The re-launched Hollywood Film Festival (HFF), now under the auspices of Slamdance co-founder Jon Fitzgerald’s philanthropic CineCause, will run from October 16-19.

CineCause acquired HFF earlier this year after Fitzgerald served as executive director in 2013.

According to a press release the goal of the event going forward will be to showcase socially-conscious films and grow into a leading festival “without the help of typical glitz and glamour”, celebrating creative artists, activists and industry leaders who support causes around the world.  

“The word Hollywood is synonymous with celebrity and glamour,” said Fitzgerald.  “But Hollywood is filled with people who care about global problems and who recognise the power of celebrity, cinema and storytelling and how this power can help create change.”

“Many of Hollywood’s celebrities back important causes and several will participate in our festival this year. Sharon Stone produced My Name Is Water. Emma Thompson executive produced and narrates Sold [pictured], which stars Gillian Anderson and David Arquette, and Liam Neeson narrates Love Thy Nature. 

“Matt Damon’sWater.org will participate in our Water Crisis presentation. The worlds of Hollywood and cause are coming together more and more and the Hollywood Film Festival is happy to connect the dots.”

HFF includes the CineCause Summit presenting a series of films, presentations and tech demonstrations about creating change. This year the Summit will focus on water crisis, sex trafficking, disruptive education, homelessness, music and the mind and displacement.

The roster includes a networking opportunities and prizes for the films in selection.

The CineCause Spotlight films are: the world premiere of My Name Is Water, US premieres of Becoming Bulletproof and Four Letters Apart, as well as A World Not Ours, Alive Inside, Boy Meets Girl, #ChicagoGirl, Love Thy Nature, Mala Mala, Noble, Sequoia, Sins Of Our Youth, SlingShot, Sold, The Starfish Throwers and Una Vida.

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