Maryland Film Festival Blog

Filmmaker John Waters interviews actor John Travolta at “A Tribute to John Travolta” in MICA’s Brown Center on 11/10. Photo credit: Lloyd Fox, Baltimore Sun.

Thank you to everyone who came out for our Fall Fundraiser,  “A Tribute to John Travolta” on Saturday night at the MICA Brown Center! By all accounts it was a legendary evening.   Check out Chris Kaltenbach‘s coverage of our event in the Baltimore Sun.

Also, check out John Waters‘ recent interview on WBAL in which he talks about Travolta and describes Maryland Film Festival as  “…one of the best things that we have in this town!”  Click here for the podcast.

L to R: Ben (Aaron Johnson), DEA agent Dennis (John Travolta) and Chon (Taylor Kitsch) in SAVAGES. Photo credit: Universal Pictures.

FILM LEGEND JOHN TRAVOLTA TO BE AWARDED MFF “REEL GUY” FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN FILM AND BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN SAVAGES:

JOHN TRAVOLTA AND JOHN WATERS IN CONVERSATION AT MICA NOVEMBER 10 IN SUPPORT OF THE ANNUAL MARYLAND FILM FESTIVAL “OPEN CONVERSATION” FUNDRAISER EVENT

The Maryland Film Festival is pleased to announce a unique tribute to Hollywood legend John Travolta on Saturday, Nov. 10 at the MICA Brown Center. The main event, a fundraiser to support the work of the Maryland Film Festival, will bring Travolta together with noted filmmaker John Waters for the fifth annual edition of the Maryland Film Festival’s annual signature “Open Conversations.”

Maryland Film Festival Presents “A Tribute to John Travolta:” An Open Conversation with John Travolta and John Waters
Saturday, November 10th
MICA Brown Center
1300 West Mt. Royal Ave.
Baltimore, MD

“John Travolta‘s career represents an astonishing range of work, right up to his work in Oliver Stone‘s 2012 release, SAVAGES, which should garner Travolta a series of Best Supporting Actor nominations,” said MFF Director Jed Dietz. “In Maryland, we feel a special attachment to his career, and are grateful for his generosity to the community when he was here filming LADDER 49. We are proud to be able to welcome this unique artist back to Baltimore.”

Honorary Co-Chairs of the event will be Johns Hopkins President Ron Daniels and his wife, Joanne Rosen, and Maryland Institute College of Art President Fred Lazarus and his wife, Jonna Lazarus.

Travolta, who has appeared in more than 60 films, launched his career in 1972 with a variety of television roles and rose to national prominence with his featured role in the sitcom “Welcome Back, Kotter.” He secured his position as a leading man with a pair of musical blockbusters – SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER in 1977 and GREASE in 1978. His career was rekindled with a star turn in PULP FICTION in 1994, after which he continued to stretch his skills in a wide variety of starring roles. In 2004, Travolta came to Baltimore to film LADDER 49 with co-star Joaquin Phoenix. Three years later, Travolta returned to musicals, donning a house dress and a Baltimore accent to star as Edna Turnblad in the HAIRSPRAY, the film of the musical adapted from John Waters‘ 1988 film of the same name.

John Waters has directed sixteen movies in the city of Baltimore, including HAIRSPRAY, SERIAL MOM, CRY-BABY, POLYESTER and PINK FLAMINGOS, and he is the author of six books including 2011′s Role Models. He also serves on the Maryland Film Festival’s Board of Directors and has screened his films at numerous festivals around the world, including Cannes and Sundance. Waters has selected a film to present to audiences at each Maryland Film Festival since the festival’s launch in 1999; these titles have varied from offbeat comedies to cult classics and challenging art films. Their power to entertain and challenge viewers is always heightened by Waters’ unique humor and insight.

The Maryland Film Festival Open Conversations are designed to bring our community of supporters closer to movies and the people who make them. Launched in 2007, the Open Conversations have opened a variety of windows on the filmmaking world, including an exploration of the careers of actor John Rothman and his brother, studio executive Tom Rothman, an exploration of documentary film as journalism with Meredith Vieira, and a celebration of the 30th anniversary of DINER with Barry Levinson and cast members Ellen Barkin, Daniel Stern, and Michael Tucker.

TRAVOLTA CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 

1977: SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER (Oscar & Golden Globe Nomination)
1978: GREASE (Golden Globe Nomination)
1994: PULP FICTION (Oscar & Golden Globe Nomination)
1995: GET SHORTY (Golden Globe Win for Lead Actor)
1997: FACE/OFF (MTV Award for Best Duo)
1998: PRIMARY COLORS (Golden Globe Nomination)
2004: LADDER 49 (Filmed in Baltimore with Joaquin Phoenix)
2007: HAIRSPRAY (Golden Globe Nomination)
2012: SAVAGES
2012: Lifetime Achievement Award, Zurich Film Festival
2012: Donostia Lifetime Achievement Award, San Sebastian Film Festival

TICKETS

FRIENDS OF THE FESTIVAL EARLY BIRD ACCESS! Starting NOW through Wednesday 10/10, tickets on sale to current Friends of the Festival ONLY by calling 410-752-8083.  Tickets go on sale to general public 10/10.

TICKET PRICES: 

$75* – Conversation-Only Tickets    

$300* – All Access Passes (includes preferred seating for Conversation followed by intimate post-Conversation dinner with John Travolta and John Waters).

*All tickets include access to MFF screenings of Travolta films at the Charles Theater, 1711 N. Charles Street: GET SHORTY on 10/23, 9pm and PULP FICTION 10/24, 9pm.

Not a Friend of the Festival or has your membership lapsed?  You can still get early bird access if you join or renew over the phone when you call our office to purchase tickets!  Presenter-level memberships start at just $50.  Click here to find out more about Friends of the Festival membership levels and benefits. This event WILL sell out – get your tickets now – why wait?

For more information about the event and Maryland Film Festival visit our website at  www.mdfilmfest.com.