Catalina Film Festival's 2015 Honorees & Tributes Include Wes Craven, Diane Warren & More

Catalina Film Festival (CFF) today announced featured tributes and events for the Sept. 24 - 27 festival, held on the famed Catalina Island. Among the honorees for the 5th annual Festival are inaugural recipient of the Soundtrack of Our Lives Award, legendary songwriter Diane Warren; Avalon Award recipient, Mena Suvari (American Beauty, American Pie); Isla Earth Award recipient, Kristin Davis (Sex & the City, Couples Retreat); and Crest Award recipient, Lucas Till (X-Men: Apocalypse, Bravetown). CFF will also pay tribute to Wes Craven, a supporter of the Festival who graciously founded the annual Craven Award for excellence in horror filmmaking and personally selected the winning films.

"We're heartbroken to have lost our close friend and one of our biggest supporters. Wes was not only an icon in the industry, he was a personal friend who will be incredibly missed," said Festival co-founder, Delious 'Tim' Kennedy. "As the winner of our annual Craven Award was just picked days ago, it's with heavy, but proud and inspired, hearts that we will honor his legacy, vision and spirit."

CFF is also expanding their tributes this year to include the first-ever Soundtrack of Our Lives award, honoring singers, songwriters, and musicians. Diane Warren - whose songs have been featured in more than 100 motion pictures - is the inaugural recipient. Warren has worked with Whitney Houston, Lady Gaga, Adele, Elton John, Kelly Clarkson, Faith Hill, Eric Clapton, Celine Dion, LeAnn Rimes, Mariah Carey, Barbra Streisand, Justin Bieber, and Jennifer Hudson, just to name a few. Her songs have provided the soundtrack for some of film's most memorable moments, including "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing," performed by Aerosmith for Armageddon. Her original song, "Til It Happens To You" performed by Lady Gaga, is featured in the recently released and critically acclaimed documentary The Hunting Ground.

"Diane Warren was the perfect choice for our inaugural Soundtrack of Our Lives award," said Festival director and co-founder, Ron Truppa. "She's one of the most prolific songwriters whose music has not only earned seven Oscar nods, it's shaped how we experience film."

Additional tributes, celebrities, and film selections to be announced. Recent honorees include Nicolas Cage, Andy Garcia, William H. Macy, Jon Favreau, Sharon Stone, Kate Bosworth, Stan Lee, and more.

About Catalina Film Festival

Catalina Film Festival is an annual celebration of film on the only West Coast resort island. The competitive fest and film market features the Catalina TV and New Media Summit; Mercedes Benz Music Stage; Blackmagic Catalina Treasure Hunt ($5000 in prizes hidden throughout the island); Stella Artois Beer Garden; Horseshoe Bend Vineyards Catalina Filming Wine Mixer; and Boxcast Live-Stream Lancer Auditorium. CFF's benefits Catalina Island Conservatory. Visit www.CatalinaFilm.org, Facebook.com/CatalinaFilm.

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