This year, the 4-day festival introduces an ambitious slate of feature length film screenings, special live and interactive events – many of which will take place in an oversized screening tent – in Topanga’s town center, Pine Tree Circle.

Screenings at Pine Tree Circle will generally run from 11AM into the late evening except for Friday, August 20, where screenings will begin at 2PM to accommodate the Topanga Farmer’s Market. Unless otherwise specified, events will be held at the screening tent.

Highlighted events include:

Thursday, August 19, 2010:

• 12-1:30PM Haiti's Ciné Institute student short film showcase with remote introduction from Jacmel via Skype or iPhone. A silent auction will be conducted for the duration of the film festival of Tao Ruspoli’s photography with proceeds to benefit Artists For Peace and Justice, and their relief efforts in Haiti. Topangan Benar Geer reports on his own project in Haiti.

• 2-3:30PM Kelly Carlin to host; sharing commentary by her late father, George Carlin and present Oliver Stone’s South of the Border. Oliver Stone sets out on a road trip across five countries to explore the social and political movements as well as the mainstream media’s misperception of South America while interviewing seven of its elected presidents.

• 6-7:30PM Topanga director Jim Chressanthis will introduce his award-winning documentary, No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos, with confirmed guests Vilmos Zsigmond, Laszlo Kovacs' widow, Audrey Kovacs, likely Karen Black and Peter Fonda as well as other fans of both the legendary cinematographers and Dennis Hopper. The documentary traces Vilmos Zsigmond's journey with Laszlo Kovacs, their widescreen images of American landscapes in Easy Rider, Paper Moon and Scarecrow inspired by their early years when they were adrift in a beautiful but forbidding new land. Easy Rider is credited as Kovacs' breakthrough film.

• 8:30-10PM Lost Angels is a warm, humanistic portrait of Los Angeles Skid Row, and much like the marginalized people it documents, it manages to walk an incredibly precarious line — celebrating the strong-willed characters who are allowed to thrive there without soft-pedaling the injustices that leave them with no other place to go. Expertly made and shot through with an undercurrent of righteous anger, director Thomas Napper's documentary is ultimately a tribute to the spirit of an area most would consider a simple urban blight. Produced by Topangan Agi Orsi, directed by Thomas Napper, narrated by Catherine Keener.

• 8:30-11PM Topanga Film Festival Opening Ceremony and Tribute to Dennis Hopper | Easy Rider will screen at Abuelita’s Restaurant in conjunction with 6th Annual Topanga Film Festival opening ceremony. The No Subtitles Necessary team will also attend the creek side, open-air screening of this roadshow classic in honor of Dennis Hopper. Venue is Abuelita’s Mexican Restaurant.

Friday, August 20, 2010. Friday is environmental day at the screening tent:

• 2PM Save the Farm | A short film by Michael Kuehnert is the story of a 14-acre organic farm in South Central Los Angeles. Over 14 years 350 families build an oasis that feeds the community with local, organic food. However, the city of LA sells the land back to a developer in a back room deal. Activists and celebrities stage an 11th hour tree sit to try to save the farm. Latino families, city politicians, a wealthy developer, environmental activists and celebrities collide in a milieu of ideologies, hidden agendas and issues of health and survival, all in a setting that could hold the key to the future of our planet.

• 2:30PM DIRT! The Movie | Feature Documentary directed by Bill Benenson, Gene Rosow and narrated by Jamie Lee Curtis changes our notion of what dirt is. The movie propagates that the only remedy for disconnecting people from the natural world is connecting them to it again” and promotes the premise that “what we've destroyed, we can heal.”
 

• 7:30-9:30PM Budrus | A Feature Documentary film by Julia Bacha (Control Room) follows a Palestinian activist, Ayed Morrar, who tries to save his village from Israel’s Separation Barrier. In response to Israeli security forces’ decision to extend the security wall through Budrus’ ancient olive groves and cemetery, Morrar unites an unlikely group consisting of Hamas and Fatah members as well as Israeli supporters.

• 3PM-11PM International Day at the Mountain Mermaid This day-long event co-hosted by the Topanga Film Institute and Swiss based Dreamago will include two panels, Bettering the World with your Story (panelists include  Joan Scheckel, Kyle Ruddick, a Chumash storyteller) followed by The Big Picture (panelists include Fausto Callegarini, Paul Sparks, Eleonora Granata, Steve Reiss). The event will also highlight Direct Connect, a poolside speed networking event that will avail attendees to panelists, high-level new and traditional creative, production, distribution and financing experts. The evening program will include a special selection of short films.

