The 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival officially kicks off this Thursday night and I've been previewing some of the titles which have piqued my interest. As always, I try to fill my schedule with both narrative features as well as documentaries. With any luck, you'll end up seeing them at your local multiplex or art house.

Here are a couple more films on my list, including a documentary about a rare breed of noble young people with political ambitions and a promising "sweet little American indie."

Jason Pollock's The Youngest Candidate is an inspiring documentary in the Special Screenings section. Presented by YOUnited Foundation and The DONKAPHANT Film Festival, the film follows a group of teenagers running for elective office around the nation. It has "important" written all over it, and there's never been a better time for some uplifting of spirit.

“It is every filmmaker's dream to have a premiere like this and I’m so grateful to the YOUnited Foundation/Donkaphant Film Festival for making my dream a reality by sponsoring the world premiere of The Youngest Candidate at the Los Angeles Film Festival,” Jason Pollock told me.

The Youngest Candidate is free for festival passholders. Tickets are available for the public at www.younitedfoundation.org.

Thursday, June 25th
7:00pm
Majestic Crest

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Weather Girl, from writer/director Blayne Weaver, is screening in the Guilty Pleasures section. For some, that may be all you need to know.

Tricia O'Kelley stars a Seattle "weather girl" who has an on-air meltdown over her cheating boyfriend, the morning news anchor. Out of work, out of love, and homeless, she needs to pick up the pieces and start a new life. Mark Harmon (NCIS' Agent Gibbs), Jon Cryer, Jane Lynch, and Blair Underwood are among the more notable names in the cast. Weaver began his career as a television actor. He then turned his attention to screenwriting and directing -- this is his second feature.

The film premiered at the Slamdance Film Festival in Salt Lake City this past January and just picked up the award for Best Narrative Feature at the 2009 deadCENTER Film Festival in Oklahoma City several days ago.

Screen Media Films has already bought the DVD rights while Lifetime will show the film on its cable network in October. The producers will be self-distributing it theatrically in Los Angeles this summer.

Weather Girl will have two screenings:

Friday, June 19th
7:30pm
Majestic Crest

Wednesday, June 24th
9:30pm
Landmark 4

Tickets are available for both at the festival site.