The Gala lineup includes Steve Carell-starring 'Seeking a Friend for the End of the World', Sundance darling 'Beasts of the Southern Wild' and Ava DuVernay-directed 'Middle of Nowhere'.
- Apr 24, 2012
AceShowbiz - The first three movies for the 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival Gala Screenings have been announced. On Monday, April 23, the festival's organizers confirmed that Lorene Scafaria's "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World", Benh Zeitlin's "Beasts of the Southern Wild", and Ava DuVernay's "Middle of Nowhere" are all set to be screened during the gala.
Of the three chosen movies, LAFF Director Stephanie Allain said, "We're proud to shine the spotlight on unique films that embody the spirit of independence." She added, "These movies, though vastly different, all explore the importance of human connection in a rapidly changing world. Entertaining emotional and thought provoking, there;s something for everyone - and more to come."
"End of the World", which stars Steve Carell and Keira Knightley, is an apocalyptic dramedy about a man who has a road trip with his neighbor to find his high school sweetheart a few days before the world ends. The film, which will open wide in the U.S. on June 22, marks Scafaria's directorial debut.
Meanwhile, "Beasts of the Southern Wild", which received critical acclaims and won big at this year's Sundance Film Festival, has been dubbed as a break-out hit. Slated for a June 27 release nationwide, the drama follows a girl who lives in a "forgotten" Louisiana bayou community with her father. She aims to find her lost mother after a fierce storm wreaks havoc on her world.
As for "Middle of Nowhere", the movie is described as "a portrait of a woman struggling between two worlds and two men in the search for herself." The film is due to arrive in cinemas on October 12.
The 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival will run from June 14 to 24. More than 200 feature films, shorts and music videos from over 30 countries are scheduled to be screened throughout the annual event. The festival is produced by Film Independent, the same company which also organized the Spirit Awards.
