Method Fest to boost city revenue

By Michael Picarella pic@theacorn.com

A record 578 films were submitted to the seventh annual Method Fest Film Festival, which will take place in Calabasas this April for the first time.

Method Fest could potentially bring much revenue into the city, according to city and festival representatives at a community kickoff party last Thursday night at the Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center in Calabasas.

As a way to introduce Method Fest to many Calabasas Chamber of Commerce business members, Method Fest executive director Don Franken screened one submission called "Wear Something Nice." The film’s actress Jacquie Barnbrook answered questions afterward.

Calabasas City Councilmember Dennis Washburn has high hopes for Method Fest, saying it could be the next Sundance Film Festival. There’s more Hollywood in Calabasas than most people think, he said.

Method Fest is set for April 1 through 8 at Edwards Grand Palace Stadium 6 Cinemas at The Commons shopping center in Calabasas and at the Louis B. Mayer Theatre on Motion Picture and Television Fund campus in Woodland Hills.

Festival coordinators continue to seek business support. For details, call Franken at (310) 535-9230.

Films submitted to Method Fest this year came from 26 American states, and from Austria, Australia, Canada, China, England, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, New Zealand and Sweden.

Many films came from the surrounding areas, including Calabasas and Agoura Hills.

Method Fest’s programming committee will select about 25 feature films and about 50 short films to play in the festival. The list of accepted films will be announced on Fri., March 4 at Pierce College’s Performing Art’s Center.

For details, go to the festival’s website at www.methodfest.com.