Celebrity Connected Celebrated MTV Movie Awards 2018 w/Summer Fashion, Cooking, Skincare & Dog Products

Photos & story by Karen Ostlund
 On June 15 2018, one day prior to MTV Movie & TV Awards at Barker Hanger, Celebrity Connected held their yearly gifting suit at W Hotel in Hollywood,CA.
The suit focused on summer fashion 2018, healthy cooking in Steam Grill and Air Fryer Toaster Oven, desserts, organic skincare and dog products.

Air Fryer Toaster Oven is the new toaster oven with a built-in air fryer for Cuisinart.com. That means it not only bakes, broils, and toasts, it also lets you air fry right inside the oven. Air frying, which uses powerful ultra-hot air, is a healthier way to prepare  fried favorites, from wings to fritters to fries to shrimp. A healthy way to enjoy the  crunch without the calories and messy cleanup.

FrillUSA.com is an alternative to ice cream - made  from whole fruits, vegetables and natural ingredients; The fruit and vegetables are picked ripe and frozen immediately after harvest, which is the best way to preserve the full sun-ripened taste and nutrients. Half the sugar of regular ice cream and ten times the fibre, also diary free and gluten free. Brec Bassinger and Dylan Summerall at FrillUSA eating Bursting Berries flavor.

                                                                                           

UchiCook’s Steam Grill steams and grills food at the same time, which prevents essential nutrients from being stripped during the cooking process and shortens cooking time. Once grilling is complete, simply add water to the ridge surrounding the grill and place the lid on for trapping the steam inside. The double powers from grilling and steaming shorten your cooking time by 1/3 and make your dish perfectly juicy and tender. The high quality Japan-made surface is non-stick and easy to clean, which allows you to cook without oil. The thick plate distributes heat evenly and retains it for quicker cooking. The stay-cool handles ‘heat-resistance is up to 482 F. It can be used over direct flame, IH, or any other source of high-heat. https://www.uchicook.com/

Joseph Reitman at Cuisinart

 

Viet Kieu Sauce https://www.vietkieusauce.com/ Vietnamese foods are comprised mostly of fresh ingredients, including vegetables, herbs, and meats, but the main star is the sauce.
This fish sauce has natural ingredients with no preservative, MSG, or artificial coloring or flavoring. It comes from the famous island of Phu Quoc.

https://lbmodadesigns.com by Ann (in short black dress) offers a multitude of styles  of maxi evening dresses and gowns for all occasions

                                       

https://www.currentair.com/ was founded in Los Angeles 2016, and focus on modern fashion  silhouettes, versatile styles to make it easy transitions from casual to chic. Shaka Smith is holding a Current Air wide leg culotte with tie detail for Summer 2018.

                                                                                                                  

Ruffbars.com are organic snack bars for dogs containing top round roast, beef liver, dates, organic chia seeds, raw almonds and organic carrots.

(left) Kreayshawn at Lemost & Lola Jeans.https://www.lecmostlola.com/ All jeans jackets are hand-painted, meaning each piece is one of a kind.

                 

BusterBoyMats.com Buster Boy mats for dogs have a non-slip under surface that keeps the mat from moving around the car seat as you turn or brake. The non-slip surface is made with a bonding technology, so the top layer has traction for dog nails to grip.

                           

https://barreletixx.com is designed specifically to improve the grip, balance and strength while in the studio or in water. Barre’letixx was created by a former model Stefanie Kwiatkowski who discovered the beauty and challenge of Barre workouts.  She designed Element 14 and Aquatic 14, revolutionary footwear for the Barre, Pilates, Yoga, Dance and Swim.

