Hollywood Film Festival goes global in "two-way street"

The Hollywood Film Festival (HFF) wrapped up its annual events Tuesday night after a week of screenings, symposia, activities and a 'Welcome to Hollywood' reception for its top ten Jury-Winning filmmakers.

It culminated with its U.S.-China Television and Film Innovation Summit, focusing on opportunities of co-production and innovation between the U.S. and China, which was co-hosted by the U.S.-based International Cultural Collaborative.

Under new management, the HFF is ambitiously rebranding itself as the gateway to Hollywood for talented filmmakers from all over the world.

Brad Parks, the HFF's Chairman, told Xinhua, "Our mission is to build an inspiring, inclusive, and international legacy for Hollywood."

He added, "We're committed to helping industry leaders, artists and audiences help Hollywood better identify, celebrate and promote the very best of today's most inspiring films and tomorrow's exceptional emerging artists."

Toward that end, HFF introduced the Hollywood Global Grand Jury Competition, chaired by film director-producer, Julia Pierrepont III. And HFF partnered with the leading film organizations in 50 countries and regions around the globe to invite the very best submissions from each country.

Said Parks, "It's a two-way street. Hollywood needs better films and the world's top emerging artists need access to Hollywood. That's where we come in."

As the only film festival in the world that actively assists its winners to gain access to and navigate the high stakes, corridors of power of the Hollywood insider after the festival is over, HFF is committed to helping their emerging artists to avoid the common pitfalls that can stall or derail a promising career before it gets started.

HFF COO, Doug Campbell, told Xinhua, "We're really committed to helping filmmakers well after the festival has past. Brad's one of the first guys they call when they need advice."

Said Choice Skinner, last years festival winner, "These guys are legit. They changed my life and helped me launch my career."

The top ten Global Jury Finalists announced Tuesday included products from ten different countries and regions, among which China's "Dying to Survive" received the Hollywood Silver Screen Prize.

France's "Montparnasse Bienvenue" and Brazil's "Legalize It" won the Special Jury Recognition Prizes, while the top Prize, the Best Hollywood Feature Film Prize went to Kazakhstan's "Paris Song."

David Knott, HFF's high-powered, new CEO told Xinhua, "The Hollywood Film Festival will soon be a brand to be reckoned with. We are taking it global."