•  7:15PM David Lynch will be honored with an award for innovation in filmmaking followed by screening of his short film, Lady Blue Shanghai, starring Marion Cotillard.  Photographs of Haiti recovery efforts by Tao Ruspoli will be on display at the Mountain Mermaid that will be available through silent auction throughout this event and the duration of the festival, with proceeds to benefit Artists for Peace and Justice.

•  7:45PM Being in the World A Documentary Feature by Tao Ruspoli. Being in the World is a celebration of human beings and our ability, through the mastery of physical, intellectual and creative skills, to find meaning in the world around us. Some of our most renowned philosophers, from Harvard to Berkeley, take us on a gripping journey to meet modern day masters—people who not only have learned to respond in a sensitive way to the requirements of their craft, but have also gathered their communities in ways that our technological age threatens to make obsolete. Tao Ruspoli will introduce his film and will participate in a question and answer session following the film.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

• 6PM Gate, 8:30PM Screening | International Short Film Competition at Trust Ranch on the Mesa | This year’s selection explores the possibilities of storytelling at all levels – ranging from documentaries, animation, drama, comedy to experimental shorts. Special guest Nic Harcourt will host the pre-screening party

• 11:30AM Collection of Dance For Camera | Shorts selected by Cari Ann Shim Sham will feature narrative and abstract story telling through dance, movement and stunning imagery. Special Guest Speakers will attend and tell their story about the making of Sublevados.

• 3:30PM Tengri: Blue Skies  A feature film by Marie Jaoul de Poncheville | According to Daily Variety, is “. . . is arthouse exotica of the most accessible sort. Lightweight tale, set in the Kyrgyzstan mountains, has a married jailoo (village) woman in the angering her neglectful spouse and community by carrying on with a smitten prodigal son. Their subsequent flight yields a back-countrytravelogue and mildly perilous adventure.”

• 7PM May I Be Frank A film About Sex, Drugs and Transformation | This feature documentary chronicles the transformation of Frank Ferrante’s life. Frank is 54 years old, obese, depressed and addicted. He stumbles into a local raw, organic and vegan restaurant in San Francisco, Café Gratitude. When Ryland, a server at Café Gratitude asks Frank “What is one thing you want to do before you die?” Frank replies, “I want to fall in love one more time, but no one will love me looking the way I do.”

Sunday, August 22, 2010

• 10AM Soul Train: The Hippest Trip | Directed by J. Kevin Swain, narrated by Terrence Howard brings back the dancing, clothes and music. This VH1 documentary relives one of the most successful music shows in the history and tracks artists ranging from Aretha Franklin to Snoop Dogg.

• 12-2PM Youth Salon two groups of budding filmmakers share their work, the under 12 group showcase is as 12 Noon followed by teen short films at 1PM

• 2:45PM Rabbit Fever A feature documentary by Amy Do | This endearingly amusing feature-length debut follows the annual competition at the National American Rabbit Convention, where more than 20,000 rabbits and their adorably quirky breeders gather to celebrate their common passion.

• 6:30PM Topanga Film Festival Awards Ceremony at Froggy’s Fish Market | The $60,000 Panavision Grand Prize camera rental package will be presented along with awards for Suitable for All Screens an line film competition (Jury Award), Best Actor, Diamond in the Rough.

• 7:30PM Best of Topanga short film screenings will continue at Froggy’s Fish Market after the Awards Ceremony, hosted by Topanga filmmaker Anastasia Fite.

Tickets for all events are available a itsmyseat.com or through the Topanga Film Festival website .  Individual tickets are available as are all access passes for the duration of the festival. Due to minimal corporate sponsorship, screenings are presented on a fee basis, however, most children’s events, closing night and selected screenings are free of charge.

The festival’s quick rise from a small town affair to an internationally recognized event is the result of it being an authentic celebration of film held in a beautiful setting that is home to many world famous writers, actors, filmmakers, musicians and artists. Almost immediately the Festival earned the admiration of a sophisticated audience of renowned artists and entertainment industry veterans. And, the fact that well know actors and movie makers could easily be recruited as jurors, because Topanga was already their home, instantly brought credibility to the event.

The 2010 jurors will be announced in mid-August.

The Topanga Film Festival is now a project of the International Humanities Center, a 501[c]3 non-profit organization.

Shades of Ron Jeremy, this prominent Topanga actor is currently starring in a comedy depicting fictitious local contractors, where he plays a building inspector.

The first person to identify him wins a cup of coffee.

