Film Maudit 2.0 showcases some of the most unique films

Written by Jesus Figueroa

@ThisFunktional

Film Maudit 2.0 creates a home for many films that are extraordinary and unique.

Festival Director Patrick Kennelly continues to help produce the fifth edition of Film Maudit 2.0 at Highway’s Performance Space in Santa Monica.

This film festival gives an audience the opportunity to watch movies that may not be normally shown on the big screen.

“You know, it's dealing with subject matter or an aesthetic that is outside of the mainstream or just the kind of stuff that you wouldn't see normally in an AMC theater,” Kennelly said. “There are many festivals around the world that sort of cater to these kinds of movies, but not too many in Los Angeles. So, also we're unique in that we're in a mixture of not just narrative films or genre films, but also experimental works and documentaries, generally just dealing with or working with aesthetics that are outside of mainstream filmmaking.”

There are many film festivals in the Los Angeles area, with the same films being chosen to be screened at each one.

Film Maudit 2.0 will have the Los Angeles or World premiere for many of the 100+ international films.

“I think Los Angeles has become really great for repertory film screenings, but it's always seemed to be a little difficult with new works. Obviously there's been many festivals in LA that have come and gone in the time I've been here in LA, 20 years,” Kennelly said. “Our thing is very DIY here. It's mostly volunteer based and we're really just doing it for a passion for these kind of films and trying to give it an opportunity to show them on the big screen with an audience.”

Kennelly was a fan of unique films and would attend film festivals trying to find films which told stories in a different way.

While many film festivals bring films which have had much success at other film festivals, Film Maudit 2.0 will have a mixture of films that have been at other film festivals, but will also include many films that have not been seen before due to the experimental nature of the films.

Film Maudit 2.0 has become the festival to go for experimental films.

“I hadn't really seen that in Los Angeles in the time that l've been here. And I've gone to all of the different film festivals that have come and gone over the years, from the LA Film Festival. I used to go to that all of the time and AFI Fest, which is still going strong,” Kennelly said. “So, it was cool to kind of fill a certain niche that didn't exist, at that time.

The Fifth edition of Film Maudit 2.0, a Showcase and Celebration of Outré Films, runs June 12 to June 16, 2024 at Highways Performance Space in Santa Monica, CA.