MISSION & OBJECTIVE
One ticket. No limits.
Celebrating its thirteenth year in 2023, The Loft Film Fest (located in beautiful Tucson, Arizona) is dedicated to showcasing the best independent, foreign and classic films, as well as celebrating the work of established and emerging directors, writers, producers and actors. The Loft Film Fest, through its eclectic and diverse programming, aims not only to expand the audience for cinema that challenges, inspires and entertains, but also to honor those artists whose talent and passion bring that cinema to life.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Described by Filmmaker Magazine as being “geared truly toward cinephiles of nearly every stripe,” and praised for its “phantasmagorical programming … and astute choice of guests,” The Loft Film Fest was created in 2010 as a showcase for the very best independent, foreign and classic cinema. For nine days in October, The Loft Film Fest provides an intimate and unique setting for film fans to experience hand-selected festival favorites from Cannes, Sundance, SXSW, etc., and to meet internationally-renowned artists from the world of independent cinema.
Special guests of The Loft Film Fest have included acclaimed filmmakers such as Carlos Reygadas, Alex Cox, Chris Eyre, Larry McMurtry, Charles Burnett, Don Coscarelli, The Zellner Brothers, Bobcat Goldthwait, Kirby Dick, Richard Kelly, and Allison Anders; celebrated actors including Bruce Dern, Griffin Dunne, Rosanna Arquette, Robert Carradine, Stacy Keach, Jon Lovitz, Udo Kier, Alfonso Arau, Illeana Douglas, Rita Moreno, Curtis Armstrong, Wes Studi, Lily Gladstone, Jaqueline Bisset, and Gary Farmer; and industry legends such as Roger Corman, recipient of the 2012 “Lofty Achievement Award.”
The Loft Film Fest, produced by the award-winning, non-profit Loft Cinema, is fiercely committed to continuing its tradition of bringing world-class film festival programming to Tucson, connecting audiences with artists and celebrating the unique spirit of independent cinema.
The Loft Film Fest is the only American festival member of the CICAE, the International Confederation of Art Houses. Founded in 1955, the CICAE is a network of 4,000 screens and 22 international film festivals that work to increase audience for excellent international independent films. The CICAE award is designed to bring attention to excellent films in order for them to be seen in art houses around the world. The CICAE award is given out at festivals including the Berlinale Forum and Panorama, the Sarajevo International Film Festival, the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight.
The Loft Film Fest also produces Loft Film Fest on the Road, a community-building program that takes unexpected films for free screenings in underserved and unserved rural areas, providing a unique cultural experience. The movies will travel across Southern Arizona in The Loft Solar Cinema, a cargo van outfitted with solar panels (donated by Technicians for Sustainability) to power a 20-foot inflatable screen and state-of-the-art mobile projection system.
ORGANIZERS
JJ Giddings (Festival Co-Director ) ; Jeff Yanc (Festival Co-Director) ; Ernie Quiroz (Festival Co-Director); Mike Plante (Programming Consultant) ; Zach Breneman (Managing Director); Peggy Johnson (Executive Director)
Lofty Achievement Award
Audience Award for Short Films
CICAE Art Cinema Award (Juried)
