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create, innovate, empower FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Cinequest Film Festival 2016 (CQFF2016) Festival Highlights

Storytelling Reimagined Conclave, First Three-screen Feature, Maverick Spirit

Winners James Franco and Rita Moreno, plus Superlative Premieres Highlight

Cinequest Film Festival (CQFF), March 1-13, 2016 will unite 700 world leading artists and

innovators with audiences (expected to top 100,000) in the Silicon Valley to experience the fusion

of creativity and innovation—and to celebrate and reimagine storytelling via film and new

technologies.

Cinequest’s Future Of Film Showcase reimagines storytelling and audience experiences of

filmed media. Cinequest has always stood at the forefront of film’s future possibilities,

discovering technology and talent and enabling them to connect, both collaboratively and

with audiences. Here’s this year’s take on what’s hot today and driving the future:

o The First Barco Escape Three-Screen Feature Film: Technology has always

facilitated the film arts, and Barco Escape technologies new three-screen format

brings a thrilling new cinematic experience to audiences and a dramatic opportunity

to film artists. Cinequest presents the first fully realized (end-to-end) three-screen

feature film, Mr. Invincible. Starring Alyson Stoner (Cheaper By The Dozen, Step

Up), Bill Engvall (Blue Collar Comedy Group), and written by Cinequest Screenplay

Competition Winner Stacie Shellner, Mr. Invincible, a comedy about a man who

cannot kill himself, plays as a work-in-progress. Cinequest has also commissioned

members of its illustrious filmmaker community to create diverse short film

experiences in three-screen format. These short films and more will play in the

future of film Barco Escape series.

o Storytelling Reimagined Conclave: Global Leaders (representing diverse media,

art, and technology fields) join Cinequest’s Leadership Council for an electrifying

event around story-telling opportunities in new and exciting media. It used to be

that story-telling was relegated to “the creatives.” Now filmed story-telling is a

normal part of people’s lives from social media to executive communications.

Further, new technologies, such as virtual reality, open new ways for audiences to

experience stories and for artists to tell them. Conclave event will include a

moderated conversation with a thrilling roundtable of leaders, video presentations,

and a Maverick Spirit Award presentation to a futuristic and dynamic story-teller,

James Franco. The Conclave will give leaders a chance to cross-pollinate and grow

their ideas with a stunning group of thought influencers from different walks of life,

forging inspiration, collaborations and opportunity for our future.

o Virtual Reality Experience: CQFF will unveil a ground-breaking Virtual Reality

experience. Venturing into the “Virtual Reality Lounge,” Cinequest attendees will

Contact: Jessica Gelico Tel: (408) 995-5033 ext. 128

E-mail: publicity@cinequest.org

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once again be on the cutting edge of a new, viable technology that reimagines the

story-telling tradition.

Opening Night Screening and Celebration: March 1, 7:15 pm, California Theatre: Academy

Award-winning director Gavin Hood (Tsotsi) will present his captivating new thriller Eye in

the Sky, starring Dame Helen Mirren (The Queen, Trumbo), Alan Rickman (Harry Potter,

Die Hard), Iain Glen (Game of Thrones, Downton Abbey),Barkhad Abdi (Captain Phillips),

and Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad). Is the life of one innocent worth the lives of thousands?

Colonel Katherine Powell (Mirren) is in charge of a top-secret mission: to capture, not kill,

a terrorist. Pre-screening includes special presentations and Jerry Nagano filling the lavish

California Theatre with the glorious sounds of the Wurlitzer organ. Post-screening

festivities and fun will take place at The Farmers Union.

"Cinequest is definitely the first time I've ever come to a festival where

my immediate reaction is, 'What do I have to do to be invited back?'

It's a perfect film festival in a glorious place." - Neil Gaiman, Maverick

Spirit Award Winner

Maverick Spirit Award Events: Cinequest’s most prestigious accolade, the Maverick Spirit

Award recognizes bold, visionary, and creative forces—the finest in the worlds of Silicon

Valley innovation and the film arts. Previous guest recipients include: J.J. Abrams, Kevin

Spacey, Rosario Dawson, Harrison Ford, William H. Macy, Gus Van Sant, Spike Lee,

Jennifer Jason Leigh, Sir Ian McKellen, Neil Gaiman, Alec Baldwin, and Sir Ben Kingsley.

Please watch the Cinequest Maverick Spirit Award video to see past recipients in action.

This year’s recipients are:

o Actor-writer-educator, James Franco. Mr. Franco has amassed well over 100

acting credits, including 127 Hours, (Best Actor Academy Award nomination), Milk,

Spider-Man Trilogy, Pineapple Express, Oz the Great and Powerful, Rise of the

Planet of the Apes, and Eat, Pray, Love. He is also an accomplished writer and

committed to giving back as an educator of emerging youth. (Special Pre-festival

event, Feb. 28, in conjunction with Cinequest’s Storytelling Reimagined Conclave.

