The 2014 San Diego Film Festival will launch on September 24-28, with award-winning independent films, filmmakers, actors, panels and parties. The Festival, now in its 13th year and featuring more than 100 film screenings, will be held at the Reading Theater in Downtown San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter (701 Fifth Avenue, San Diego, 92101) and ArcLight Cinemas in La Jolla (4425 La Jolla Village Dr., San Diego, 92122). It is produced by the nonprofit San Diego Film Foundation.

Since a 2012 expansion, the Festival added the ArcLight Cinemas in La Jolla as a venue, allowing for an increasingly high profile slate of indie films to be programmed. "12 Years a Slave", "Silver Linings Playbook" and "August: Osage County" are just a few of the recent Academy Award-nominated movies that have played at the San Diego Film Festival before their mainstream debut.

"The San Diego Film Festival is the region's premier event for the best global and national independent films. For many notable films, it is one of the first stops on the independent film festival circuit – consider it a sneak peek for anyone who loves to go to the movies!" said Chairman and CEO Dale Strack, whose team began running the Festival in 2012. "It is also a great opportunity to highlight San Diego County's diverse cultural landscape and arts community."

Festival ($225) and VIP ($350) passes are on sale online through June 30 before prices increase. Festival passes include all five days of screenings and panels, access to the hotly anticipated Opening Night (last year's film was Academy Award Best Picture winner "12 Years a Slave" and after-party, as well as the Friday night "Almost Famous" party.

VIP passes include everything in the Festival pass on top of exclusive perks, such as first-entry access to all film screenings; VIP lounges with complimentary food and drinks; admission to the red-carpet Celebrity Tribute night (last year, the event honored Judd Apatow); the chance to mix and mingle with filmmakers, industry and actors at exclusive parties; and valet parking.

Individual tickets will go on sale in September, starting at $14 for pre-sale; $16 at the door. One-day passes will be $95. The Patron Circle program is also available for guests who are interested in even higher levels of access and experiences.

The San Diego Film Festival will begin announcing the film lineup on September 1.

For more information, passes/tickets or sponsorship opportunities, visit www.sdfilmfest.com

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jorge.guevara@sandiegored.com