For the third year in a row, a little bit of Hollywood magic is descending upon the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa and surrounding areas during the La Costa Film Festival, taking place at the iconic resort Sept. 10-13, the first Thursday after Labor Day.
Last year, the festival grew by 30 percent.
Nearly 4,500 film fans enjoyed the 43 films that the festival brought to town, many of them with a focus on sports narratives.
The sports theme was so successful, organizer La Costa Dreams Inc. has brought it back for 2015.
The film festival's purpose this year also remains the same, to create a greater appreciation of the arts, highlight local businesses and support economic and community development in film as well as in the tourism and hospitality industry for Carlsbad and San Diego North County.
While a lineup for this year's films has not been announced, the programming will include fictional films, shorts (films shorter than 40 minutes), documentaries and a juried competition of sports-related films. Many of the programs include Q-and-A sessions with filmmakers, allowing for audience participation.
"We have been amazed to discover the abundance of talented film artists who live in our community," said festival Co-Founder Mike Callahan.
Our challenge is to continue to develop the festival as a resource and outlet for their art. We believe that will be achieved as we become recognized as a must attend true destination film festival," he added.
In addition to screenings, the festival will provide free panels enabling film enthusiasts and filmmakers the opportunity to engage and learn from film industry experts, as well as a high school short film competition with a scholarship prize.
Outdoor screenings are held at the Omni La Costa Resort's center court, with day and evening screenings at a nearby theatre and the Carlsbad Dove Library.
Last year the festival honored Golden Globe winner Ed Harris and Oscar-nominated director and screenwriter Ron Shelton. In its first year, the festival featured a visit from actor Andy Garcia.
For more information about the film festival, and to find out what movies will be screened and the list of special guests who will make an appearance, visit www.lacostafilmfestival.org.

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