Event details TBA.)

o Screen and American Icon, Rita Moreno. Star of the Robert Wise masterwork,

West Side Story, Ms. Moreno has received America’s highest civilian honor, the

Medal of Freedom, as well as a stunning Kennedy Center Tribute. (A conversation

with Ms. Moreno and Award Presentation occur after the world premiere of her new

comedic gem, Remember Me Saturday, March 5, 7 pm, California Theatre.)

o Champion-advocate, Robert Hawk. For over thirty years, Hawk has discovered

new cinematic voices, nurtured those voices, and has been the unsung champion of

some of the most influential independent cinema. Kevin Smith (Clerks), Edward

Burns (The Brothers McMullen),Rob Epstein (The Times of Harvey Milk), and

Barbara Hammer (Nitrate Kisses) have had a major impact on the world of cinema.

Each and many others started their careers with a champion who never sought

praise or a spotlight. His only wish was to see these artists reach the world with

their work. That champion is Robert Hawk. (A conversation with Mr. Hawk and

Award Presentation occur after a screening of the movie Film Hawk, Friday, March

4, 7:30 pm, Camera 12 Cinemas.)

Media Legacy Award Event: Cinequest’s Media Legacy Award recognizes the preeminent

role journalists play in discovering artists and connecting audiences with their art.

o This year, Cinequest is honored to present its Media Legacy Award to beloved

journalist Owen Gleiberman (bbc.com, Entertainment Weekly) after a screening

of his favorite film, Manhunter, occurring Saturday, March 12, 7:00pm, Hammer

Theatre Center, during CQFF2016. The event will include a dynamic conversation

with Mr. Glerberman on his work and the world of cinema.

o Previous media Legacy Award recipients include Eric Kohn and Anne Thompson of

Indiewire, Harry Knowles, founder of Ain’t It Cool News, Richard von Busack of

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Metro Newspapers, and Kenneth Turan of The Los Angeles Times. Please watch

Cinquest’s Media Legacy video.

Notable Premieres and Star Performances: Cinequest presents a superlative lineup of 129

World and U.S. premieres of which 64 have women directors. Please see the Cinequest

Premieres Press Release for full line-up with includes:

o Helen Mirren (The Queen, Trumbo), Alan Rickman (Harry Potter, Die Hard), Iain

Glen (Game of Thrones, Downton Abbey), Barkhad Abdi (Captain Phillips), and

Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) in Eye in the Sky (Opening Night)

o Geoffrey Rush (Shine), Ewen Leslie (Sleeping Beauty), Paul Schneider (Lars and the

Real Girl), Miranda Otto (The Lord of the Rings), Anna Torv (Fringe), Odessa Young

(Wonderland), and Sam Neill (Jurassic Park) in The Daughter (Closing Night)

o Alyson Stoner (Step Up), Bill Engvall (The Bill Engvall Show) in Mr. Invincible

o Kevin Smith (Clerks), Edward Burns (The Brothers McMullen), Ira Sachs (Love Is

Strange), and Rob Epstein (Howl) in Film Hawk

o Rita Moreno (West Side Story) in Remember Me

o Gordon Getty (Composer and Subject) in Gordon Getty: There Will Be Music

o Clea Duvall (Argo, American Horror Story) in Heaven’s Floor

o Emma Watson (Harry Potter, The Perks Of Being A Wallflower) and Daniel Bruhl

(Inglourious Basterds, Rush) in Colonia

o Jason Ritter (Parenthood) in Embers

o Kiernan Shipka (Mad Men), Emma Roberts (American Horror Story), and Lucy

Boynton (Miss Potter) in February

o Annette O’Toole (Smallville) and John Glover (The Good Wife) in We Go On

o Comedians Dana Carvey, Bob Saget, Paula Poundstone, Ellen DeGeneres, Bobcat

Goldthwait, Bill Maher, and Robin Williams in The Comedy Club

o Sally Field (Forrest Gump), Max Greenfield (New Girl) and Michael Showalter (Wet

Hot American Summer) in Hello, My Name Is Doris

o Daphne Zuniga (Spaceballs), Joely Fisher (Ellen), Michelle Hurd (90210), Natasha

Gregson Wagner (Two Girls and a Guy), Nick Court (The Last Ship), Barry Watson

(7th Heaven), Jonathan Slavin (Better Off Ted), Devon Graye (Dexter), and singing

legend Connie Stevens in Search Engines

o Grant Rosenmeyer (The Royal Tenenbaums) and Lindsey Shaw (Pretty Little Liars)

in Temps

o Aly Michalka (iZombie), AJ Michalka (The Goldbergs), and Mimi Rogers (Austin

Powers) in Weepah Way for Now

o James Franco (127 Hours), Ed Harris (Pollack), Amber Heard (The Danish Girl), Jim

Parrack (True Blood), Cynthia Nixon (Sex and the City), and Christian Slater (Mr.

