Photo Source: Focus Features
"Seeking a Friend for the End of the World"
Writer Lorene Scafaria makes her directorial debut with a who's who that includes Steve Carell, Keira Knightley, Connie Britton, Patton Oswalt, and Rob Corddry. Facing an asteroid hurtling to earth, Carell putters around his apartment calmly until his next-door neighbor convinces him that this is his chance to live before everyone dies.
"Breakfast With Curtis"
Filmed in Laura Colella's actual home, this film (which Colella wrote, directed, produced, and appears in) stars her friends and neighbors in a story of a balmy summer during which an unlikely friendship blossoms between a group of wine-sipping, pot-smoking bohemians and a shy teenage boy.
"Celeste and Jesse Forever"
(Sony Picture Classics)
Actors Rashida Jones ("Parks and Recreation") and Will McCormack ("Brothers & Sisters") co-wrote this romantic comedy about a couple, played by Jones and Andy Samberg, who try to stay friends during and after their divorce. Eagerly anticipated, with a supporting cast that includes McCormack, Ari Graynor, Chris Messina, and Elijah Wood, the film will have a limited release Aug. 3.
"Four"
Written and directed by Joshua Sanchez, "Four" is the feature film adaptation of Christopher Shinn's play, about a father and a daughter fighting loneliness by reaching out for separate sexual connections during a steamy Fourth of July.
"An Oversimplification of Her Beauty"
A highly personal, multimedia film by and starring Terence Nance, "An Oversimplification of Her Beauty" documents the relationship between Nance and a woman as they decide whether to be friends or lovers.
"Gayby"
Writer-director Jonathan Lisecki has expanded his popular short film into this feature starring Jenn Harris and Matthew Wilkas as best friends who decide to have a baby -- even though he's gay. Complications and comedy ensue after they agree to conceive the old-fashioned way.
"Red Flag"
A hardworking actor (he appears in "Gayby" and on HBO's "Girls"), Alex Karpovsky writes, directs, and produces meta-comedy "Red Flag." Karpovsky stars as narcissistic indie filmmaker Alex Karpovsky, who embarks on a road trip with a friend, traveling the country and screening his film while running away from overzealous fans and various humiliations that dog his heels.
"Middle of Nowhere"
(AFFRM)
Writer-director Ava DuVernay's second film tells the story of a wife struggling to maintain a marriage after her husband is sentenced to eight years in prison. When it screened at this year's Sundance fest, "Middle of Nowhere" won DuVernay best director, making her the first African-American woman to do so.
"It's a Disaster"
(Eagle Films)
The apocalypse turns out to be a hot film topic in 2012. In addition to "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World," writer-director-actor Todd Berger's "It's a Disaster" proves that not even the total destruction of the planet can halt the navel gazing of Angelenos at brunch. What are a few dead bodies lying around when cell phones no longer work? The cast includes David Cross, Julia Stiles, and America Ferrera.
"Magic Mike"
(Warner Bro Pictures)
Closing out the festival is easily the summer's hottest movie: "Magic Mike." Based on star Channing Tatum's pre-fame stint as a male stripper, "Magic Mike" features some of Hollywood's hottest hunks, from Matthew McConaughey to Matt Bomer, stripping down for director Steven Soderbergh.
For the full schedule of films and events, visit www.lafilmfest.com.
