The Santa Monica Film Festival & Moxie Awards is an annual film series and awards show held in
Santa Monica, California,
United States.
History
The Santa Monica Film Festival & Moxie Awards was created by Albert Birdie deQuay, also known as Birdie deQuay, in 1997. In 2001, deQuay decided to focus exclusively on his activities with New Media Agency in
Venice Beach, and handed all festival management activities to
Dallas-based non-profit group Deep Ellum Film Festival, until it was later dissolved in 2003. Its unique format ran throughout the year screening films every third Thursday as part of their X Series at the
Aero Theatre
The Aero Theatre is a single-screen movie theater in Santa Monica, California, built in 1939 and opened in 1940.
History
Named in tribute to the aerospace industry, the Aero Theatre was built by aviation pioneer Donald W. Douglas of the Douglas A ...
and the Laemmle Monica 4-Plex, both in
Santa Monica. The films were voted on by the audiences, then later awarded the Moxie Award at an annual week-long award ceremony called the MOXIE Awards.
During the Moxie Awards, the Santa Monica Film Festival honored entertainers such as
Ray Bradbury, (who attended the Sci-Fi themed ceremony on 2000),
Ray Harryhausen and
Forrest J. Ackerman
Forrest James Ackerman (November 24, 1916 – December 4, 2008) was an American magazine editor; science fiction writer and literary agent; a founder of science fiction fandom; a leading expert on science fiction, horror, and fantasy films; a pr ...
.
The Under the Stars Summer Series included summer night film exhibitions at venues such as
Bergamot Station and
Santa Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier is a large double-jointed pier at the foot of Colorado Avenue in Santa Monica, California, United States. It contains a small amusement park, concession stands, and areas for views and fishing.
Attractions Pacific Park
Th ...
. Films shown included classics such as “Nuovo Cinema Paradiso” and “
Grease” projected in their original format. Proceeds went to benefit the Santa Monica Art Museum charity.
Past participating filmmakers included
Spike Jonze
Adam H. Spiegel (born October 22, 1969), known professionally as Spike Jonze, is an American filmmaker, actor, musician, and photographer. His work includes commercials, film, music videos, skateboard videos and television.
Jonze began his ca ...
,
Gore Verbinski,
Jason Reitman
Jason R. Reitman (; born October 19, 1977) is a Canadian-American actor and filmmaker, best known for directing the films ''Thank You for Smoking'' (2005), ''Juno'' (2007), '' Up in the Air'' (2009), ''Young Adult'' (2011), and '' Ghostbusters: ...
,
Dennis Franz, and
Joe Mantegna.
In 2004, a Santa Monica based non-profit launched Santa Monica Film Festival, an annual film festival focused on emerging artists, and a new website.
References
External links
FacebookIndie film festival DNASanta Monica Film Festival Website
Film festivals in California
Cinema of Southern California
Tourist attractions in Santa Monica, California
Film festivals established in 1997
Recurring events disestablished in 2001
1997 establishments in California
2001 disestablishments in California
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