Indie Fest Alumni Make Impact in Film Industry:
Method Fest Launching Pad for Films, Actors


Calabasas, Calif., Nov. 15, 2006 - After only eight years, The Method Fest independent film festival can look back with pride at the recognition its alumni - films and actors first showcased at The Method Fest - are receiving in the film industry. Here's an update of the things that have happened to our films and people since they began their countdown to stardom at The Method Fest.

2006 - YEAR EIGHT
  • 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 Motel - 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

  • Julie Walking Home (aka The Healer) - Acquired for US theatrical release by First Look  /Overseas Film Group;
  • 3 Days of Rain - released theatrically by Rogue Arts in fall of 2005. Film was opening night film for Method Fest just after its world premiere at Berlin.
  • Leo - Acquired for US theatrical release by First Look /Overseas Film Group
  • Raising Victor Vargas - released theatrically in the U.S.
  • Burning Down The House - Sold to all major video retailers (Blockbuster, Hollywood Video, Movie Gallery and Netflix) via Vanguard Cinema.
  • Navigators - Released theatrically, then released on DVD by First look Home Entertainment.
  • Bun-Bun (short film) - HBO
  • I Witness - released on DVD in 2003.

2002 - YEAR FOUR

  • To End All Wars - Released theatrically in the U.S.
  • Flickering Lights - Number one box office hit in home country of Denmark. Released theatrically in the U.S by Rogue Arts, and recently to DVD .
  • I Love Budapest - Released theatrically in the U.S by Rogue Arts (formerly FilmKitchen), recently to DVD
  • Lola (which screened at Toronto, Sundance and Berlin then Method Fest), acquired by Rogue Arts.  Premiering theatrically in summer 2005 then to home video.
  • The Good War -  Italian theatrical release.  Recently released theatrical in the US at Pacific's Arclight Cinemas and premiering to DVD with Monarch Home Video on Nov 30th.
  • Man of the Year - released theatrically in the U.S.
  • Killer Me - released to all major chains on DVD through Vanguard Cinema.

2001 - YEAR THREE

  • Jump Tomorrow - theatrically released (IFC)
  • I Will Survive (Sobrevivire) - theatrically released through Hollywood Independents
  • Finder's Fee - premiered on Showtime; acquired by Lions Gate, released on DVD .
  • ABCD - theatrically released.
  • The Book of Stars - released to video through Winstar Exiles in Paradise - released on Canadian television
  • Falling Like This - theatrically released by Outrider.  On DVD through Vanguard Cinema
  • Hard Luck - Released theatrically in six cities by Rogue Arts (formerly FilmKitchen) and to DVD via Vanguard Cinema.
  • John John In The Sky - sold to cable, (Lifetime)
  • Lansdown - theatrically released by Outrider.  On DVD through Vanguard Cinema.
  • Mission - Released to DVD by Vanguard Cinema.
  • The Restless - theatrically released - Laemmle theaters international series
  • Rustin - theatrical release in the south in several cities, released to DVD by Vanguard Cinema.

2000 - YEAR TWO

  • The Visit - which had its world premiere at the 2000 The Method Fest, received five Independent Spirit Award nominations and a National Board Special recognition, including one for Method Fest Best Actor Hill Harper. Released theatrically for Academy consideration in December 2000 in Los Angeles, followed by a 250-city theatrical release through New Line Cinema (international sales agent Shoreline Entertainment).
  • Poor White Trash - Trident Releasing for international sales and Hollywood Independents for U.S. distribution, was released theatrically in Los Angeles then on home video.
  • What I Like About You - was acquired by S-Entertainment for worldwide distribution.
  • Sweet Thing - was released by First Rites / The Asylum on home video and DVD.
  • Jimmy Zip - released to home video and DVD by The Asylum, also sold overseas through Atmosphere Entertainment, and to Showtime.
  • Stanley's Gig - has been sold to cable TV.
  • Trash - was released on video (Blockbuster) in March 2001.
  • Rollercoaster, - was released theatrically in Canada, and signed with 3DD for foreign sales.
  • The Young Unknowns - one of the favorites at the 2000 Method Fest, went on to be accepted at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival, and was acquired by Menemsha Entertainment for international sales. The film has screened theatrically in LA and NY with Indican Releasing.

1999 - YEAR ONE

  • My Sweet Killer - theatrically released in Los Angeles by Method Fest releasing, was released to home video and DVD by The Asylum, with 31,000 rentals in the first month.  Additionally, the film has been sold to Germany, Italy, Canada, Argentina, Australia, Thailand, and China. Lead actor Kirk Harris, winner of The Method Fest's Maverick Award, has gone on to star in FilmKitchen.com's Hard Luck and Intoxicating and was signed by the legendary manager/producer Herb Nanas (Albert Brooks, Sylvester Stallone, producer of First Blood, Defending Your Life, etc.).
  • Went to Coney Island on a Mission From God...Be Back By Five - acquired by Phaedra Cinema at the Method Fest, was released theatrically in September 2000 then to home video.
  • Lucinda's Spell  - was released theatrically in Los Angeles and New York, and is now available on home video.
  • Johnny Famous - Gergely Fonyo's drama starring Jon Jacobs, was nominated for the Hungarian Oscar.
  • The Scottish Tale - was released to home video by The Asylum.
  • The Night Orchid - was released to home video by The Asylum.
  • Dumbarton Bridge - debuted on cable (BET Movies, Starz/Encore) recently.  Sold to Blockbuster for home entertainment.
  • The Corndog Man - was sold to the Sundance Channel and to Blockbuster Home Video. Method Fest Best Actor winner Noble Willingham also received an IFP West Independent Spirit Award nomination.

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).