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Arts & Entertainment

Independent Music, Film and Art Get the Spotlight at San Diego IndieFest 7

A number of celebrities are expected to attend the festival, scheduled for March 12-13 at the NTC Promenade at Liberty Station.

Independent artists are those unsung heroes who preserve their creativity by denying a filter for their talents. The San Diego IndieFest is a showcase for these indie artists. Bringing a one-two punch of vibrant tunes and dynamic flicks, in addition to other creative talents, the San Diego IndieFest is back with bells on. If you're looking for a novel scene with quality music and film, this is the event to attend.

“It's a unique and diverse festival that celebrates independent art, music, films and thought. There's nothing else like it. You can see so many things in one day and be totally inspired,” said Jessica Roe, a co-producer of the Mental Eclectic Film Stage.

San Diego IndieFest 7 will feature six stages, a skate ramp, and sections for visual artists and kids. There will be more than 50 acts on the six stages.

Initially, the festival's spotlight on indie artists started out small, but it has grown to be something grand. It was founded in 2004 by Danielle LoPresti and Alicia Champion to cultivate independent culture and thought, namely in the field of music, said Jeanette Di Pinza, co-producer of the Mental Eclectic Film Stage.

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Since then, it has expanded to include film, visual art, poetry and business.

“With an ever-increasing crowd, it has also expanded physically—from a small venue in Hillcrest, to a cordoned-off block of North Park, to this year's new home, NTC Promenade at Liberty Station,” Di Pinza said.

The artists sharing their musical talents have styles that range from rock, pop, hip-hop, folk and alternative to everything in between. Some of the musical artists who will be in attendance are AWOLNATION, We Are Scientists, the New Assembly and Natalya Phillips. Festival founder LoPresti will also be performing with her band, Danielle LoPresti and the Masses. The group's latest music video “Maybe I Was Wrong” will have its world premiere at IndieFest, Di Pinza said.

Craig Wilson, CEO of the Mental Eclectic Film Stage, served as director of the music video for “Maybe I Was Wrong.”

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The film side of the festival will also be a star-studded event, with red-carpet world premieres of Gone Hollywood, The Little Match Makers and The Dungeon Master. In addition to the feature films, there will also be several short films and music videos on rotation.

“Like the name of our filmmaker panel, which was inspired by one of the feature films we're world-premiering, we've ‘Gone Hollywood, Indie Style!’ ” Di Pinza said.

In attendance for these screenings will be Demetrius Navarro (ER), Erlinda Orozco, Richard Hatch (Battlestar Galactica), Valente Rodriguez (George Lopez Show), Alexander Polinksy (Charles in Charge), and Rider Strong (Boy Meets World). Additional celebrities in attendance will be Mark Christopher Lawrence (Chuck), Amrapali Ambegaokar (Grey's Anatomy), and Kimberlin Brown (the Young and the Restless).

The event will run from March 12-13 at the NTC Promenade at Liberty Station. On March 12 all the various acts, music and films will be in full effect; however, only the film stage continues on March 13. General admission for the festival is $25 and $22 for students, seniors or military with active ID. Kids 12 years old or younger are admitted free. For more information, visit the San Diego IndieFest website.

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