WEST HOLLYWOOD – July 22, 2008 – The inaugural West Hollywood International Film Festival (WHIFF), presented by Deluca Entertainment, is slated to premier July 29 in West Hollywood, California.

The four-day festival is the first of its kind in the City of West Hollywood and will showcase more than 100 features and documentaries and some 30 short films from the U.S. and around the world. In addition to a prestigious award, the first place winner will receive the Hollywood Golden Star and a filmmaker’s bonanza, the grand prize of 10,000 feet of Fuji film stock.
Festival-goers will enjoy screenings at various landmark venues, including the iconic House of Blues on Sunset Blvd, the Writer's Guild Theater in Beverly Hills and the Regency Theaters on Fairfax and will be automatically entered to win an all-inclusive trip to Costa Rica with every ticket purchased.

 The funds raised will benefit the Bob Hope Hollywood USO at Los Angeles International Airport, a non-profit organization that provides support and services to American troops and their families.
WHIFF celebrates the global impact of Hollywood on the international film community by providing an opportunity for writers, producers, directors and actors from various backgrounds and cultures to unite and share cutting-edge films from across the globe.

"As a U.S.-based filmmaker and producer, it’s important to showcase the influence that Hollywood has on the international film market,” said Martin Deluca, founder and president of WHIFF.  “WHIFF is a celebration of Hollywood’s talent and an effort to return film productions to the stage that connected the world with motion picture art.”

Various film panels will take place, and include guests such as directors Paul Lynch and Armand Mastronianni, Allan Rosenberg President of SAG, production designer Roger C. Ambrose, actors Robert Easton, Elaine Hendrix, Barbara Niven, Julie Andrews, Xaviera Hollander, and Antonio Sabato Jr. among many others. A special performance by musical guest “Cipes and The People” will take place on Wednesday, July 30. The festival runs through Aug. 1, with opening night celebrations at One Sunset Restaurant at Sunset Blvd and closing ceremony at Republic Restaurant at West Hollywood.

            For more information and to purchase festival tickets and passes, please visit www.whiff2008.com. Tickets will also be available in person at the venues. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, call 424-288-4536.