Fall is festival season on Catalina Island with events for nearly every interest – from art to wine.
Many of these events have storied histories dating back, in some instances for more than half a century. Other events are newer, but have quickly put Catalina Island on the national stage. The Catalina Film Festival has become a four-day celebration of film that brings more than 90 films to the island along with filmmaker Q & A sessions, networking and celebrity spotting.
The festival takes advantage of Catalina’s spectacular location as well as its history as backlot and playground for Hollywood’s elite. Venues include the Avalon Theatre in the spectacular Catalina Casino building.
Benefitting the Catalina Island Conservancy, the festival makes time to honor filmmakers who impact the environment. This year, Kristen Davis, best known as Charlotte from Sex and the City, will receive the ISLA Earth Award and will also screen her new film Gardeners of Eden, which chronicles efforts to end ivory poaching in Africa.
The Catalina Film Festival is open to the public, with tickets available to select screenings, special galas as well as festival passes. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the festival’s website.