The annual Coronado Island Film Festival (CIFF) is returning for its 9th year, and it’ll commence as always with the Taste of the Festival Kick-Off Bash before film festivities begin on Nov. 6.
The night will be a celebration of all forms of art, most importantly the 120-plus films that will be shown, but also art in the form of signature dishes from 15 local restaurants and special cocktails from seven beverage vendors.
Carolyn Ayres has chaired the kick-off bash since the beginning, having been an original board member since 2012 when the festival still existed just in the minds of Coronado’s creatives.
Ayres says film is something that works for everyone. “Whether you’re a toddler or, you know, at the end of your life – every stage of life … film is an unusual art because it’s so good for everyone.
“…Not everyone is captivated by paintings or theater or certain books, but I think absolutely everyone has been to a movie,” she adds.
Ayres also loves the relationships this event builds, and says it makes her overjoyed to see other people enjoying the night.
I think looking at all the happy faces (is my favorite), because I can truthfully say everyone comes together in a town like Coronado, and they just look so happy with the music playing and all of these wonderful little bites of food and the smell and the camaraderie.
Carolyn Ayres
“I think looking at all the happy faces (is my favorite), because I can truthfully say everyone comes together in a town like Coronado, and they just look so happy with the music playing and all of these wonderful little bites of food and the smell and the camaraderie,” Ayres says.
The Taste–
The kick-off bash will feature pizza from Garage Buona Forchetta, a culinary display by the Loews Coronado Bay Resort’s executive chef and 13 other samples showcasing Coronado’s rich dining scene.
To complement that dining experience, there will also be a spirits garden with new and returning libation sponsors including Local Motion, Lalo Tequila and Purity Cocktails.
Purity will debut a themed cocktail, paying homage to “The Wizard of Oz,” which will close the festival at the Hotel del Coronado in celebration of the film’s 85th anniversary.
–of the Fest
This year’s festival will be diverse and curated, with films from high school students and emerging local San Diego filmmakers, as well as from bigger companies like Amazon MGM Studios and Searchlight Pictures.
Some films to expect at this year’s festival include the opening night feature, “Unstoppable,” from Amazon MGM Studios, a sports drama starring Jharrel Jerome, Jennifer Lopez, Don Cheadle and Bobby Cannavale that follows the story of a college wrestler who – despite having one leg – dreams of going pro; “Flow,” an animated adventure fantasy that was selected as the Latvian entry for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards; and, as a nod to Veterans Day on Nov. 11, “Rohna Classified,” a WWII documentary that uncovers classified documents confirming that the large number of casualties in a secret attack was due to non-functioning lifeboats and inadequate lifebelts worn by the soldiers.
CIFF will also host its annual ShortsFest at the Hotel del Coronado this year, featuring 12 creative, provocative and entertaining shorts from local and emerging filmmakers.
“I just can’t ever give enough credit to other people,” says Ayres. “The volunteers and the people that come from far and wide to be part of this Coronado Film Festival – (it) just gives me great pride.”
Tickets are $65 and can be purchased for the Taste of the Fest here: https://www.goelevent.com/CIFF/e/2024TasteoftheFestivalKickoffBash
Information about the Coronado Island Film Festival can be found here: https://festival.coronadofilmfest.com/tickets/
