CFF is one of MovieMaker Magazine’s 2022 “Top 50 Film Festivals Worth The Entry Fee” (worldwide), and has always been in the TOP 1% Elite festivals on FilmFreeway.com‘s Top 25-40 “Best Reviewed Festivals” (out of 10,000+ festivals worldwide) for almost 10 years straight. Each year the Catalina Film Institute presents the Catalina Film Festival; an annual celebration of film on the only California Coast resort island, features more than 200 films, nightly events and entertainment. From Charlie Chaplin to Marilyn Monroe, celebrities and filmmakers have flocked to Catalina for inspiration. Clear blue water and coastal breezes provide the perfect backdrop for unparalleled premieres, yacht and mansion parties, industry networking and discovering everything that the island has to offer— just 22 miles off the coast of Los Angeles.
Long Beach Launch: The festival launches in our connecting city, Long Beach, inside the all original 1924 art deco Scottish Rite Cultural Centre as its mainland home and headquarters; complete with its iconic 800-seat art deco theatre. This historic landmark was built by the same masons that built the Avalon Theatre on our namesake island. Both share a lot of architectural similarities, style and elegance.
On Catalina Island: Films are screened at multiple venues around the island, including the iconic, art deco, 1,200-seat Avalon Theatre— the world’s first sound theatre. Catalina Film Festival is a competitive festival with awards in up to 11 film categories, as well as our prestigious industry honors.
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