LOS ANGELES, CA (CelebrityAccess MediaWIre) — The Swerve Festival has announced the initial lineup for its first annual event, set to take place September 28-30 at Barnsdall Art Park, the Vista Theatre and the Echoplex includes screenings of independent feature and short films, music videos, live music performances, an art show and DIY activities.
The festival will kick off on Friday, September 28 with the U.S. Premiere of Surfwise. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Doug Pray (Hype!, Scratch, Big Rig), Surfwise is a new, feature-length documentary film that follows the odyssey of 85-year-old, legendary surfer Dr. Dorian “Doc” Paskowitz, his wife Juliette, and their nine children—all of whom were raised and home-schooled in a small camper on a California beach, surfed every day of their lives, and rigorously adhered to the strict diet and lifestyle of animals in the wild.
The festival will close on Sunday, September 30 with Anton Corbijn’s hotly anticipated biopic Control, the life and death story of Ian Curtis, lead singer of the legendary post-punk rock band, Joy Division. The film marks the feature film directing debut of photographer and music video director Anton Corbijn (U2, Depeche Mode, Nirvana among others). The award-winning film had its world premiere at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival.
Other films in the Swerve Festival lineup include the U.S. Premiere of Mike Hill’s documentary The Man Who Souled the World. The film tells the story of Steve Rocco who transformed the skateboard industry from corporate to skater-owned with a do-it-yourself punk attitude. Steve’s antics and entrepreneurial impact on the skateboard business are huge and have ultimately had a significant impact on broader mainstream culture as Steve is the man who gave Spike Jonze his first directing gig, discovered Jason Lee and created Big Brother magazine which became the genesis of Jackass.
The full line-up of film programming will be announced shortly. Films and music videos will be eligible for Audience and Jury awards will be given in multiple categories as part of the Festival Award Show which will take place on Sunday, September 30 and will be televised on November 9 on FUEL TV.
Swerve Festival will host two days of dynamic live music performances at Barnsdall Art Park and the Echoplex. Performers are an eclectic mix of internationally known headline acts as well as critically acclaimed up-and-coming artists. Confirmed acts include Black Angels, Bonde Do Role, Oh No! Oh My!, Snowden, Illinois and Thee More Shallows. Live music artists are being booked in association with ASCAP, a non-profit performing rights organization. The complete live music roster will be announced in the coming weeks.
Throughout the festival venue’s Barnsdall Art Park, Aaron Rose, co-curator of “Beautiful Losers”, will organize an art show consisting original art installations. Confirmed artists include Mike Mills, Geoff McFetridge, Terry Richardson, Thomas Campbell, Todd James (aka REAS), Ed Templeton and Ashley Macomber. Additional visual artists will be announced soon.
Throughout the weekend, do-it-yourself workshops will provide visitors with hands-on filmmaking, silk-screening, meet-the-artist sessions and a glimpse into CreateAskate—a non-profit national educational curriculum teaching participants how to make their own skateboards.
Swerve Festival will also include environmentally friendly elements such as Global Inheritance's Energy Factory that generates power from solar, biodiesel and bike stations; an incentive program encouraging use of public transportation, skateboards or bicycles to and from the grounds; and Farmer's Market-style food vendors.
The core of the Swerve Festival will take place at the Barnsdall Art Park. Located in the center of Los Angeles, Barnsdall offers panoramic views of the city and the famed Hollywood Sign. It also features the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright Hollyhock House, plus a modern theater, galleries, and art studios. Other Swerve Festival venues include the historic Vista Theater and Echoplex, the venue of choice for up-and-coming music acts.