   

                     

VIVI Collection https://www.vicicollection.com/collections/dresses Floral and Croquet for Summer 2018

https://pets.waterpik.com/ The Pet Wand dog shower attaches to your utility sink or garden hose. The contoured water combing spray from the Pet Wand penetrates the thickest fur, quickly removing dirt and shampoo for a deeper and more thorough clean. The Waterpik Pet Wand Pro Dog Shower attachment is made for washing 100 lb. Lab to 25 lb. poodle. Danielle Cohn is holding PetWandPRO

The Onyx Youth Magnet Mask uses high-quality botanical oils and minerals only found in the heart of a Korean Volcano to enrich skin, refining its tone and texture and reducing signs of aging. Its a spa experience to do at home and reveal glowing skin with Vitamins A, E and C, essential fatty acids, antioxidants and other nutrients.The Onyx Youth Magnet mask is formulated with 17 enriching amino acids, 17 natural botanical oils, Korean volcanic scoria, vitamins and minerals.The Onyx Youth Magnet Mask is safe to use 2-3 times a week and can only be peeled off with the magnetic wand included, which draws pollutants up and out of your skin with 3,000g of lifting power. Not to rinse off. https://onyxyouth.com

Expert Irina Cheva, came from Florida to Hollywood, CA to promote BeautyDermaPro.com and her organic skincare line. She is a licensed permanent makeup artist and esthetician with a background in science and research. "Apply The Organic Tonifying Mist to clean skin, then follow with Beautydermapro Organic Moisturizer"

Crystal healing products https://www.lovinglykelly.com/ is a body line infused with Selenite crystals, Angel blessings and Reiki healing. Popular products in her line are Selenite Infused Roll-On Body and Anointing Oil, Sunflower Citrine Crystal soap, Crystal Sugar scrub and Selenite Crystal Lotion.  All ingredients are natural and organic.

Nanacoco provides a range of cosmetic products including glittering lip gloss for Summer 2018.  Animal cruel free. http://www.annieinc.com/nanacoco/

https://www.spicydarkcosmetics.com/ Spicy Dark is a professional makeup line which is formulated with essential vitamins and minerals that enhance the beauty of all skin tones.An oil-free foundation for all ages and skin types who prefer an easy-to-apply lightweight foundation that provides a smooth even coverage.A matifying face primer that smoothes, hydrates, and brightens the skin.

https://www.sweetcelebrationslubbock.com/  specializing in designed birthday and wedding cakes, pies, cupcakes and cookies in 40 flavors.

www.LadyM.com are famous for their Green Tea Mille Crêpes Cakes with infused green tea powder. Twenty  thin crêpes enveloping  in  pastry cream, with powdered matcha to top. Allergens: Dairy, Eggs, Gelatine, Nuts and Wheat.

https://cinderellascloset.shop/ Cinderella’s Closet (AshleyPhillis and AngelaPrice) provide an opportunity for women and men to create freedom by selling comfortable custom made graphic clothing and also offering consultants to become their own business owners.

https://www.searchpartyapparel.com/  Their shirts are a blend of cotton (60%) and polyester (40%) and a lifestyle street-wear brand dedicated to aligning quality and design . Search Party Apparel is the product of creative freedom influenced by surfing, skateboarding, and snowboarding.

Kate Linder at https://eliivate.com/  Celestial NASA inspired iPhone cases

https://chicsparrow.com/ The Mr. Darcy notebook collection is made from full grain leather that is treated with natural oils and fats, then buffed to a beautiful luster.  The name is inspired by the hero of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Fitzwilliam Darcy as in the novel with the same name.

https://mydreamsleeper.com The Dream Sleeper is perfect for travel and daytime napping, and was created out of the basic need of complete darkness with a degree of noise reduction

(right) Grace Valerie at /www.mycrazyspankystore.com/ Crazy Pants and tops in many colors and pattern (Nylon and spandex) for boys and girls.

Latino Filmfest Returns to Hollywood, June 20-24 after 5 Years Absent

(left) actor Edward James Olmos at Premios Platino press-conference at Roosevelt Hotel in 2017

– Academy Award-nominated actor Edward James Olmos announced 2018 festival programming for the long-awaited return of LALIFF, the largest Latino film festival to be hosted out of Hollywood, CA, to be presented at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood June 20 – 24 2018.

