This article is sponsored by Coronado Island Film Festival. It does not reflect the work or opinions of NBC San Diego’s editorial staff. To learn more about Coronado Island Film Festival, click here.
Forget schlepping through the snow at Sundance this year.
Instead, skip the cold and head to the Coronado Island Film Festival, where everything from Hollywood classics and award-winning shorts to thought-provoking documentaries and this season’s prestige pictures will be screened during a three-day weekend designed to thrill industry insiders and film lovers alike.
Taking place from January 15-18, this year’s lineup will be just as lovely as the locale, with a variety of ticket packages to fit anyone’s budget. The festival opens with a special presentation of Disney’s The Finest Hours, the remarkable true story of the greatest small boat rescue in Coast Guard history starring Chris Pine and Casey Affleck, and closes with 45 Years, the critically acclaimed Berlin Film Festival Silver Bear award-winning feature starring Charlotte Rampling.
But the three-day film festival isn’t limited to those impressive bookends. 85 screenings abound around town in charming venues like the recently refurbished Village Theatre (a Coronado Island staple since 1947), while a free trolley will ensure pass holders get to their movies in time. Catch classics like 1939’s Dive Bomber and cult favorites like 1980’s The Stuntman, or the latest from Pixar.
Panels and live performances get equal billing, so don’t miss out on discussions lead by the likes of critic Leonard Maltin and Academy-Award-winning director Ira Wohl, or check out A Twist of Lemmon, a one-man live musical by Jack’s son Chris.
The real star, however, just might be the location, a historic seaside village that’s been drawing a-listers since the glory days of the silver screen. Stroll the quaint streets, enjoy an al fresco meal between screenings, check out film exhibits and mingle at exclusive parties.
And, of course, don’t miss the bonfire celebration of the Billy Wilder classic Some Like it Hot, screened on the same beach where it was filmed in 1958. Tuck your toes in the sand as you bask in the shadow of the world-famous Hotel del Coronado and enjoy ‘smores while laughing at a mesmerizing comedy classic that’s as timeless as the venue itself.
For more information on the Coronado Island Film Festival, from passes to lodging to screening schedules, visit coronadoislandfilmfest.com.
