The Spirit of Old Hollywood: Hollywood Arts Council

"The Spirit of Old Hollywood"

“The Spirit of Old Hollywood” was the theme of the Hollywood Arts Council membership salon on October 21st. The event, which was held at the Hollywood Post 43 American Legion, included ghost tours and live jazz by the Hollywood Rhythm Kings.

The American Legion is a registered historical landmark with decades of Hollywood history.  Built in 1929, the three story building has a ballroom, dining room, auditorium, museum, library and basement art deco bar with original light fixtures and mirrors.  You can read about the building’s colorful past here.

Hollywood American Legion: Basement Art Deco Bar

The Hollywood Arts Council promotes and supports the arts through advocacy, events and local school programs such as Project S.O.A.R. (Students Overcoming All Risks).  S.O.A.R. workshops encompass a broad range of arts, including painting, dance, photography and ceramics. The group also sponsors the annual Charlie Awards, a celebration of the arts and culture of Hollywood.

San Pedro International Film Festival

The San Pedro International Film Festival (SPIFFest) opened Friday night, October 12th at the Warner Grand Theatre with a screening of the "The Loneliest Planet," an award-winning indie film. 

Congresswoman Janice Hahn, LA City Attorney Carmen Trutanich; film and TV director James Fargo (The Enforcer, Every Which Way But Loose, Beverly Hills 90210); composer and producer Janet Cole Valdez; actors Dana Lee (Curb Your Enthusiasm, Rambo: First Blood Part II) Golden Brooks (The Great Divide, Hart of Dixie), Brea Bee (“Nikki” in Silver Linings Playbook), Rick Mora (Yellow Rock, Deadliest Warrior) and Veronica Milagros (The Gundown) attended the red carpet festivities. which were produced and managed by Ann | Rose.

The inaugural festival continued throughout the weekend with additional film screenings and workshops.  Festival winners included:

• Best Feature: "Silver Linings Playbook," directed by David O'Russell (USA)
• Best Documentary: "Return to Byzantium," directed by Adelina Suvagau (Canada)
• Best EcoDoc: "Quest For Energy," directed by Vinit Parmar (USA)
• Best Screenplay: "Dogs of the Pacific," written by Julian Surface (USA)
• Best 3D Documentary Short: "Cosmic Journey," directed by Jonathan Kitzen (USA)
• Best Animated Short: "Reality Clock," directed by Amanda Tasse (USA)
• Best Short: "Get a Move On," directed by Peter Oreskovic (Croatia)

SPIFFest was created to celebrate San Pedro's cultural diversity and film production history.