Noted Film Critic John Anderson Named
Programming Director for 2007 Festival

Calabasas, Calif., Nov. 15, 2006 - Renowned film critic John Anderson has been named Programming Director for the 2007 Method Fest. Anderson's reviews and features appear regularly in Newsday, Variety, Screen International and the New York Times. He has also contributed to the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Times Magazine, The Nation, the Christian Science Monitor, as well as Film Comment, LA Weekly, Artforum, Interview, Out, Ms. and the Washington Post.

Anderson is a past member of the selection committee of the New York Film Festival and the author of "Sundancing" (Avon, 2000), “Edward Yang” (University of Illinois Press, 2004) and, with Laura Kim, "I Wake Up Screening" (Billboard, April, 2006). He is a member and two-time past chair of the New York Film Critics Circle, a member of the National Society of Film Critics and a member of the National Book Critics Circle.

“We are delighted to have John as our head programmer,” said Don Franken, executive director of The Method Fest. “His encyclopedic knowledge and tremendous insight on independent film are great
additions to our team.”

The Method Fest takes great pride in being a discovery festival, looking to help launch the works of young “fresh” filmmakers and to discover breakthrough performances by young, bold, new actors. The festival has also showcased career-defining performances of established actors and independent projects of well-known directors. "We've prided ourselves on not just following other festivals' lineups.  We screen world premieres and true discoveries, mixed with a few larger films, " said Franken.

The 9th Method Fest will feature tributes to top actors and filmmakers. Also, acting workshops, panels and seminars. The workshops will involve different schools of acting.  A variety of other activities will complement the Method Fest screenings - filmmaking seminars, daily/nightly parties and receptions, industry events, a variety of Indie Music events, Lifetime Achievement Tribute, and the Awards Ceremony.     The Method Fest's Youth Outreach program includes a short film and screenplay competition for middle school and high school students.

In its first eight years The Method Fest has launched more than 80 films into the marketplace (theatrical distribution, DVD/video release, TV deals), and brought to attention actors like Naomi Watts, Jeremy
Sisto, Jena Malone, Tamara Hope and Eugene Byrd. Method Fest gems include Dreamland, Brothers, Steal Me, It's All Gone Pete Tong, Seven Times Lucky, December Ends, I Love Your Work, Intoxicating, Three Days of Rain, Close Your Eyes, Finder's Fee, Flickering Lights, The Visit, To End All Wars, Way Off Broadway, Jump Tomorrow, Man of the Year, Sobrevivire, ABCD, The Restless, Hard Luck, I Love Budapest, Lucinda's Spell, Poor White Trash, and My Sweet Killer, Sweet Thing, Dumbarton Bridge, The Corndog Man, Jimmy Zip, Night Orchid, and The Scottish Tale.

The Method Fest is presented by the City of Calabasas and presenting media partners, Charter Communications and the L.A. Daily News. Lead sponsors include Corona, Standard Pacific Homes and Time Warner Cable (Golden Reel Sponsors), Prudential California Realty (Silver Reel Sponsor), LA Auto Gallery (Spinning Reel Sponsor), Variety, SAG Indie, Indie 103.1,  Sony, Christie Digital, Country Inn & Suites by Carlson, Modern VideoFilm, Wexler, FilmFinders, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, International Bonded Couriers, (Bronze Reel Sponsors), Laemmle Theaters, Leonis Adobe, Pierce College, indieprinting.com,
withoutabox.com, Foxen Winery, Rodnik Vodka, Ice Age, the Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley / Valley of the Stars and Calabasas Chamber of Commerce (Festival Supporters). 

• Push – released theatrically in Los Angeles, August 2006; released on DVD nationwide, October 2006 by Allumination Filmworks;
• 11:59 – acquired by Showcase Entertainment for foreign distribution;
• Dirt Nap – scheduled for theatrical release in 2007
• Dreamland – release on DVD nationwide by Sony Pictures, December 2006.
• Expiration Date – limited theatrical release in selected cities.
• Niagara Model – released on DVD by worldwide by Mongrel Media
• Severed – released on DVD by Universal Studios.
• Special Ed – Released on DVD by Fireside Entertainment
• These Girls – released theatrically in Canada; released on DVD worldwide by Allumination Filmworks, May 2006.

2005 - YEAR SEVEN

• It's All Gone Pete Tong – released theatrically by Matson Films
• Brothers – released theatrically by IFC Films and Focus Features, 2005; released on DVD in 2006..
• The Nickel Children  - has been acquired by Rogue Arts for theatrical release after its world premiere at the Method Fest (which included stars Tamara Hope and Tom Sizemore attending). To be released
  theatrically in April, 2007.
• Steal Me – released theatrically in New York and Los Angeles in September 2005
• Love, Ludlow –released on DVD by Warner Home Video in January 2006.
• On The Outs – starring Judy Marte, Anny Mariano and Paola Mendoza was released theatrically to great reviews in July 2005. Released on DVD in May, 2006.
• Tollbooth – limited theatrical release; to be released on DVD in 2007..
• The Aryan Couple - theatrical release in the U.S., to be released on DVD by First Look Home Entertainment.
• Lbs. –released theatrically in March 2006 by Caby Pictures.
• Runin: Banished – released theatrically in Japan in January, 2006.
• Whirlygirl – released on DVD in May, 2006.
• Waterborne – released on DVD in February 2006 by MTI Home Video.
• DJ Hound Dog (Hey DJ) – released on DVD in February, 2006.
• The Good Humor Man – acquired and distributed by Showtime.

2004 - YEAR SIX

• Intoxicating – Released theatrically with Loews Cineplex, AMC and Regal theatre chains) via Rogue Arts and American World Pictures in the fall of 2004.  The film has been sold to Image Entertainment for DVD
  (upcoming).
• Seven Times Lucky – theatrical release in Canada and on Sundance Channel.
• I Love Your Work – limited theatrical release in 2005; released on DVD in 2006.
• Emile – Canadian DVD / video release; January 2005 US theatrical release, Castle Hill Productions; has premiered to home video in May 2005 via Monarch Home Entertainment (ie Ingram Entertainment).
• Close Your Eyes  - released theatrically in the US by First Look Pictures; now out on DVD.
• Perfect Strangers – released on DVD by First Look Home Entertainment.
• A Silent Love – released theatrically in the U.S. by Orsino Publicity.
• Beat Angel – released on DVD in 2006.
• Break a Leg – released on DVD by MTI Home Video in 2006.
• Insatiability – released on DVD in 2006.
• One Last Ride – limited theatrical release, 2006; released on DVD, June 2006.
• Petty Crimes – released on DVD by Vanguard Cinema in 2004.
• The Snow Walker – released on DVD by First Look Pictures in 2005.
• The Tesseract – played on Sundance Channel in 2004; released on DVD by Sundance Home Entertainment in 2005.

2003 - YEAR FIVE