, Sasaki Innovessence Skincare, Old Pasadena Management District, Pasadena Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Pasadena Film Office and TravelStore.

For a complete film festival schedule, visit pasadenafilmfestival.org