Catalina Film Festival Takes Over Hollywood’s Island, Sept. 27-Oct. 1: 100+ Films, Annual Film & New Media Summit with New “Lion’s Den” Live Filmmaker Investor Pitch, Industry Tributes, and More

Honorees, Attendees Include 91-Year-Old Trailblazer, Marcia Nasatir (Breaking the Glass Ceiling Award), Jordan Vogt-Roberts, Matt McGorry, Theodore Melfi, Wyatt Oleff, and More

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The 7^th annual Catalina Film Festival (CFF) takes over Catalina Island Wednesday, Sept. 27 - Sunday, Oct. 1. The film and television industry, acclaimed and aspiring filmmakers, and Hollywood powerhouses converge on the West Coast’s only resort island as it plays host to the competitive fest and film market featuring 110 films from 23 countries, including premieres at the famed Art Deco Avalon Theatre.

Catalina Film Festival 2017 honorees and attendees include: Producer Marcia Nasatir (The Big Chill, Rocky, Carrie, Apocalypse Now) who will be receive the inaugural Breaking the Glass Ceiling Award. The first female Vice President of Production at a major studio, Nasatir is the subject of the documentary on her career, A Classy Broad. Actor and activist, Matt McGorry (Orange is the New Black) will receive the Maverick Award. Wyatt Oleff, the 14-year-old actor known for IT and Guardians of the Galaxy, will receive the Crest Acting Award; director Theodore Melfi (Hidden Figures) will attend with The Black Ghiandola, a Make-a-Film Foundation project that fulfilled the dream of 16-year-old Anthony Conti, featuring Johnny Depp and Laura Dern; and Jordan Vogt-Roberts (Kong: Skull Island) will receive the Crest Director’s Award.

Past CFF honorees include Nicolas Cage, William H. Macy, Andy Garcia, Sharon Stone, Jon Favreau, Emmy Rossum, Mena Suvari, F. Gary Gray, and Stan Lee.

FILM AND NEW MEDIA SUMMIT HIGHLIGHTS: Geoff Boucher (LA Times, E!); screenwriter Jim V. Hart (Hook); Lion’s Den accredited investors Ryan Hodson, principal at Kodiak Capital and Sway Ventures, and Carl Cafaro, The Cafaro Group; blockbuster casting directors, Carol Grant (Wedding Crashers) and Michelle Lewitt (Transformers), to name a few.

Complete list of films, events and attendees: www.CatalinaFilm.org. PRESS IMAGES

About Catalina Film Festival

Catalina Film Festival is an annual celebration of film on the West Coast’s only resort island, 26 miles from Los Angeles. Supported by Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce, CFF benefits the Catalina Island Conservatory. Sponsors: Panasonic, IEX Helicopters, Catalina Express, Island Spa Catalina, ALS Limo and Car Service, Catalina Flyer, The Cafaro Group. www.CatalinaFilm.org