Welcome New Member Glendale International Film Festival

We would like to welcome Velvet Rhodes from Velvet Rhodes Productions and the Glendale International Film Festival to the Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce. Velvet Rhodes is a writer, director and producer of comedies, sci-fi comedies, and comedies that emphasize female empowerment and betterment of the world as well as being the creator of the Glendale International Film Festival.

The Glendale International Film Festival is a private non-profit organization whose mission is to show quality films that tell a story by using outstanding dialogue free from the common expletive-ridden fare as well as honoring women film makers and screenwriters from around the world. GIFF contributes 20% of the proceeds from its film festivals to filmmaking and screenwriting programs at the Glendale/La Cañada/La Crescenta public schools and Glendale Community College.

Here is Velvet Rhodes’ story in her own words: “It all began in 2014. After attending the Idyllwild Film Festival, which I loved, I realized we needed one in Glendale. So I promptly began creating a three-day festival to take place at the MGM Five Star Cinema in Glendale. In 2015, we had our opening night at the Alex Theatre where we screened the documentary ‘Vintage Glorious Glendale.’ In 2016 we completely sold out the MGM Five Star Cinema and screened memorable films from Armenia, including ‘Aram Aram’ and ‘The Other Side of Home.’

“Many of our films, including ‘South Bureau Homicide,’ ‘Finding Fortune’ and ‘Opportunity Knocks’ have gone on to television and won many awards around the world. For 2017, we are dedicated to ‘All Creatures Great and Small in the Animal Kingdom’ and ‘Women Film Makers and Screenwriters.’ We are screening ‘The Bride from Vegas,’ which is a great romantic comedy with its roots in Glendale, as well as ‘Earthquake,’ which is a moving film about the earthquake in Armenia, and many more. The emphasis is on the local filmmaker and screenwriter as well as showcasing decent family-friendly, expletive-free movies that tell stories from around the world. Latino, Asian, Indian, Russian, Canadian, Greek and Australian [films] are represented in this year’s festival.”  

The Glendale International Film Festival kicks off its 4th Annual Film Festival on Oct. 13 with an opening night gala and red carpet screening of “The Godfather” celebrating the 45th anniversary of the film’s premiere. “The Godfather” makes its Alex Theatre screen debut for this one night only event. You will not want to miss it. On Oct. 20-22, the Film Festival will move to the UA 8 Regency Theatre in La Cañada. For more information, log onto www.glendaleinternationalfilmfestival.com, www.facebook.com/glendalefilmfest and www.youtube.com/channel/UChPmTWbOHgE91GznmIbqYaA.
On another note, we will not be having a business mixer in July due to its close proximity to the 4th! We invite you to attend the CV Fireworks show at Crescenta Valley High School on July 4th. Gates open at 4 p.m. Along with the fireworks there will be carnival rides, food trucks, ice cold beverages, live music and lots of family fun. For more information, visit www.cvfireworks.com or call (818) 248-2271.
Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce: Your source for all things local! Our mission is to actively support and enrich the community, vitality and pride of Montrose, to help preserve the historic district and small town atmosphere, to promote economic stability and positive, productive relationships within Montrose and the surrounding communities.

Upcoming events
No July business mixer. Enjoy your 4th of July!
40th anniversary Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 7 from noon to 11 p.m. in the 2200, 2300 and 2400 blocks of Honolulu Avenue.

  melinda clarke