George Lucas to Serve as "Guest Director" at 2006 Los Angeles Film Festival

George Lucas will serve as the guest director for the 2006 Los Angeles Film Festival, taking place Westwood Village from Thursday, June 22, through Sunday, July 2, Film Independent executive director Dawn Hudson announced Wednesday evening. As guest director, Lucas will create a special sidebar program of films for the festival, which will include a selection of movies that have inspired his work. In other LAFF news, the festival retreat will be hosted at Skywalker Ranch in Marin County, in Northern California. "As a pioneer and innovator, George Lucas values the ideas, goals and artistry that Film Independent champions," said Hudson in a statement. "He is the ultimate independent filmmaker. His talent and his contributions to cinema make this year a true milestone for the Los Angeles Film Festival as a world-class event." [Brian Brooks]