By Valerie Milano
The Universe Multicultural Film Festival (UMFF) will be held this Friday April 6th to Sunday April 8th. A number of events will happen in 4 venues in Palos Verdes Peninsula cities. Hundreds of filmmakers from Hollywood and aboard will meet in the beautiful peninsula for a full 3 days of film, fashion, finance, and multicultural harmony.
All events are open to the public by purchasing admission tickets online. The honorees of UMFF are nominated by audience worldwide.
The opening gala will be hosted this Friday, April 6th. The Masters of Ceremony will be from Hollywood, actor Prince Jordan Tyson and super model Anna Vallefuoco.
South bay two local artists will perform in the opening gala: Jayme Claire will sing the National Anthem to open the ceremony, Dan McNay will sing songs to welcome film maker from worldwide.
Young dancer Cady Mariano from San Diego will perform her fantastic solo dance.
A number of industries panel discussions will be held in UMFF, which are in the area of screenwriting; production; pitching-and-catching and distribution, plus a working with China panel discussion. A number of well-know Hollywood film personalities will share their experiences with the audiences. James Cullen Bressack, Jacob N. Stuart, Carolina de Athey, Zack Van Eyck, Marilyn Anderson will have open discussions with screenwriters. Alisa Reyes, Michael Baumgarten, Michael Matteo Rossi, Elisabeth White will address the film produce tips with producers. John Rodsett, Rick Rieger, Bill H McKinney, Mark Sonoda, Lynn Tang and Rosario Elenawill share their knowledge in distribution the films to worldwide market. A Chinese delegation of 20 filmmakers will tell their stories and share their insider view of how to make films in China. Check the UMFF schedule for the time of the individual panel discussions. http://umfilms.org/Event.html
Two live shows, the Maeya Culture Ambassador Contests and the screenplay showcases, will happen at the reception gala at Saturday night April 7th. This gala hosts will be Carolina de Athey, Linda Wong and young Hollywood star Kayley Stallings. The festival juries will share their judgment points and views. UMFF art juries committee members will decide the title winners. The jury’s members include international beauty title winners, models, actress, producers and directors.
The film Market session will be held in Sunday afternoon April 8th. Multiple film projects will do casting, interviews for directors, DP, screenwriters, composers, etc.
The famous rainbow red carpet and award ceremony will be hosted at the RHCC Community center in Rolling Hills Estates. The Host team will be Mark Justice, Sonya Kreizman, Magi Avila. The award presenters will be Vanessa Branch (Hollywood), Danny Pardo (Argentina), Sarina (Mongolia), Aki Aleong (Hollywood), festival jury members Eric Brodeur; Dallas King; Ian Fischer; Wei Zheng (China). The ceremony performers are Nityashetra Dance School (Disseminating classical Indian heritage), Wayne Collins and his band (Hollywood); Xi Opera (China); and Mongolian folk songs. Actress Vida Ghaffari (Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Mindy Project) will be bestowed with an award.
Every year, first weekend of April, the UMFF brings worldwide movie stars and cultures shining at the peninsula. Please join in. More info at http://www.umfilms.org
Film screening venues:
Peninsula Center Library (701 Silver Spur Rd; Rolling Hills Estates; CA 90274)
Fred Hesse Community Park, McTaggart Hall (29301 Hawthorne Blvd; Rancho Palos Verdes, Ca 90275)
Malaga Cove Library (2400 VíaCampesina, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274)
Film Panels, Market and gala venue: Fred Hesse Community Park, McTaggart Hall (29301 Hawthorne Blvd; Rancho Palos Verdes, Ca 90275)
www.vidaghaffari.com
http://www.imdb.me/vidaghaffari
https://www.instagram.com/vidaghaffari/
www.youtube.com/vidagster
