LAIFF sets Jan. 24 deadline

The Los Angeles Independent Film Festival has announced it is seeking entries for its third annual event, slated for April 3-7.

LAIFF founder and director Robert Faust said he expects submissions this year to exceed last year's 700-plus en-tries. Among the films acquired for domestic distribution at the past two fests were Robert Patton-Spruill's "Squeeze," Mo Ogrodnick's "Ripe" and George Hickenlooper's "The Low Life."

The fest also has brought on new programming director Thomas Ethan Harris, the co-founder and programmer of the American Cinematheque's "Alternative Screen" series. Indie producer Linda Rattner Kelly also has been added as managing director.

Sponsored by Kodak and the Directors Guild of America, and presented by the Sundance Channel and the Film-makers Foundation, the event again centers at Raleigh Studios, also a sponsor, with some screenings at Paramount Studios and the DGA.

Submissions to the festival will be accepted through Jan. 24. For info, call: [phone].