LOS ANGELES (April 12, 2006) – Dawn Hudson, Executive Director of Film Independent, announced that George Lucas will serve as the Guest Director for the 2006 Los Angeles Film Festival, which runs in Westwood Village from Thursday, June 22, through Sunday, July 2. As Guest Director, Lucas will create a special sidebar program of films for the festival, a selection of movies that have inspired his work. In addition, the Festival retreat will be hosted at Skywalker Ranch in Marin County, California.

"As a pioneer and innovator, George Lucas values the ideas, goals and artistry that Film Independent champions," said Hudson. "He is the ultimate independent filmmaker. His talent and his contributions to cinema make this year a true milestone for the Los Angeles Film Festival as a world-class event."

"George Lucas is a trailblazer and champion of all types of independent filmmaking. As a world-renowned filmmaker, his presence and participation as this year’s Guest Director is an honor for the festival," said Festival Director Rich Raddon and Director of Programming Rachel Rosen.

"I’m a huge fan of independent and regional filmmaking, and am happy that the L.A. Film Festival is turning a spotlight on such talented artists," Lucas said. "I’m very proud to be involved with the Festival as a Guest Director."

Born in Modesto, California, Lucas’ first career choice was to become a race car driver, but after a near-fatal car accident in his final weeks of high school, he became interested in making movies.

After junior college, Lucas enrolled at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts and made several short films, including Electronic Labyrinth THX 1138 4EB, which won first prize at the

1967-68 National Student Film Festival. In 1968, he was awarded a scholarship by Warner Brothers to observe the making of Finian’s Rainbow directed by his soon-to-be friend and colleague Francis Ford Coppola. Together in San Francisco, they formed American Zoetrope in 1969.

Shortly after, Lucas ventured out on his own to write and direct the semi-autobiographical film American Graffiti, which was nominated for five Academy Awards and became the most profitable movie of its time. Its success allowed Lucas to bring his Star Wars saga to the screen in 1977, and to create the Indiana Jones movies. Both the Star Wars and Indiana Jones movies went on to break box-office records and influence movie audiences and moviemakers for decades.

Lucas’ venerable filmmaking career has not only been spent behind the camera. He has also launched many companies that support the art of moviemaking, such as his own production company, Lucasfilm Ltd.; Industrial Light & Magic, one of the world’s leading visual-effects companies; and Skywalker Sound, a leader in digital sound technology. Lucasfilm also helped transform the moviegoing experience with its high-quality THX certification program.

Lucas was honored with the Irving G. Thalberg award in 1992 by the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for his lifetime achievement, serves as chairman and founder of The George Lucas Educational Foundation, and currently sits on the USC School of Cinema-Television's Board of Councilors.

Film Independent’s Los Angeles Film Festival is presented by the Los Angeles Times and is supported by Premier Sponsors—In Style, Target, Pop Secret, and Intel; and by Principal Sponsor—Eastman Kodak Company. Special support provided by the National Endowment for the Arts. American Airlines is the Official Airline Partner and WireImage is the Official Photography Agency of Film Independent.

Over the course of 10 days and 11 nights, the public is invited to Westwood Village to take advantage of Los Angeles Film Festival world premieres including independent films and major studio releases, tribute screenings, free outdoor movies, celebrity-filled Red Carpets, VIP parties and more. Drawing a diverse audience of more than 60,000 attendees, the festival offers interactive programming, family-friendly events, and more than 75 features and 60 short film screenings from around the world.

Screenings and events will be held in Westwood at: Royce Hall, James Bridges Theater and Melnitz Hall on the UCLA campus and at the Geffen Playhouse, Mann Village Theatre, Landmark Regent Theatre, Italian Cultural Institute, Mann Festival Theater, Mann National Theater, Hammer Museum and the Majestic Crest Theater.

Festival screening schedules and programming information will be announced Thursday, June 1. Passes are now on sale. For more information about the Los Angeles Film Festival, please call 1-866-FilmFest or visit www.lafilmfest.com.

About Film Independent

Film Independent, the largest non-profit membership organization for independent filmmakers, cultivates the careers of independent filmmakers, builds the audience for independent films, and increases diversity in the film industry. Film Independent provides its members with more than 250 annual events and screenings, along with professional advice, educational programs, affordable camera and equipment rentals, and discounts to hundreds of industry-related businesses.

Film Independent also offers Filmmaker Labs, giving filmmakers the opportunity to develop their projects, and Project: Involve, a mentorship and job placement program that pairs filmmakers from culturally diverse communities with film industry professionals. Film Independent produces the Independent Spirit Awards and Los Angeles Film Festival, celebrating the best of American and international independent cinema. For more information, visit www.FilmIndependent.org.

For Film Festival:
Jennifer Lopez, MPRM (323) 933-3399; jlopez@mprm.com
Michael Lawson, MPRM (323) 933-3399; mlawson@mprm.com

For Film Independent:
Michele Robertson, MRC (310) 652-6123