After 5 years absent  of the festival,  LALIFF’s new Director of Programming Diana Sanchez, and Senior Programmer Dilcia Barrera are introduced.

The Festival will showcase variety of international films by next generation Latino filmmakers including Alan Palomo and Guadalupe Rosales, and a 5-day music series and CultureStrike art installation to coincide with festival, along with first-ever student film festival (LALIFF Legacy)


The Latino festival returns with expanded programming, including both short and long form films created, directed, starring or produced by the next generation of Latino entertainers. filmmakers and cast to present their award-winning work from across the globe: Argentina, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Cuba, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, Paraguay, Spain and North America.

“LALIFF has long been the most important Latino film festival in the U.S.but this time around, with the launch of LALIFF Art, LALIFF Music and LALIFF Legacy, we are making sure it becomes the Mecca of Latino content,” said Edward James Olmos, founder of LALIFF. “LALIFF is a celebration of having our voices heard beyond the film screen, and we felt it crucial to bring the festival back to the place where it started in Hollywood, CA.

LALIFF, aimed at showcasing Latino perspectives through art will kick-off opening night with the Los Angeles premier of “The Sentence,” winner of the “Audience Award – U.S. Documentary” at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. Drawing from hundreds of hours of footage, filmmaker Rudy Valdez shows the aftermath of his sister Cindy’s 15-year sentence for conspiracy charges related to crimes committed by her deceased ex-boyfriend—something known, in legal terms, as “the girlfriend problem.” Valdez’s method of coping with this tragedy is to film his sister’s family for her, both the everyday details and the milestones—moments Cindy herself can no longer share in. But in the midst of this nightmare, Valdez finds his voice as both a filmmaker and activist, and he and his family begin to fight for Cindy’s release during the last months of the Obama administration’s clemency initiative. Whether their attempts will allow Cindy to break free of her draconian sentence becomes the aching question at the core of this deeply personal portrait of a family in crisis.

Many local and international guests will attend the festival, including iconic Spanish cult filmmaker, Alex de la Iglesia, whose latest comedy Perfect Strangers, is a hilarious commentary on how smartphones can be disastrous for relationships, Veneno, The First Fall, starring Manny Perez, details the life of Dominican wrestler Jack Veneno, who himself was inspired by the films of “El Santo.” Both Manny Perez and filmmaker Tabaré Blanchard will attend.

The festival will also feature 26 bold short films throughout, including the following:

Good Crazy, the Sundance premiered directorial debut of actress Rosa Salizar (James Cameron’s and director Robert Rodriguez’s forthcoming sci-fi action film Alita: Battle Angel, FX’s American Horror Story: Murder House, and the Maze Runner film series).

The Borscht Corp Collective, a series of short films including Chlorophyll from Academy Award-winning director Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) in celebration of its 10-year anniversary.

LALIFF will offer two $5 special screenings that include the presentation of Santo Contra “Cererbro del Mal” (1961), a partnership with the Academy Film archive that marks the West Coast premiere of the restoration. To celebrate the World Cup, we are pleased to offer the Uruguayan film Home Team, a tale about a small town boy whose prodigious talent for soccer takes him to places he never dared to dream.

A special Latinx podcast event (“Live from LALIFF”) with Latinos Who Lunch and Locatora Radio will be free and open to the public, as they interview the creator, Tanya Saracho, and the stars of Starz’s new original hit show, VIDA.

The festival will also host the first-ever student film festival, LALIFF Legacy, powered by the year-round work in public schools of the Youth Cinema Project. This two-day student event is presented by CAA.