Robot) in The Adderall Diaries

o Matthew Modine (Full Metal Jacket, Fluke) producer on The Brainwashing of My Dad

o Penelope Cruz (Volver) in Ma Ma

o Christopher Walken (The Deer Hunter, Hairspray) and Amber Heard (The Danish

Girl, Hidden Palms) in One More Time

o Terence Davies (The Deep Blue Sea, The House of Mirth) director of Sunset Song

o Briana Evigan (Step Up 2: The Streets), Tyler Blackburn (Pretty Little Liars), Emily

Osment (Cyberbully), Kyla Kennedy (The Walking Dead), Ana Ortiz (Ugly Betty),

Elisabeth Röhm (The Client List), and Jeremy Sisto (Suburgatory) in Love Is All You

Need?

o Jeff Bridges (The Big Lebowski), Rachel McAdams (Spotlight), Paul Rudd (Ant-Man),

Marion Cotillard (Inception), James Franco (127 Hours), Ricky Gervais (The Office),

Paul Giamatti (Straight Outta Compton), Bud Cort (Pollack), Benicio Del Toro

(Guardians of the Galaxy), and Albert Brooks (Finding Nemo) in The Little Prince

o Briana Evigan (Step Up 2: The Streets) and Kerry Norton (Battlestar Galactica) in

ToY

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Closing Night Screening and Celebration: March 13, 6:00 pm, California Theatre:

CQFF2016 culminates with the United States Premiere of Simon Stone’s beautiful and

haunting The Daughter, which boasts an incredible ensemble cast including Academy

Award winner Geoffrey Rush (Shine), Ewen Leslie (Sleeping Beauty), Paul Schneider (Lars

and the Real Girl), Miranda Otto (The Lord of the Rings), Anna Torv (Fringe), Odessa

Young (Wonderland), and Sam Neill (Jurassic Park).

For more on Cinequest’s story, please watch This Is Cinequest video.

Cinequest Film Festival 2016 occurs March 1 – 13, 2016 in San Jose/Silicon Valley. About Cinequest A vanguard organization set in the Silicon Valley, Cinequest’s uniqueness and impact result from being ahead of the curve in the powerful integration of creativity and technology. Cinequest fuses the world of the filmed arts with that of Silicon Valley’s innovation to empower youth, artists, and innovators to create and connect - driving transformations and a better tomorrow. Cinequest does this through Cinequest Film

Festival, Picture The Possibilities, and its sister company Cinequest Mavericks Studio. (Voted Best Film Festival by USA Today Readers.) CQFF Partners: Applied Materials (NYSE: AMAT), City of San Jose, Barco (EBR:BAR), Kaiser Permanente, Harmonic (NYSE: HLIT), Synaptics (NYSE: SYNA), Canon (NYSE: CAJ), Panasonic (OTCMKTS:PCRFY), Cisco (NYSE: CSCO), Dolby (NYSE: DLB), Stella Artois (NYSE: AHBIF), Tito’s Handmade Vodka, , Google (NYSE:

GOOG), SIMEON Property Group, Inc. (NYSE: SPG), Essex Property Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ESS), Atomos, Macy’s (NYSE: M), Hint Water, PayPal (NYSE: PYPL), Sonic.net, Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA), Seagate (NYSE: STX), VTA, Agile Ticketing Solutions, NBC Bay Area, Metro, 94.5 KBAY, Mix 106.5, Fairmont San Jose (NYSE: FHR), Hyatt Place San Jose (NYSE: H), Hilton San Jose (NYSE: HLT), Marriott San Jose (NYSE: MAR), Hotel De Anza, Camera 12 Cinemas, and San Jose State University. Picture The Possibilities Partners: Kaiser Permanente, The Hearst Foundations, John S. and James L.

Knight Foundation, The David & Lucile Packard Foundation, Morrison & Foerster Foundation, Capital Group, Hewlett Packard Workstations (NYSE: HPQ), Brett Company, AT&T (T) Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), Google (NYSE: GOOG), Liquid Agency, Seagate (NYSE: STX), Litepanels, Cisco (NYSC: CSCO),

AudioTechnica, Media Center, Adobe (NYSE: ADBE), Eddie Lira, GlideCam, Atomos, CreaTV, Rhino Camera Gear, Manfrotto, Red Giant (NYSE: REDG)

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