The first annual Downtown Film Festival Los Angeles (DFFLA) released its official 2008 lineup details today.

Soon to kick off its five-day run August 13 to 17, the event — being sponsored by Barker Block — will present 23 feature and 180 short films at a mix of venues throughout Downtown’s historic core.

In addition to film screenings, DFFLA will present a variety of progressive programming spanning from a digital arts festival in conjunction with the Los Angeles Center for Digital Art to Sustainable LA – a full-day of “green” programming that includes panel discussions, a farmer’s market and family-friendly activities.

Also, to commemorate the beginning of a new tradition, the festival’s Centerpiece Gala is devoted to celebrating Downtown’s role in the early development of L.A.’s movie industry. Classic silent film “Piccadilly,” starring Anna May Wong -– a significant silent era Asian-American leading lady born in Chinatown — will mark the occasion and will be presented at the Los Angeles Theatre on Broadway.

Aside from the gamut of special events planned around festival week, DFFLA will encompass several film series including:

Afrique 360º – a selection of feature and short films from Africa and the Diaspora, including the Los Angeles premiere of the critically-acclaimed “Confessions of a Gambler”(South Africa, 2008),

American Latino Film Series – an exploration of the American experience through the lens of American-Latino filmmakers,

Downtown Cinema – a program of short films from Downtown denizens,

Best of Siggraph – the “best in show” of computer animation shorts from the annual computer graphics convention (which is being held in Downtown simultaneously with the festival),

“Drive-In At SCI-Arc” – An authentic drive-in movie screening at the parking lot of SCI-Arc, featuring a special preview screening of “Mock Up At Mu,” the latest film by avant-garde director Craig Baldwin, and

“Shorts & Sweets” – A program of short film previews presented during the workday lunch hour and designed for Downtown commuters. (The program will be presented at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel on three Wednesdays leading up to the festival.)

IFC’s “In Search of a Midnight Kiss,” by director Alex Holdridge will be presented opening night on August 13 at the Orpheum Theater, followed by an after-party in the Pacific Electric Lofts penthouse space.

Closing the run is documentary feature from director Irena Salina titled “Flow,” a stand-out hit from the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year.

The festival’s complete programming line-up and ticket information is available at dffla.com.

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