LALIFF, aimed at showcasing Latino perspectives through art will kick-off opening night Wednesday June 20 with the Los Angeles premiere of the “ The Sentence ,” winner of the “Audience Award – U.S. Documentary” at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. Drawing from hundreds of hours of footage, filmmaker Rudy Valdez shows the aftermath of his sister Cindy’s 15-year sentence for conspiracy charges related to crimes committed by her deceased ex-boyfriend—something known, in legal terms, as “the girlfriend problem.” The Mexican Standoff and Tropa Magica will perform after the screening  sponsored by AltaMed.,


The list of feature film screenings :

The Sentence, dir. Rudy Valdez, USA (Opening film)
Bad Labor, dir. Chris Carmona, USA
Bad Lucky Goat, dir. Samir Oliveros, Colombia
Candelaria, dir. Jhonny Hendrix, Colombia/Cuba
Killing Jesus, dir. Laura Mora, USA
La Quinceañera, dir. Gigi Saul Guerrero, USA
Lots of Kids, a Monkey and a Castle, dir. Gustavo Salmerón, Spain
Loveling Gustavo Pizzi, Brazil
Home Team, dir. Carlos Morelli, Uruguay
Perfect Strangers, dir. Alex de la Iglesia, Spain
Santos Contra “Cerebro del Mal”, dir. Joselito Rodriguez, Mexico/Cuba
The Future Ahead, dir. Constanza Novick, Argentina
The Pushouts, dirs. Katie Galloway & Dawn Valdez, USA
Who are You? Ari Maniel Cruz, Puerto Rico
Veneno, The First Fall, dir. Tabaré Blanchard, Dominican Republic
Violeta at Last, dir Hilda Hidalgo, Costa Rica
The Gold Seekers, dir. Tana Schémbori & Juan Carlos Maneglia, Paraguay (Closing film)
“For too long we’ve been talking about issues of inequity and lack of diversity in our industry, and we are looking forward to being part of the solution.” — Edward James Olmos                 

For the full programming schedule, please visit: www.latinofilm.org

LA Pride Parade 2018 Best Moments

#JUSTBE

Photos Karen Ostlund 

Kickoff LA Pride Parade June 10 at Crescent Heights

The 2018 LA Pride Parade route from Fairfax to Doheny – telling this year’s #JUSTBE story made its way back home along Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood on Sunday, June 10th 2018.






 

Grand Marshal Michaela Ivri Mendelson

This was one of the highlight events of LA Pride Week 2018. This year’s Grand Marshal Michaela Ivri Mendelson, a transgender activist and entrepreneur Mendelson, led a colorful assortment of floats down a  1.5 mile stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard. Mendelsohn is the CEO of Pollo West Group and Founder of TransCanWork, now sits among a number of respected LGBTQ+ activists and community leaders who have received CSW’s most prestigious honor. 
She was chosen by Christopher Street West (CSW),which is a non-profit, organized the world’s first permitted parade advocating for gay rights on June 28, 1970, as a response to and in commemoration of the Stonewall Rebellion on Christopher Street in New York City the year prior. Since then, they have built a rich history as an active voice for the LGBTQ+ community across the Greater Los Angeles metropolitan area.

Pose (FX) TV show

Attorney Gloria Allred and ladies dressed in "All red"

The Abbey Bar Float with LOVE BOAT Jill Whelan

The Parade floats included the casts of Sense8 (Netflix), It’s Always Sunny (FX) and Pose (FX), along with other celebrities  including Fran Dresher, Jill Whelan from the Love Boat with The Abbey, Ketya from Drag Race, Marlee Matlin, Attorney Gloria Allred and several ladies dressed in and as “all red,” and Congressman Adam Schiff, LA Mayor Garcetti, former Beverly Hills Mayor Lili Bosse and Congresswoman Maxine Waters.

