Travel and Adventure by Various Travel Authors

By Marilyn Zeitlin

Want to see the latest and best films from Hollywood and around the world? Does the idea of seeing film stars up-close — even sitting next to them in restaurants — seem exciting? Would you like to participate in a question-and-answer session with some of filmdom's leading directors? Does the idea of seeing films from morning to evening with breaks in between for eating at good restaurants, taking in winter sports or sun-bathing in the middle of winter seem appealing? Film festivals aren't just for people in the industry. Not so. They're for anyone who loves going to the movies.

The famous film festivals in Cannes, Berlin and Venice are often referred to by insiders as "The Three Sisters." The Venice film festival began in 1932, presumably to prolong the tourist season. But that was also the time of Mussolini's fascist political propaganda. In 1938, Leni Riefenstahl's ode to Hitler's leadership, "Olympiad," shared the festival's top prize.

Telluride, Sundance, New York and San Francisco host some of the most high-profile events, but film festivals are popping up in many states and countries with films for, by and about every segment of the population. There are festivals for shorts, by independent filmmakers and by students in film schools. Festival films tend to be "more artistic, less commercial," actor Peter Coyote once told me. A hotel limo driver in Toronto said he waited on line for hours to buy tickets "because I don't know if I'll get the chance to see those films again." Film festivals generally last three days to two week.

Google "film festivals," and you'll find a variety of possibilities. Of course, some are close to Hollywood, such as the Palm Springs Festival, the Los Angeles Film Festival and the Ojai-Ventura International Film Festival.

Palm Springs is a natural for a film festival with streets named Bob Hope Drive, Dinah Shore Drive and Ginger Rogers Drive. This desert town's festival has grown more successful each year, with most of the audience coming from out of town. Held each year in January, the 2009 festival looked like the Oscars ceremony in Hollywood. A huge crowd stood behind ropes near the red carpet where celebrities walked and stopped for photographers. Among them were Dustin Hoffman and Frieda Pinto, star of "Slumdog Millionaire." Sean Penn also slipped into the festivities. Dakota Fanning spoke with children her age and signed autographs, then crossed the street and smiled for photographers. Galas for the filmmakers were open to anyone who could afford the tickets.

The 2010 festival will feature the Palm Springs Follies, a show that features songs, dances and costumes with actors in their 60s and 70s. It is a truly unique show, especially enjoyable for those who remember the music of the '50s and '60s.

Los Angeles, home of Hollywood, has a number of film festivals around the year.

The major LA Film Festival happens during the summer. The 2009 festival was spread around Westwood Village, close to the University of California Los Angeles campus. Featured films had various themes. My favorite, and a film that later became a family favorite, was "Ponyo," a fable film by award-winning animated filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki.

Rebecca Yeldham, Director of the festival, said that the LAFF "embraces films of all scales, whatever we believe to be quality films." The local moviegoing public is, in Yeldham's words, "extremely enthusiastic because we live in a city filled with filmmakers." She hopes that those who see films before they are released will recommend them to a friend, and she intends to expand the "give-and-take" sessions between the filmmakers and the public in festivals to come.

Ojai is a mountain town one and a half hours from Los Angeles, an artists' retreat with an emphasis on health — food, spas and outdoor recreation — inside a beautiful green environment. It's an unhurried town where one can breathe in clean mountain air, and the Pacific Ocean is just down the hill. This festival is held in November.

Book several months in advance, but here's a final tip: If you're told that the film is sold out, you can often get into screenings by coming early or taking the seats of ticket-holders who don't show up.

IF YOU GO

Palm Springs:

A good place for dinner is the Kaiser Grille, 205 S. Palm Canyon Drive. Ruby's Diner is a fun '50s diner with great burgers at 155 S. Palm Canyon Drive. Another possibility is Pinocchio, for breakfast and lunch at 134 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way. The Hyatt Regency Suites is close to everything, comfortable and affordable: 285 N. Palm Canyon Drive.

Los Angeles:

Between films, try Blvd. 16, 10740 Wilshire Blvd., for their tasty "rush hour" appetizers that can make a meal. The restaurant is friendly and comfortable, and the setup encourages conversation with whoever is nearby. A bit pricey but serving excellent gourmet food is Nine-Thirty at the W Hotel in the heart of Westwood. This is a great place for dining leisurely and comfortably, with a creative young female chef. If you prefer Asian food, try Tengu, at 10853 Lindbrook Drive.

Ojai:

The Ojai Valley Inn and Spa is a hotel-resort that supports the festival events and is a great place to stay, www.ojairesort.com.

Marilyn Zeitlin is a freelance travel writer. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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