Hollywood is coming to the Santa Ynez Valley, and the big screen is coming to the Little Theater. The inaugural Little Film Fest runs Thursday, Oct. 22, through Sunday, Oct. 25 at the Little Theater at Santa Ynez High School.
It brings together eight screenings, seven feature films, plus a two-episode “Ted Lasso” event, each paired with a live conversation with the actors, writers and filmmakers who made them.
The festival’s guest list includes songwriter Bernie Taupin, Elton John’s longtime collaborator, who will appear with Rocketman on the festival’s closing night.
Other guests are actress Denise Richards (“Drop Dead Gorgeous”), actress Katie Cassidy (“A Nightmare on Elm Street”), actor John Corbett (“My Big Fat Greek Wedding”), and “Pitch Perfect” creator Kay Cannon.
Screenwriters Kat Likkel and John Hoberg will discuss Pixar’s “Elemental.” Former White Sox first-round draft pick turned filmmaker Gardner Grady Hall will present his baseball film “Winter Ball.”
On Saturday evening, Ted Lasso show runner Jack Burditt leads a panel of the show’s writers and cast, including Brendan Hunt (Coach Beard), Leann Bowen, Bill Wrubel and Phoebe Walsh, following a two-episode screening.
Conversations will be moderated by Shaun Cassidy, Deadline Hollywood and Entertainment Weekly editor Lynette Rice, and Keith Saarloos, host of the Chopping It Up in the SY Valley podcast.
Several events are free to the public, including Saturday’s noon screening of “Winter Ball.” On Sunday, Oct. 25, the festival hosts three free workshops led by working Hollywood professionals:
• 11 a.m.: Acting Like a Pro
• 12 p.m.: Screenwriters Workshop with television writers Katie O’Brien and Kate Lambert
• 1 p.m.: Understanding the Casting Process with casting directors Krisha Bullock (iCarly, Victorious), Bonnie Zane (Suits, Pretty Little Liars), Felicia Fasano (Better Things, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) and Ron Mare (Netflix)
• Restoring the Valley’s stage
All festival proceeds go toward renovating the Little Theater, the only indoor performance space of its kind in the Santa Ynez Valley.
For decades, it has served students and local arts groups, including Arts Outreach and Santa Ynez Valley Performing Arts Company.
Years of deferred maintenance have taken their toll. While the school district addresses the roof, stage floor and electrical system, Friends of the Little Theater is raising funds for new lighting, sound, seating, a state-of-the-art projection system, and lobby and dressing room improvements.
The upgrades would let the school create career pathways in directing, sound design, lighting design and theatrical production. They could also bring first-run movies back to a valley that lost its only movie theater when the Buellton cinema closed.
When the renovation is complete, Academy Award–winning actress and Valley resident Shirley Jones will display a collection of her personal memorabilia in the theater lobby.
It includes an original Oklahoma! poster, an original costume from The Music Man, and a signed photograph commemorating her Oscar win.