Benefit Gala of “Cooking with Stella” to open the 8th annual Indian Film Festival Los Angeles PRESS CONTACTS: Kim Dixon kim@dominion3.com Carol Green carol@dominion3.com 310.487.3393 Surekha Paruchuri surekha@indianfilmfestival.org or 310.403.0665 IFFLA opening supports the work of the Institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research LOS ANGELES, CA, March 28, 2010 – The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) announces COOKING WITH STELLA as the opening night film at a benefit gala kicking off the eighth annual festival on Tuesday, April 20. Lisa Ray, who stars in the film, reunites with director Dilip Mehta and producer Deepa Mehta, who co-wrote the screenplay. Ray also starred in HOLLYWOOD/BOLLYWOOD and the 2007 Academy Award nominated WATER, both of which were directed by Deepa.
The festival continues from April 20-25 at ArcLight Hollywood. Writer/director Dilip Mehta makes his feature film directorial debut with COOKING WITH STELLA, a warm-hearted comedy about scheming cook Stella (Seema Biswas) who uses her long-term post as the personal chef to the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi to run an elaborate grey market import business. The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) will host IFFLA’s opening night festivities with support from the Canadian Consulate of Los Angeles and Telefilm Canada. “We are thrilled to support the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles in its efforts to expand the relationship between Hollywood and the Indian film community and it is our distinct honor to celebrate the artistic and social contributions of our member Lisa Ray,” said Screen Actors Guild National Executive Director David White.
The event will be sponsored by Chakra Cuisine and Divya Wines, specifically created to be paired with Indian and Pan-Asian cuisine (http://www.divyawines.com). Lisa Ray, Dilip and Deepa Mehta will be in attendance at the film’s Los Angeles premiere. The event will benefit the Institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research (www.imbcr.org), an independent non-profit research institute working to find improved treatment and a cure for multiple myeloma. “Lisa Ray has been afflicted with this disease and has made heroic efforts to make the world aware of myeloma and its terrible impact on the human body. We are privileged to have this opportunity to recognize Lisa’s courage and assist the Institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research in raising funds and increasing awareness for their research,” said Arnold Peter, Chair of IFFLA’s Board of Directors. “Deepa is a friend and past participant of our festival so we are especially proud to be showcasing her brother’s first feature film on our opening night.” added IFFLA’s Executive Director Christina Marouda. The 8th Annual Indian Film Festival Los Angeles (IFFLA) runs from April 20 – April 25 at ArcLight Hollywood. Tickets for the opening night benefit screening will be available on April 2.
For more information, including how to purchase tickets to this event, visit www.indianfilmfestival.org. [divider] About IFFLA The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) is a nonprofit organization devoted to a greater appreciation of Indian cinema and culture by showcasing films, honoring entertainment industry business executives and promoting the diverse perspectives of the Indian diaspora. For more information about the upcoming festival running April 20th -25th at ArcLight Hollywood, visit www.indianfilmfestival.org. About ArcLight Cinemas ArcLight Cinemas, represents an evolution in the movie going experience. ArcLight Cinemas Hollywood, opened in March 2002, ArcLight Sherman Oaks location, which opened in late 2007 and ArcLight Pasadena is scheduled to open Summer 2010.
ArcLight offers an unprecedented combination of technology, amenities, comfort, and customer service. Facilities include the historic Cinerama Dome (at the Hollywood location) and state-of-the Art “black box” auditoriums as well as a café bar and gift shop. Tickets can be purchased online without a fee (members receive a $1 per ticket discount) and printed at home, at the theaters’ automated ticketing kiosks and lobby box office. ArcLight offers a free membership program with purchasing rewards and other members-only benefits. ArcLight Cinemas Hollywood is located at 6360 W. Sunset Boulevard, between Vine and Ivar. ArcLight Sherman Oaks is located in the Sherman Oaks Galleria at 15303 Ventura Blvd., at the corner of Sepulveda and Ventura.
For more information about ArcLight visit www.arclightexperience.com. Grand Sponsors Chakra Cuisine; Lufthansa German Airlines-Official Airline of IFFLA 2010; Peter Rubin & Simon, LLP; Wells Fargo Bank Major Sponsors Baseline; Deluxe Labs; Divya Wines; Entertainment Partners; Final Draft Inc.; Fox Entertainment Group; Globosat Entertainment Network ; GMX; Gumbiner Savett, Inc; Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp, LLP; Nickelodeon; PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP; Reliance MediaWorks; Sony Creative Software, Inc; Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces; Zee TV USA Media Sponsors Back Stage; DesiYou; Giant Robot; Hyphen Magazine; India Journal; India West; LA18; OC Life Magazine; Screen International; STAR USA; Variety; Yelp
About IMBCR The Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA. IMBCR research is funded in part by donations from major foundations, including the Annenberg, Skirball, Lincy and Kramer Family Foundations, FJC, (A Foundation of Philanthropic Funds), Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation and Myeloma Research Fund. Collaborative research is also sponsored by major pharmaceutical companies. IMBCR research findings have been presented at annual meetings throughout the world. IMBCR research has been published in most major oncology journals. www.imbcr.org