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Top Film Festivals
Combine the glitz of Hollywood, top movies from around the world, and some of the best celebrity spotting anywhere, and it’s easy to understand why California’s film festivals draw serious cinefiles and casual fans alike. Some of California’s festivals let you get a jump on the pre-Oscar buzz with premieres and screenings of soon-to-be contending films—plus appearances by stars and leading directors. Plus they’re set in star locations, like Palm Springs and Santa Barbara, so there’s plenty to do before and after you go to the movies.
October
A celebration of the best in independent and world cinema, this high-powered but low-key event always attracts major filmmakers and stars, as well as some of the hottest independent talents in the...
Jonathan Scott Shensa
January
One of the biggest nights for dressing up in the desert, the star-studded Palm Springs International Film Festival attracts not just big...
January - February
The city of Santa Barbara, also known as the American Riviera, rolls out the red...
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June
Here’s a film festival with an entertaining twist—it’s got music videos too. This long-running weeklong event, presented at downtown’s Nokia Theatre/L.A. Live complex, includes a diverse mix of...
Wireimage and Film Independant
California: Outdoor
Each year, about 20,000 gray whales make an epic 6,000-mile/9,656-km journey between Alaska and Mexico—and then back again. These whales travel from feeding grounds in the...
California: Outdoor
Most everybody loves snow—but in any given family, different people love snow in different ways. Some ski, some board, some just want to chuck snowballs and go sledding....
Spotlight: Santa Monica
Even if you don’t have a wealthy uncle with a rambling oceanfront house, Shutters on the Beach lets you live like you do. Combining a Cape Cod-inspired design with an...