(Left with flag) LA Mayor Garcetti

Former Beverly Hills Mayor Lili Bosse

Mickey's Bar in West Hollywood Float at LAPride Parade 2018

#LoveGreatBritain Bus

PAWS for PRIDE in PINK

Sponsor Chipotle's Giant Burrito at LAPride Parade 2018

LA Pride Festival’s second day also featured entertainment of artists including Natalia Jiminez, Keke Wyatt, Allie X, Eve, and Tove Lo. www.LAPride.org

Ketel One Botanical Launch Summer 2018

Photos by Karen Ostlund
– An evening of music, fitness, and cocktails as we get ready to celebrate summer and the launch of Ketel One Botanical, said Tone It Up! co-founder Karena Dawn at Millwick, 800 E 4th Pl , Los Angeles.

May 22nd, Ketel One Botanical launched as a series of three varietals in beautifully illustrated, botanical-inspired bottles: Peach & Orange Blossom, for those who enjoy lush, juicy white peaches and bold notes of fragrant orange blossoms; Cucumber & Mint, for those who appreciate crisp cucumbers and light tones of fresh garden mint; and Grapefruit & Rose, for those who seek zesty, mouthwatering grapefruit and the refined elegance of rose petals.

The evening kicked off with a fitness class taught by Tone It Up! trainers Chyna Rae and Tori Simeone as DJ Brittany Sky spun tunes. Following the class, guests could enjoy fresh tasting, signature Ketel One Botanical cocktails and juice shots.          

Ketel One Botanical is a 30% ABV spirit made with 100% non-GMO grain, with no carbs, no artificial flavors, no added sugars, no artificial sweeteners and it’s only 73 calories. On the cocktail menu:
The Ketel One Botanical & Soda:
Grab a wine glass
Fill it with ice
Pour Ketel One Botanical (1.5 oz.)
Top with sparkling water (3 oz.)
Choose the garnish: fragrant herbs, crisp citrus or fresh fruit

Tone It Up trainers Tori Simeone (L) and Chyna Rae w Ketel One Botanical & Soda

Peachy Keen Fizz  cocktail:
– Ketel One Botanical Peach & Orange Blossom, fresh lemon, strawberry, rhubarb, and tonic water
 Mint To Be cocktail:
– Ketel One Botanical Cucumber & Mint, fresh lime, mint, fresh pressed kiwi juice, agave and club soda

Grapefruit Glow
– Ketel One Botanical Grapefruit & Rose, fresh grapefruit, pineapple, wildberry, raw honey, hibiscus flower tea, and rose water

Karen Ostlund at Ketel One Botanical

Ketel One Botanical vodka is distilled with botanicals and infused with fruit and botanical essences and origin from 11th generation family distillers Carl Nolet Jr. and Bob Nolet in Schiedam, Holland. www.ketelonebotanical.com 
                                              

Forget Me Not Juice Shot

13th Annual LAWineFest Returns June 2nd & 3rd to ROW DTLA

Photos by Karen Ostlund

 LAWineFest returns on June 2 and 3, 2018 to downtown LA.

Stroll down for complete list of Wineries & Beers exhibitors 2018

LAWineFest crowd in 2017 at ROW DTLA

Will & Wont's band performed at LAWinefest 2017

Rebel Coast Winery at LAWinefest 2017 at ROW DTLA

The LAWinefest moved last year from Hollywood to the ROW DTLA at 777 S. Alameda Street - an artsy place that offers plenty of parking.
The festival is often called LA's "Signature Celebration of all Things Wine,”and is the  combination of award-winning wines and artisan beers, but offer also coffee, cider and water.

LAWinefest was founded by DR. Joel Fisher (in red shirt).

LAWinefest was founded by DR. Joel Fisher in 2005 and now in its 13th year. The event became popular in L.A. to bring wine and people together, because it balanced fun and education. Each day include tastings, presentations and seminars or just relax to live music in one of the lounge areas.

Guests savor and discover flavors from around the world, whether a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, well balanced Pinot Noir, or an ice cold innovative craft beer. For wine aficionados who want to experience small-batch pours from boutique wineries, there will be a limited number of daily tickets for tastings at vip lounges.

