For decades, Catalina Island was both playground and backlot for Hollywood. The island’s rugged terrain and picturesque seascapes have stood in for locations around the world – Catalina has been part of movies as diverse as Jaws and Mutiny on the Bounty, The Glass Bottom Boat and The Hunt for Red October and Chinatown and Waterworld. While Catalina Island’s diverse backgrounds and environments are a jackpot for location scouts, the island itself has long be a getaway for Hollywood’s elite. John Wayne, Nic Cage and Charlie Chaplin are just a few of the stars who have found an ideal escape on the island.
With that rich and varied Hollywood history it was just a matter of time before Catalina Island became home to a prestigious film festival and the Catalina Island Film Festival certainly fits that bill. Featuring dozens of feature length and documentary films as well as shorts and student submissions, the Catalina Film Festival showcases both established and amateur film makers. Films are shown in a variety of venues, including the Casino Theatre, and industry events include networking, galas and workshops.
The Catalina Film Festival is scheduled for Sept. 28 to Oct. 2. For more information, visit the festival website.