The second annual Santa Clarita International Film Festival (SCIFF) is set to bring art to life in the Santa Clarita Valley in December. 

Premiering for the first time last year, the SCIFF brought 1300 attendees, 175 films, 30 musical and comedic performances, and gallery and visual shows.

“That was absolutely outstanding. The quality of the film was incredible, and so was the quality of the way the presentation was made. The red carpet and the whole scene were outstanding. It kind of reminded me of Hollywood and the Academy Awards,” said council member Bill Miranda.

This year’s festival is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 8 to Sunday, Dec. 11. 

SCHIFF founder Lisa deSouza revealed that this year’s festivities will have a larger venue for the music and comedy performances. Slam poetry is also planned for inclusion. The Santa Clarita Artists Association will again collaborate with local galleries and visual artists to put on jaw-dropping exhibitions.

The film program is set to be located at the Laemmle Theater in Newhall and hosted by stand-up comedian Kermet Apio, renowned as the Great American Comedy Festival winner. And hosting the closing night and awards ceremony is the Emmy-award-winning journalist, Chris Schauble.  

The opening act for music at the music and comedy night is the Los Angeles blues group, Kelly’s Lot. While On Sacred Ground, a film directed by Joshua Tickell, and Rebecca Harrell Tickell, is set to be the opening night film for the festival. On Sacred Ground follows a journalist and an oil company executive on opposing sides of the conflict surrounding the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline’s planned route through the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North Dakota. 

“I can’t wait to open the Santa Clarita International Film Festival’s Music Festival. With solid folks on the team like my longtime friends Selina Thomas and Tracy Tabb, I know this will be a fantastic event that will be here for years to come.” Kelly Zirbes of Kelly’s Lot said. 

For the festival’s closing night, the Norwegian cult classic, Long Flat Balls III, directed by Harald Zwart, is scheduled to screen. The Norwegian director of multiple award-winning short films, commercials, and music videos will also be in attendance. He’s well-known for directing Long Night at McCools, Karate Kid (the remake), Pink Panther 2, and The Twelfth Man, among others.  

“I am thrilled to be a part of the Santa Clarita International Film Festival and to participate in a great festival for independent filmmakers to be heard and seen. I am also excited to be screening Long Flat Balls III – Broken Promises as part of the closing night festivities and to be speaking at the event,” said Harold. 

SCIFF places importance on fostering community and allowing film creatives to benefit from the festival’s proceeds. Therefore, filmmakers whose entries are accepted into the program, musicians, and comedians performing at the event will receive 25 percent of the revenue from the box office. Non-profit organizations collaborating with SC will also get 25 percent of the proceeds. 

For more information on the event click here.

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