LAWinefest 2017

While sipping, savoring, and strolling, attendees will be able to shop for unique, one-of-a-kind items offered from artesian boutique exhibitors along with the ROW DTLA new shops opening throughout the complex. Food trucks will be on site.

LAWineFest will donate a portion of the event proceeds to a worth non-profit organization.
Event sponsors include ROW DTLA, Los Angeles Magazine, Icelandic Glacial, King Barrel, Pasquini Coffee.


Admission to LAWineFest includes commemorative glass, beverage sampling, bottled water, coffee and bread. Designated drivers are encouraged and receive discounted admission.

Pasquini Coffee

Festival hours are: Saturday, June 2nd: 2pm to 6pm, and
Sunday, June 3rd: 1pm to 5pm. Tickets are $90 per day or $120 (which includes the popular and limited boutique tasting), and $25 for designated drivers. More info at www.LAWineFest.com



                                             Wineries LAWinefest 2018

Ascension Cellars*
Byron Blatty Wines*
Caduceus Cellars/Merkin Vineyards
Cass Winery
Cavaletti Vineyards
Cloak & Dagger Wines
Clos Pepe Estate*
Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits
Giracci Family of Wines* (Giracci Vineyards, A Stone’s Throw, Cowboy Canyon)
Herzog Wine Cellars (Sunday only)
J. Wilkes Wines (Saturday only)
Joya Import
Kooksoondang Brewery Co., LTD
LOLA Wines
Los Angeles International  Wine Competition
Lucky Dogg Winery
New Zealand Wine Navigator*
Obvious Wines
PB Importers – Hungarian Wines
Quigley Fine Wines
Riboli Family Wines of San Antonio Winery
Roadhouse Winery*
Slyd Wines*
Sycamore Ranch Vineyard & Winery*
Temecula Valley Winegrowers
The Wine Caterers
Vino Vibes*
Wedell Cellars*
Wilson Creek Winery
Wines of Greece
Yarden Wines
* Boutique Wineries

Beers & Ciders LAWinefest 2018

Highwater Brewing
Iron Triangle Brewing Company
Lagunitas Brewing Company
Lincoln Beer Company
Peroni
Reel Brew Co.
San Fernando Brewing Company

COLCOA French Film Festival 2018 Winners: Cinema, Television, Shorts & Digital Series

Announcements by Karen Ostlund

COLCOA French Film Festival Announced 17 Awards For Cinema, Television, Shorts and Digital Series at the 22^nd Edition of the Festival, which ended yesterday.

LE BRIO Wins LAFCA Jury Award and BLOODY MILK/Petit Paysan Wins Audience Award 

LE BRIO Wins LAFCA Jury Award

BLOODY MILK/Petit Paysan Wins Audience Award

 (West Hollywood, May 1, 2018) The Franco-American Cultural Fund, a collaboration between the Directors Guild of America, the Motion Picture Association, The Writers Guild of America West and France’s Society of Authors, Composers and Publishers of Music (SACEM), announced today the awards for the 22^nd edition of COLCOA French Film Festival.

COLCOA Cinema – 8 Awards

This year’s LAFCA film jury was comprised of Lael Lowenstein (KPCC’s FilmWeek), Wade Major (KPCC’s FilmWeek, DigiGods, CineGods.com) and Chuck Wilson (LA Weekly and Village Voice).

LE BRIO, written and directed by Yvan Attal was awarded the COLCOA LAFCA Critics Award/Prix de la Critique by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Jury at the 22^nd edition of COLCOA French Film Festival.

Jury Statement

At a time of heightened racial and religious tensions on both sides of the Atlantic, writer/director Yvan Attal’s superb LE BRIO shines a hopeful light on a subject too often relegated to dark prognostications. In blending elements from such classics as PYGMALION and THE PAPER CHASE with serious issues of contemporary concern, Attal’s smart, elegantly-crafted and superbly entertaining film is both socially relevant and artistically proficient, making it the perfect choice for our COLCOA jury.  In the hands of veteran Daniel Auteuil and dazzling newcomer Camélia Jordana, Attal’s crackling dialogue becomes the spark that sets off one of the most incendiary screen pairings in recent years. 