Long-time Topanga Film Festival supporter/programmer, filmmaker Anastasia Fite is up in arms about Hollywood coming to Topanga with an eye to create a sexploitative reality series.  Anastasia's stance is that if something walks, talks and quacks like a duck, it is likely a duck.  Such is her take on a producer David Basinski, who started his career with Mating and Dating in the 1980s, followed with other television fare including the Scream Awards and most recently, American Gladiators.

The following Letter to the Editor first published in the Topanga Messenger is reprinted here with Anastasia's permission:

Dear Topanga,

I am NOT in support of the proposed Reality Series on Topanga Canyon…

As you may know, a man named Dave Basinski is trying to pitch a Reality Series on Topanga Canyon to Network executives. This man, and potentially several networks and agencies are trying to “brand” Topanga for commercial purposes.

Dave has ties to the producers of Survivor via Russ Landau and has been tactlessly filming all over the Canyon, at private parties, events, and businesses often without asking for people’s permission, signing waivers, or telling them the whole truth about his intention to use the footage to pitch a Reality Series on Topanga Canyon.

I have met with Dave in order to gather a greater understanding of what his focus is for this program, prior to our meeting I had not formed any particular opinion as to what he was doing, giving him the opportunity to propose something that may indeed benefit the community. However I was greatly dismayed at his answers to several of my questions and his focus (or apparent lack thereof) for the program.

When I asked him why Topangans would want to participate and how it could be of benefit to the community, his response was: It would put Topanga on the map & it would increase commerce. When I asked him if any money made from the show would be directly infused into the canyon to benefit he community, his response was: We would pay a location fee. When I asked him what his angle for the series was, he replied: Hippie, Sexy. It has to be sexy.When I asked him if it would be an honest portrait of our community, his response was: The network executives will do what is necessary to get ratings and make it a financial success. They would find drama and encourage story lines, promoting answers to the questions that fit their script. Topanga is a beautiful unique place whose magic touches everyone that spends time here. Clearly, in the short 4 months that he has been a resident, Dave has been touched by this magic and wants somehow to capture it. I understand that, I myself am a documentarian who was born and raised in the Canyon, and have for 3 years been making a feature film on the characters and sub-communities of Topanga.

However, from his responses to my questions I am confident that this proposed series will NEVER be an honest portrait of people as they are. With network money as the driving force and the bottom line to answer to, his intentions can only be capturing, packaging, branding and commercializing whichever version of the story gets ratings and makes money. If it starts with the dollar it ends with the dollar, and in those hands, all our personal stories will likely be twisted to represent only what he needs them to be to increase his personal wealth and success. I understand the desire to tell one’s story, but this is a great responsibility.

To show people as they are, for better and for worse, without an agenda or leading an audience towards judgment, is a very precarious and delicate line to walk. If money above all else, and a desire for fame and success is the guide, I can be sure that this is not the person with whom to share my trust, experiences, and open up my home or business to, nor can I be surprised when I feel betrayed that the result does not accurately represent me or my community. We Topangans have a long history of fighting against developments and chains that do not represent our values.

Having seen 30 years of Topangans fight against misrepresentation and mis-appropriation of our community: When our most personal lives, families, experiences and community is at stake, can we really allow this exploitation?

We all have a choice to make. In the face of being offered an Executive Producer credit, stardom for myself and my small local business, and a bid to purchase my footage, I have made my choice: I WILL NOT EXPLOIT MY COMMUNITY FOR PERSONAL GAIN. Because even if I have all the money in the world, if I cannot stand proudly in front of my family, friends, and community with honesty and integrity, then I have NOTHING.

Thank you, Topanga.

Love,

Anastasia Fite

Nurturing creativity in youth has always been a strong motivator in Sara Baur’s life, a common denominator with Family Magazine Group publisher, Mary Potter.

As co-founder of the Topanga Film Festival, the mother of three children and an artist herself, Sara proudly announced that she expects “even a larger participation than in past years” of Sunday’s Youth Salon program, dedicated to youthful filmmakers in two categories – those aged 5 through 12 and 13 through 18.

Joining the 6th Annual Topanga Film Festival Youth Salon as the exclusive sponsor of the event is the Family Magazine Group that publishes Los Angeles Family, Santa Clarita Valley Family, Las Vegas Family, South Bay Family, San Gabriel Valley Family and Ventura Family monthly magazines as well as websites for each publication for an aggregate readership of 350,000.

Publisher Mary Potter said her publications are excited to be part of a local cultural staple that includes children and youth.

