The 5th Annual Method Fest Film Festival, the only film festival in the U.S. that places its focus on breakout acting performances, has moved to Burbank, CA, and Mayor David Laurell couldn’t be happier.
“I’m thrilled to have this year’s Method Fest Film Festival in downtown Burbank,” Laurell said. “Considering Burbank is home for most of the Hollywood studios, I can’t think of a better place! The Method Fest will reinforce Burbank’s image as the epicenter of the entertainment industry and the media capital of the world. I’m just delighted that some of the most talented rising writers, directors and actors will soon join together in a town that many of them call home,” Laurell added.
For its first four years, the Method Fest Film Festival had taken place in Pasadena. Festival Director Don Franken says that the decision to move the festival from Pasadena to Burbank this year was an easy one. “With studios such as Warner Brothers and Disney in Burbank, television networks NBC and ABC, plus many post-production houses such as CFI located now in Burbank, I’m confident that our event will truly have an impact on the entertainment industry”, stated Franken. “Plus, the Burbank City support gives us more resources to work with to make this happen,.” said Franken.
Since its inception in 1999, the Method Fest has debuted many independent films showcasing many young stars including Rachel Leigh Cook, Jena Malone, Matthew Lillard, Naomi Watts, Portia DeRossi, Jeremy Sisto, Clifton Collins Jr., and new perspectives from established actors like Billy Dee Williams, Kiefer Sutherland, Robert Carlyle, James Earl Jones, Robert Forster, William Devane, Faye Dunaway, Julie Harris, Tippi Hedren and many more. This year is no different.
The Method Fest, taking place April 11 – 18 at the AMC Media City Center 8 Theatres in Downtown Burbank, will showcase over 65 feature and short films by U.S. and international filmmakers, with some breakout performances by Miranda Otto from “Lord of the Rings,” John Savage, Rene Auberjonois, Petra Wright, James Wilder, William Atherton, David Keith, Douglas Spain, and others.
This year, the Method Fest expands its celebration of film and quality acting with its first Acting Competition. The Acting Competition will begin on April 5th with an open call in Burbank for actors prepared to perform a one minute monologue. The participants will be narrowed down to 15 finalists, then to the final winner of the Method Fest Film Festival “Star of Tomorrow”.
For more information, visit the Method Fest website.
