It had a funky name, a fun mix of local, national and
international talent, and a loyal following.
The only thing Pomona's Smogdance Film Festival was missing
was a home.
But after 11 years, the event finally has a place to call
its den - the historic Fox Theater on Garey Avenue.
Photo Gallery: The
Fox Theater Opens
The theater, a National Historic Landmark, recently got
a $10 million overhaul and is now ready to be filled with
people, said Charlotte Cousins, the festival's director.
"Not only is this the first year for us in the Fox,
it's the first year for anything in the Fox for a very
long time," said Cousins of the festival, scheduled
to take place Friday through Sunday. "We want to
be here forever, and that's what the Fox wants, too."
The festival was started in 1998 by Dan Dobrin, a local
attorney and movie buff. Over the years, Smogdance was
held in several venues, including the last four years
at Harvey Mudd College.
Last year, the weekend festival drew 600 people, including
more than 250 for Saturday showings.
Movies include animated features, serious documentaries
and even a few movies made by from teenagers, Cousins
said. Some of the filmmakers come from Canada, and a few
from as far away as Australia.
"We want to reward people who do good work and give
them to chance to feel what its like to have their movie
shown," Cousins said.
One new element for this year's festival is a filmmakers'
question-and-answer session following the screenings at
the dA Center for the Arts, 252-D S. Main St. in Pomona.
"We get to have a little for coalescing around the
films, to promote dialogue," Cousins said.
The festival is also hosting Family Day on Sunday, where
films appropriate for children will be shown, Cousins
said.
ben.baeder@sgvn.com (626) 962-8811, Ext. 2230
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