7 Reasons to Check Out the Alumni Film Fest

Say, isn’t it about time we had another film festival around here? Well, on April 27 and 28, get ready for the Alumni Film Fest, a two-day event at Isla Vista’s Magic Lantern theater featuring cinema that ranges from Hollywood hits to animated shorts and indie masterpieces. The hook? Every movie was written, directed, or in some way produced by UCSB alumni. Tickets are $2 for kids, $4 for adults, and $5 for families. Here’s why you should go:

1) Don’t Bank on Amerika: The fest kicks off at 7 p.m. Friday with this classic documentary that examines the energy and discontent surrounding the 1969 anti-war riots and the infamous burning of the Isla Vista Bank of America building.

2) Seen and Heard: At 8 p.m. Friday, UCSB student Allen Park presents his documentary on the history of music in Isla Vista, hitting everything from surf rock to punk to house parties.

3) Just Like the Son: Rising film star Morgan J. Freeman’s film is already winning over audiences at Sundance and other film fests, so see it here on Friday at 9:30 p.m. before it hits the big theaters.

4) Curious George: On Saturday at 2 p.m., this animated flick based on H.A. Rey’s books features a soundtrack by UCSB alum Jack Johnson. Did you know he majored in film?

5) A Series of Unfortunate Events: At 4 p.m., see Jim Carrey star in this adaptation of the popular children’s books, directed by alum Brad Silberling.

6) Don Hertzfeldt: At 6 p.m. Saturday, watch two animated films by sketch star Hertzfeldt, whose sensational, unique brand of cartoon creation made him a hit when he was still a sophomore at UCSB.

7) Out of Sight: Starting at 7:30 p.m., this finale was adapted by screenwriter alum Scott Frank from a novel by Elmore Leonard and stars George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez.