Get your tickets today for the annual Coronado Island Film Festival on January 15-18 – before they run out!
The Coronado Island Film Festival (CIFF) welcomes makers and lovers of film everywhere to join them, and the entire community of Coronado, in this unique historic seaside village, and promise you a winter holiday weekend to remember.
The legendary hospitality, award-winning beaches, perfect weather, proximity to Hollywood and, of course, the world-famous Hotel del Coronado, CIFF’s presenting sponsor, have made this a favorite go-to spot for Hollywood royalty since the days when the likes of Frank Capra, Mary Pickford and Charlie Chaplin strolled the Avenue. That same avenue, with its specialty shops, blooming gardens and alfresco dining, has recently been named one of the five “Most Romantic Main Streets” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Coronado and “The Del” have provided the perfect location for shooting a film since the art form’s early beginnings, becoming an integral part of Coronado’s rich history. It’s an enduring love affair that began a hundred years ago and continues to this day. Venerable oldies such as Clark Gable’s Hell Divers and James Cagney’s Devil Dogs of the Air, two of several that highlighted Coronado’s glamorous days of early Naval aviation, were filmed here. Scenes from the compelling 2011 Act of Valor were shot in Coronado, home of our good neighbors, the US Navy SEALs.
Errol Flynn’s 1939 Dive Bomber, featuring scenes of the Del and Coronado’s Naval Air Station North Island, will be screened at the festival and introduced by his daughter Rory Flynn. You’ll also enjoy the timeless classic Some Like it Hot, to be introduced by Jack Lemmon’s son, Chris Lemmon, and the quirky and brilliant The Stunt Man, which will be introduced by its Academy-Award-nominated director Richard Rush.
Bring your walking shoes, because most of our venues are an easy walk from one another. For the less ambitious pass holders, there will be a free trolley named “Felicity” looping the island.
You can count on four jam-packed days of fun, including the latest in filmmaking excellence from filmmakers of every level of their craft, from emerging newcomers to seasoned pros. In addition to a dazzling lineup of festival parties and lively panel discussions with industry veterans such as the Honorary Jury President Leonard Maltin, actor/author Chris Lemmon, son of Jack, will give two live performances of his hit one-man musical show, A Twist of Lemmon, in the role of his father. They are also planning a special salute to honor the extraordinary life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on his namesake holiday weekend. A special Celebrity Tribute will recognize favorite film legends, whose contribution to the world of film has inspired us, amazed us, and touched our hearts in so many ways.
Every film submitted to our festival is viewed in its entirety and evaluated against a list of criteria by a qualified team of screeners comprised of respected industry pros and veteran film aficionados. Their evaluation scores are then sent to the festival directors, who review the top scoring entries to determine which films will be accepted into the festival. Once accepted, films are reviewed by the head jurors and their teams in order to select the award winners. Student films are judged separately.
