..Gary Dretzka
..Noah Forrest
..Leonard Klady
..R.J. Matson
..David Poland
..Douglas Pratt
..Ray Pride
..Michael Wilmington

June 8, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE

IFP / LOS ANGELES ANNOUNCES SPECIAL NEW CATEGORY FOR THE 2004 LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL

-- WORLDWIDE FEST FAVORITE "MEAN CREEK" TO BE SHOWCASED --IN "STRAIGHT OUT OF CANNES" SECTION

LOS ANGELES (June 8, 2004) Dawn Hudson, Executive Director of IFP/Los Angeles, announced today that they have created a new category for the 2004 Los Angeles Film Festival, "Straight Out of Cannes." The first film to launch this section is Paramount Classics' "Mean Creek." "Mean Creek" marksscreenwriter Jacob Estes' feature directorial debut from his Nicholl Award-winning original screenplay.

"Over the past few years we have discussed the idea of creating a spot in the festival that highlights a film from Cannes. This year, we are thrilled to announce that Jacob Estes' directorial debut will be the inaugural film in this category," said Director of Programming Rachel Rosen. "'Mean Creek' is a hidden treasure that we look forward to showcasing at this year's festival."

"Mean Creek" joins other Cannes Film Festival favorites "Dear Frankie," "Intimate Relations," "Z Channel," "Tarnation," among others.

An allegorical tale that probes the moral dilemmas that we, as adults, all face in the pressure-cooker environment of today, "Mean Creek" tells the story about a group of friends who are forced to grapple with the very meaning of friendship and responsibility. The haunting morality tale unspools on a river trip when things go awry.

With "Mean Creek," Estes and his cast of rising young stars have created not only a suspenseful morality tale but a film that is rare, revealing and thought-provoking. It all begins when shy Sam (RORY CULKIN) confesses to his protective older brother Rocky (TREVOR MORGAN) that he is getting harassed daily by the towering school bully George (JOSHUA PECK). Together, they plan the perfect payback.

Written and directed by Jacob Estes, the film stars Rory Culkin, Ryan Kelley, Scott Mechlowicz, Trevor Morgan, Josh Peck and Carly Schroeder. The
film is produced by Rick Rosenthal, Susan Johnson and Hagai Shaham.
Paramount Classics will release "Mean Creek" on August 20.

The 2004 Los Angeles Film Festival is sponsored by Premier Sponsors In Style and Target Stores; by Principal Sponsors American Airlines, the Directors Guild of America, Eastman Kodak Company, and Sofitel Los Angeles; by Platinum Sponsors 8000 Sunset, CFI, IFC, and Moviola; and by Promotional Sponsor the Los Angeles Times. Special support provided by the National Endowment for the Arts. WireImage is the official photographer for the 2004 Los Angeles Film Festival.

Previously announced, Halle Berry and Samuel L. Jackson will serve as Honorary Co-Chairs for the 2004 Los Angeles Film Festival. It was also announced that musician and filmmaker Neil Young will serve as Artist in Residence for this year's festival. Director Mira Nair ("Vanity Fair") will serve as Guest Director.

The Festival Center (including box office, free outdoor screenings, Porch Parties, and the Target Red Room Filmmaker Lounge) will be located at the 8000 Sunset. The festival will utilize screening facilities including the Laemmle Sunset 5 Theatres, Directors Guild of America, the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, and the ArcLight Hollywood Cinerama Dome.

Over the past ten years, the Los Angeles Film Festival has evolved into a world-class event, uniting emerging filmmakers with film critics, scholars, masters and the film-going public. The IFP/Los Angeles took over the festival in 2001, and expanded the festival to include international films and a variety of special events and screenings throughout Los Angeles.
Richard Raddon serves as the Festival Director. Rachel Rosen is the Director of Programming.

The festival has grown to more than 40,000 attendees, unveiling such films as "The Cooler," "Mayor of the Sunset Strip," "Kissing Jessica Stein," "George Washington," "The Cruise," and "Dead Man," and hosting talents such as Jennifer Aniston, Alec Baldwin, Alfonso Cuarón, Benicio Del Toro, Jodie Foster, Heather Graham, Jake Gyllenhaal, Daryl Hannah, Holly Hunter, Catherine Keener, William H. Macy, Ewan McGregor, Sidney Poitier, John C.
Reilly, Mark Ruffalo, Bryan Singer, and Forest Whitaker. Last year a total of 206 films including 72 features representing 32 countries screened at the festival.

IFP/Los Angeles, a nonprofit membership organization, champions the cause of independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision.

IFP/LA provides its members with professional advice, educational programs, affordable camera and equipment rentals, and discounts to hundreds of industry-related businesses. IFP/LA's Filmmaker

Labs offer writers, directors, and producers the opportunity to develop their projects. IFP/LA's mentorship and job placement program, Project:Involve, pairs filmmakers from culturally diverse communities with film industry professionals. IFP/Los Angeles also produces the IFP
Independent Spirit Awards and the Los Angeles Film Festival, celebrating the best of American and international independent cinema. With more than 6,000 members, IFP/Los Angeles is Southern California's largest non-profit organization for independent filmmakers.

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