C’EST LA VIE!/Le Sens de la fête, written and directed by Éric Toledano & Olivier Nakache, was awarded the LAFCA Critics Special Prize/Prix Special de la Critique.

Jury Statement

C’EST LA VIE! is further confirmation that Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache are among the most skilled filmmakers currently working anywhere in the world. It’s an unbelievable juggling act — folding an unwieldy number of characters and subplots into a single, frenetic event — that manages to be as life-affirming as it technically accomplished. 

LUNA, written and directed by Elsa Diringer, received the Best First Feature Award/Prix du Meilleur Premiere Film.

Jury Statement

Our jury also celebrates the achievement of first-time writer/director Elsa Diringer whose LUNA stands apart from a host of other films wrestling with the contemporary challenges of youth. Anchored by a sterling lead performance from Laëtitia Clément, LUNA is at once heartbreaking and impassioned, deeply empathetic and bracingly optimistic.

BLOODY MILK/Petit Paysan, written and directed by Hubert Charuel, won the distinguished COLCOA Audience Award/Prix du Public.

PROMISE AT DAWN/La Promesse de l’aube, written and directed by Éric Barbier, opened the festival, and won the Audience Special Prize/Prix Special du Public.

MAKALA, directed by Emmanual Gras, received the Best Documentary Award/Prix du Meilleur Documentaire.

CUSTODY/Jusqu’ à la garde, written and directed by Xavier Legrand, was awarded the Coming Soon Award, which is awarded to a film with a U.S. distributor.   The film will be released by Kino Lorber later this year. 

SEE YOU UP THERE/Au revoir là-haut, written and directed by Albert Dupontel, won the American Students Award/Prix des Etudiants Amercains.  This award was voted on exclusively by a jury of ten students from local area high schools and colleges.

COLCOA Television – 4 Awards

Presented in association with TV France International and TITRAFILM, the COLCOA Television competition awarded four programs the following awards:

THE AGE OF STATELESS/Le Temps des égarés, written by Gaëlle Belland, directed by Virginie Sauveur, received the Best TV Movie Award/Prix du Meilleur Telefilm.

PROUD/Fiertes, written by José Caltagirone, Niels Rahou, Philippe Faucon and directed by Philippe Faucon, was awarded the Best TV Series Award/Prix de la Meilleure Serie and the Audience Award (TV Series)/Prix de L’Audiene (Serie).

 

INFIDELITY/Un Adultere written by Eric Assous, Stéphanie Vasseur and directed by Philippe Harel, was honored with the TV Movie Audience Award/Prix de L’Audience Telefilm.

COLCOA Shorts – 4 Awards

GRAMS/Petites filles, written/directed by Camille Japy, won the Best Short Film Award/Prix du Meilleur Court Metrage.

THE WRINKLES/Les Bigorneaux, written/directed by Alice Vial, received both the Best Short Film Special Prize/Prix Special du Court Metrage and the Audience Short Film Award/Prix de L’audience Court Metrage.

HYBRIDS, written/directed by Romain Thirion, Florian Brauch, Matthieu Pujol, Kim Tailhades, and Yohan Thireau,was awarded the inaugural Best Animated Short/Prix du Court Metrage d’animation.

COLCOA Digital Series – 1 Award

BIARRITZ SURF GANG, written and directed by Nathan Curren and Pierre Denoyel, was awarded The Best Digital Series/Prix de la Meilleure Serie Digitale.