As part of their sponsorship, the Family Magazine Group will provide media sponsorship, healthy protein bars and gifts for participating Youth Salon filmmaker —  including tickets to sporting and other local entertainment events and a Certificate of Achievement.

The history of Youth Salon is integral to the festival itself and owes its origin to a concept by Sara and long-time festival supporter, Karen Cooke, who heads up Topanga Canyon Youth Services.

Together, the women created an inaugural workshop that tasked the youthful film enthusiasts with the assignement of deconstructing Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho.” In looking at the concept suspense, children were empowered to ponder their own feelings of fear and demystify it. Youthful filmmakers broke off into groups of teams where then wrote and directed a film in one day although some aspects of post-production was completed after the fact.

The event, which is filled to capacity every year “draws every possible kind of entry,” Sara said, adding that many participants come from Susan Clark’s Coyote Club, an educational program for very young children.

“The Topanga kids know about it from other children in the community who have participated in the past. Word gets out pretty quickly, however, we have had participants from all over who hear about the event from friends or read about it in the paper. In the past we tried to show every film that is submitted, if it is under five minutes,” Sara said. She said that showing all films this year may be challenging, however, Sara said that all films that are one minute or less in length will be shown.

Tess, who has participated in Youth Salon since the age of 9, said her most prominent memory of the event was “to see the expressions on the faces of my peers immediately after my film played.”

Recalling a previous Youth Salon, Tess said, “My best friend Kansas and I produced a film, a Ghengis Khan Mongol economic rap – basically, it was an class assignment for my 7th grade final history class – which basically explained the functioning of the economic system in that particular historical period. In a previous year, we submitted a juvenile attempt of a horror short, and came to realize that even though it wasn’t an Oscar winner, it still thrilled us to share our last minute production.”

Sara said Youth Salon Sunday is always a celebratory event. Families usually participate together with a lot of brouhaha with the younger children and a lot of discussion with the older kids. Parent and child collaborations are welcome, however, the bulk of Youth Salon films are kid made.

“We do it to foster and inspire future filmmakers. There are a lot of young filmmakers in Topanga. One such filmmaker, Jessie Johnson, was not only the talk of Froggy’s among the youth, but won the Best of Topanga Award where she competed against well-qualified adults. She won hands down with her picture, "Drummer," when she was only 19-years old,” Sara said.

The festival urges budding filmmakers under the age of 17 to show up at the day of the event and bring their films on a DVD. Even the event itself is youth-produced and organized with some adult supervision.

Dear Diary,

It is Saturday. Les jeux sont faits.

Last night we worked into the wee hours sorting through the final submissions to the festival as Friday, July 16, 2010 marked the close of entries to the 2010 Topanga Film Festival, with the knowledge that two stragglers were given a 12-hours reprieve to bring their shorts.

We got a call from a woman last night who was ready to drive in from the Hollywood Hills, but the evening was growing late and jazz had already started downstairs at The Bistro and after 12 hours spent within the same four walls, it was time for a break.

One woman, Heaven, a friend of producer Benar Geer — one of the 3 Amigos screening tent producing team — delivered on her promise to bring two films. She seemed particularly enthused about a feature doc telling the story of a man, barely into his 50s decides he is going to turn his life around and hold out for the thing he desires most: love.

A message from Heaven.

Our new friend, Heaven, a dancer who ives between Hawaii and California, informed us that today and tomorrow mark the Conscious Convergence, a fact later confirmed by Earth Times, that further explained that today and tomorrow mark a portal into unity consciousness that makes the final transition in March 2011. An excerpt from the article reads, “. . . It is time to wake up to the realization that something outside of ourselves is not going to take care of or make something happen. We are the ones. We are the divine vibrating on the lower frequency of the physical plane. Spirit vibrates at a higher vibrational frequency. The core of our soul does not evolve it already is that union with Source . . .this is a time for us to collectively gather around our planet.”

North Carolina-based philanthropic connector Dena Patrick — who operates three parallel non-profit organizations dedicated to the arts and creative empowerment of artists, artisans, writers, musicians, filmmakers, digital artists and others — came on board as a sponsor of the 2010 Topanga Film Festival.

Although Dena also operates One Voice Rising and Wishadoo, the official festival sponsor is The Piece Process, an incubator and launch pad for community-based philanthropy initiatives that unites entrepreneurs, businesses, schools and organizations to work together for common good.

Dena breaks down how she came up with the name and mission statement of her organization.

