Best Western Plus Big Bear Chateau Welcomes the Big Bear Lake International Film Festival and the Big Bear Film Society
Big Bear – Organizers at the Big Bear Lake International Film Festival (BBLIFF) announce the Best Western Plus Big Bear Chateau as this year’s Headquarter Hotel. While films in competition during the festival will still be screened at the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center and Village Theaters, the Chateau will now be the site of film industry panels, seminars and networking events during the September festival, and monthly Film Society screenings year-round.
The Big Bear Film Society is a new venture for BBLIFF. Each month until the Film Festival in September, the Film Society will screen an independent film and allow attendees to meet the filmmakers, ask questions, and learn how the film was made. All screenings are for Film Society members and those interested in watching indie films at the Best Western Plus Chateau. Purchase the series at www.bigbearlakefilmfestival.com, attend on a film-by-film basis, or purchase your Film Festival tickets now with the Film Society privileges included.
Film Society screening dates at the Chateau (subject to change):
- April 30, 2011 7:00 pm – Limbo Lounge with Writer/Director Tom Pankratz
- May 14, 2011 7:00 pm – Jackson with Director Jonathan Lawton
- June 11, 2011 7:00 pm – Ivory with Director Andrew Chan
- July 16, 2011 7:00 pm – Film To Be Announced
- August 13, 2011 7:00 pm – Earthworks with Director Chris Ordal
- September 15-18, 2011 – Big Bear Lake International Film Festival
“Limbo Lounge” was an official entrant in the 2010 Big Bear Film Festival. In this dark comedy, charming conman Silas dies from an accident and is forced to spend time in Limbo. He encounters an old flame, the temptress Anya, who offers Silas a fast track through the upper management of Hell. But to earn his horns, he must first corrupt Jules, an innocent young copywriter climbing the corporate advertising ladder back on Earth. Taking well-aimed shots at corporate ladder-climbing and the fragility of friendship and loyalty, the film asks the question how low will people go to get what they want.
Writer/Director Tom Pankratz comments, “In embarking on my first feature film, I wanted to create a story that invoked the spirit of Rod Serling’s The Twilight Zone — telling a fantastical story that is rooted in reality and human emotions. Hopefully, “Limbo Lounge” has achieved that goal. While its incredibly hard to make a feature film with limited resources, its also incredibly inspiring and humbling to see how so many talented people came together in support of the film. As we are about to serve our our cinematic cocktail to the world, hopefully audiences will enjoy our mix of humor, drama, fantasy and whimsy because in the end…. It’s all about storytelling.”
About being added as an important festival venue, Hotel Manager Sean Oh said, “All of us here at The Best Western Plus Big Bear Chateau in beautiful Big Bear Lake would like to extend a warm welcome to all of the filmmakers, actors, celebrities and volunteers that make this wonderful Annual Film Festival happen. We are thrilled to be the Host Headquarter Hotel this year for the Big Bear Lake International Film Festival”.
The Big Bear Chateau offers well-appointed guest rooms complete with a fireplace, pillow top mattresses, cable satellite television with Showtime and high-speed Internet access, as well as an array of amenities including a seasonal outdoor heated swimming pool and hot tub, game room, fitness center, full business services and meeting/banquet facilities.
Guests have convenient access to outdoor activities such as hiking, golf, horseback riding, snowmobiling, fishing, sailing, wake boarding and waterskiing on Big Bear Lake. Make a reservation today, and request the BBLIFF corporate rate for savings!
SPECIAL ROOM RATES FOR FESTIVAL ATTENDEES:
Thursday, September 15 or Sunday, September 18, 2011, Standard: $79.99 / Standard with Balcony: $89.99
Friday – Saturday, September 16 – 17, 2011, Standard: $89.99 / Standard with Balcony: $99.99
The Best Western Big Bear Chateau
42200 Moonridge Road,
Big Bear Lake, California, 92315-1814
Toll Free Reservations: 800-232-7466
Phone: 909/866-6666
Fax: 909/866-8988
The Big Bear Lake International Film Festival attracts an average of 5,000 attendees to its scenic location yearly and will be celebrating its 12th anniversary at this year’s event: September 15th – 18th, 2011. Tickets can be purchased at bigbearlakefilmfestival.com; at the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center Box Office (39707 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake, CA 92315); or by phone: 909-866-4970. For more information about the festival, call 909-866-3433 or email info@bigbearlakefilmfestival.com.