Coronado Island Film Festival (CIFF) returns for its fourth year, bringing with it a variety of films, panels, parties and workshops for attendees to enjoy from November 8-11. The opening night party “Taste of the Festival” allowed attendees to feast on local fare from 16 local restaurants while enjoying the music of “In Midlife Crisis.” Coronado Brewing Company offered a selection of local craft beer for attendees to enjoy while Blue Bridge Hospitality Chef Antonio Gonzales created the CIFF signature cocktail, “A Day in Paradise,” featuring tropical and tart flavors for all to enjoy.
The gathering offered the CIFF Committee a chance to welcome all the filmmakers, industry attendees, filmgoers, and local community special guests. Blair King, Coronado’s City Manager, congratulated the participants for selection into this year’s film festival and celebrated the City of Coronado’s love of the arts.
Later, CIFF Artistic Director Andy Friedenberg spoke to the crowd saying, “To launch a film festival truly takes a village, and we are blessed to have the village of Coronado behind us in this world class event situated in a world class setting. My role has been to search the globe to seek out good stories – well-told on film – and over the next four days that is exactly what we will be presenting.”
CIFF offered a free trolley to take folks to and from the opening night party to the first two opening night films, Marriage Story and The Etruscan Smile.
Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey provided a welcome address in the Film Festival program. “Coronado’s heritage with filmmaking goes back more than a century, with hundreds of movie stars, directors and industry leaders finding their way to Coronado, some to make movies, some to vacation and some like Anita Page and Johnny Downs, to live.” said Bailey in his welcome letter. “Film- and the arts- are important facets to life in Coronado. The Coronado Cultural Arts Commission’s leadership has filled our town with rich experiences in visual performing, literary and public art.”
For a full listing of events and more information about the Coronado Island Film Festival visit their website.