In essence, The Piece Process symbolizes dedication to:

• Partnering with others in their community

• Implementing principles of Integrity, Honesty and Accountability

• Embracing every person’s worth

• Creating Compassionate Communities

• Encouraging environments of respect

The Piece Process connects offers ways for the average person, through their basic daily activities, to be empowered; a way to contribute to something larger than themselves; another way to be a vital piece of their community and also provides opportunities for businesses, schools and organizations to work together and with individuals to create more whole, integrated, supportive communities.

Two other sponsors came to the Topanga Film Festival through The Piece Process, namely, authors Sandra Carrington and Elaine Klonicki.

Topanga Film Festival urges you to support TONIGHT'S event at the Theatricum Botanicum:

A BENEFIT FOR KPFK RADIO AND THEATRICUM BOTANICUM! TICKETS ARE $25 AND $30. KIDS ARE FREE (18 AND UNDER). BRING YOUR FAMILY TO THE CANYON FOR THIS EDUCATIONAL AND INSPIRING PERFORMANCE! Upper Tier are CARRY IT ON!

A Celebration in Word and Song of Mother Jones, Mark Twain, MLK Jr…, Rosa Parks, Walt Whitman, Abraham Lincoln. A benefit for KPFK Radio and the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum. Starring James Cromwell, Amy Madigan, and Christina Pickles.

Sinisa Balandzic once said that the older you get the shorter days get.  Nothing seems more true as August 19th draws near.

His explanation in a very Slavic, factual, authoritative, mathematical manner went something like this (read with implied heavy accent): "When you are five, one day represents 1/365 of five years, or, 1/1825 of your life. At 40, one day is 1/365 of 40 years, or 1/14,600 of your life theretofore so the older you get, the faster time passes because each day is an increasingly smaller increment of the life you have already lived."

Similarly, as we now enter the red alert zone of five weeks and counting, some great things are happening in preparation for the 2010 Topanga Film Festival.

Today, Topanga artist and educator, Rebecca Catterall dedicated her creative muse to the creation of this year's Coveted Coyote Award.  Traditionally, festival co-founders Sara and Urs Baur seek out local artists to craete a one-of-a-kind honor for the festival's main award.  Rebecca was armed with creative thought sufficient to stock the next five years with unique artistic honors, but, one design was agreed upon.  In addition, Rebecca will fire a limited edition of ceramic coffee cups in commemoration of the 6th Annual Topanga Film Festival.  For a partial list of Rebacca's exhibits, please click here.

Rebecca said that in the creation of her art, she is interested in "discipline I hold back and reduce to explore different kinds of containment: restraint, saturation and captivation, the deceptively quiet outward appearances."

Thank you, Rebecca for the amazing sculpture-in-formation and Sinisa, for the unique insight into the meaning of time.

There is progressively less and less space in the office as submissions to the 6th Annual Topanga Film Festival converge from everywhere. Yesterday's offerings came from New Mexico, Sao Paolo, Brazil and Madrid. No doubt, this year's selection will have more of an international flair but now that we've got the films . . . where to show them. Somewhere along the road, festival co-founders Sara and Urs Baur decided that it was time to bring the festival to Topanga's main Piazza — Pine Tree Circle.

Simple. Throw up a tent in the middle of town. Circuses do it. Traveling medicine shows did it in bygone days. Entire gypsy colonies use them for communal living rooms, so why not us?

But wait, first one must get a lay of the land and in our case, a survey of the parking lot, confirmation from our tent vendor that an uneven surface notwithstanding, that the tent will not only be sturdy, but look good, meet the approval of the Los Angeles County Department of Building and Safety, the Fire Marshall and festival-goers.

There's more and now comes the tricky part: How do we get 12 solar panels (sufficient to run a projector, speakers and an airconditioning unit) nonchalantly positioned in an unobtrusive — or better yet — in an esthetically pleasing arrangement to fit within the sleek European design of a huge pink tent and make it look pretty from all four sides?

This is the part where we call in the big guns.  First, our sponsor/vendor Les Sumpter of Canoga Park-based A Rental Connection spent a good part of Bastille Day afternoon with festival co-founder Urs Baur walking through layout and logistics on the first day of the first heatwave of the summer.  Les celebrated 25-years in business last year.

In keeping with the festival's philosophy of digging deep into the community to not only make the festival better, fellow-Topangan Bernt Capra,  fresh from a 2-hour surf, was enlisted to design and decorate this year's festival home — the tent. Bernt is an award-winning Production Designer in film and television.