86 films, television series, digital series and VR programs were presented at COLCOA this year and 33 features, 4 documentaries, 23 short films, 12 television series, and 4 digital series competed for the 2018 COLCOA Awards. Films details: www.colcoa.org/

This year’s festival opened on Monday, April 23 with the North American Premiere of writer/director Eric Barbier’s PROMISE AT DAWN and closed with the North American premiere of Cedric Kahn’s new drama THE PRAYER on Monday, April 30.  Writer, director and actress Mélanie Laurent was honored as the “Focus on a Filmmaker” and composer Laurent Perez Del Mar was honored with the “Focus on a Composer.”  Happy Hour talks included France’s Female New Wave with panelists w/d Sou Abadi (SOME LIKE IT VEILED, w/d Elisa Diringer (LUNA), actor Camélia Jordana (LE BRIO and SOME LIKE IT VEILED), w/d Nawell Madani (STAND UP GIRL) and w/d Marie-Garel Weiss (THE PARTY’S OVER) and a panel with several of the festival filmmakers including w/d Eric Barbier (PROMISE AT DAWN), w/d Samuel Benchetrit (DOG), w/d Hubert Charuel (BLOODY MILK), w/d/p Charles de Meaux (THE LADY IN THE PORTRAIT), w/d Xavier Legrand (CUSTODY) and w/d Marie-Garel Weiss (PARTY’S OVER).

 

Other attendees included director Jon Amiel, writer, director, producer Lucia Aniello, composer Jean-Michel Bernard, Anthony Bajon (THE PRAYER), director Modi Barry (CHATEAU), w/d Dany Boon (FAMILY IS FAMILY), director James Bort (RISE OF A STAR), actor Isabelle Candelier (BLOODY MILK), w/d Christian Carion (MY SON), author Erri De Luca, Prima Ballerina at Paris Opera Ballet Dorothée Gilbert (RISE OF A STAR), actor Vanessa Guide (LET THE GIRLS PLAY), w/d Taylor Hackford, musician Jean-Michel Jarre, w/d Philippe Le Guay (NAKED NORMANDY), writer, director, producer and education Jeremy Kagan, actor Xavier Lemaître (INFIDELITY), actor Gong Li, w/d Michael Mann, w/d Mike Mills, actor Vanessa Paradis (DOG), composer Lalo Schifrin (Honoree), singer Hélène Ségara. w/d Francis Veber (THE DINNER GAME), and w/d Marie-Garrel Weiss (PARTY’S OVER).

COLCOA FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL is presented by the Franco-American Cultural Fund, a unique collaboration between the Directors Guild of America, the Motion Picture Association, the Writers Guild of America West, and France’s Society of Authors, Composers and Publishers of Music (SACEM). COLCOA is also supported by France’s Society of Authors, Directors and Producers (L’ARP), the Film and TV Office of the French Embassy in Los Angeles, the CNC, TV France International, and Unifrance.

COLCOA FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL is sponsored by Air Tahiti Nui, TV5MONDE, Variety (Official Sponsors); Admirable Malibu Wines, Airstar America, Barnstormer, France Télévisions, KPCC 89.3, Los Angeles Times, Champagne Trésor de France, The Hollywood Reporter (Premier Sponsors); Club Culinaire of Southern California, ELMA, LA Confidential, Sunset Marquis, Titra Film (Major Sponsors); Alliance Française de Los Angeles, Cinando, D’Alessio Law Group, Discover Hollywood, Duverger, Laemmle, Marché du Film/Festival de Cannes, Miraval/Vineyard Brands/La Vielille Ferme, Office de Tourisme Epernay, Paul M. Young Fine Wines, (Platinum Sponsors); Cinelife, Delair Labs, France-Amérique, French Morning, Gayot, Hénaff Gonidec, La Chouquette, Le Grenouille Selections/The Source Imports, Locations Wines, Lycée International Los Angeles, Mademoiselle M, MAC, Petit Pot, Rosenthal, Samsung, Sharingbox, Tealeaves (Supporting Sponsors).

 www.colcoa.org