With six weeks remaining until the 6th Annual Topanga Film Festival, the Topanga Chamber of Commerce has given its vote of confidence to the 2010 event by coming on board as an official sponsor of the festival. In addition, the Chamber reached out yesterday to its general membership encouraging local businesses to support the film festival.

"We recognize the contribution that such an important event brings our community and value the benefits to our local business," said Bruce Royer, Topanga Chamber of Commerce president.

In an effort to bridge a deficit between the cost of the festival and recession-impacted sponsorship funding, the Topanga Film Festival is redoubling its focus on advertising sales in the festival's program and on its web site so that it can continue to ensure low cost — and in some instances no cost — entry to the many events that comprise the annual festival. 

Ad rates range from $100 for a listing to $1,000 for a full page with the back cover still available for $1,500 — with many local companies opting for quarter-page ads at $250 and half-page ads at $500. 

The festival, that started in the back yard of co-founders Sara and Urs Baur’s home, has grown into a festival that now spans four days of screenings and several special events. In an effort to make the film festival more readily accessible to the local community, organizers are staging the bulk of this year’s screenings in an oversized screening tent in the middle of town at Pine Tree Circle. Panel discussions, question and answer sessions — including international participation via Skype – will be offered as part of the screening program.

The Topanga Film Festival will honor both Dennis Hopper and David Lynch at this year’s festival. In honor of Hopper, the festival will screen 1969 classic “Easy Rider,” the grandfather of independent films, at Abuelita’s Mexican Restaurant on Thursday, August 19.

David Lynch will be honored for innovation in filmmaking on Friday, August 20 at The Mountain Mermaid where his short film, “Lady Blue Shanghai” will screen. Prior to the festival kick-off party at Abuelita’s, Topanga resident Jim Chressanthis’ award-winning documentary, “No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos,” will screen at the tent before taking the party across the street.

This year’s selection will focus on shorts and features dedicated to addressing issues related to the environment, socio-political/humanitarian matters, creative/narrative/perspective and family.

Screenings are scheduled daily starting 12 Noon on Thursday, 2PM on Friday following the farmers’ market, 11AM on Saturday and Sunday. Children under 12 will be admitted free of charge at all screenings. Tickets range from $10 – 15 per admission, or $100 for an all-tent, all-access pass for the duration of the festival. A new addition to the festival, International Networking Day, set for Friday, August 20, to be held at the Mountain Mermaid that will run parallel to the screenings at Pine Tree Circle.

Slated for the event is a speed networking facility where content creators can pitch their project to mainstream and new media decision-makers as well as four panels (included in the price of entry), a separate slate of international curated short films. A special screening is the evening’s finale. Food and beverages will be available throughout the day. Saturday, August 21 is the International Short Film Competition at Trust Ranch.

Pre-screening festivities begin at 6PM and screenings to commence at 8PM. Food and beverages will be available at the event although attendees may elect to bring their own picnic as in previous years.

Events on Sunday, August 22, include Youth Salon that starts at 11AM and may run between one and two hours depending on the number of entries and the Award Ceremony at Froggy’s where multiple awards will be presented including the Coveted Coyote Award, the $60,000 Panavision Young Filmmaker Award, the EVS Suitable for All Screens awards, Best Actor and Diamond in the Rough. At present, tickets may be reserved by email to tickets@topangafilmfestival.com although they will be available for on-line purchase shortly. Pricing: All Access Pass $150 (this allows access to all events, including the Mountain Mermaid), $100 for Tent All Access and $50 Mountain Mermaid All Access. Individual events are $10 per screening (children under 12 free), $40 Mountain Mermaid panels and networking event, $20 Mountain Mermaid gala and $20 for the Trust Ranch Big Night.

At a glance:

Thursday, August 19, 2010 | Screening tent (all day starting at 12 Noon) + pre-opening night screening of No Subtitles Necessary: Lazlo & Vilmos + Opening Night honoring Dennis Hopper with a screening of Easy Rider at Abuelita's

Friday, August 20, 2010 | Screening tent (all day starting at 2PM after farmers' market) + International Networking Day at the Mountain Mermaid

Saturday, August 21, 2010 | Screening tent (all day starting at 11AM) + The International Short Film Competition at Trust Ranch with door at 6PM and screening 8:30PM

Sunday, August 22, 2010 | Screening tent (all day starting at 11AM) with Youth Salon to start at 11AM for up to a two hour slot, followed by other screenings. The Awards Ceremony will be held at Froggy's from 6 to 7PM followed Topanga’s Best of Fest until 10PM