The world’s first-ever film festival dedicated to heavy metal music will take place at the Downtown Independent Cinema in Los Angeles, California this coming March 31 through April 3, 2011.

The following four shorts will be a part of the first annual Heavy Metal Film Festival‘s inaugural short film program:

“Faces Of Budokan” – A short film by Mike Cassidy and Tim Sheridan (USA)

In March of 2003, “The Hottest Band in the World,” KISS, embarked on a concert tour throughout Japan, stopping for three Crazy Nights at the legendary Budokan Hall in Tokyo. With consecutive sold-out shows bringing out over 14,200 Japanese super-fans each night, the Psycho Circus was as evident outside of the venue as it was inside. Dressed to Kill, the kabuki-faced fans from all walks of life joined en force to celebrate this much anticipated event. This KISS Army was more like a KISS family. With lavish costumes and elaborate face make-up, this spectacle was unrivaled by any modern day costume ball. In other words, it’s Cold Gin time again! “Faces of Budokan” puts you front row for the “show” before the show. It’s like “Heavy Metal Parking Lot” with an extra shot of sake and a spicy tuna roll!

“Beyond The Thunder” – Directors: Gregg Ferguson and Kurt Squiers (USA)

Finally, a documentary with balls. How did millions of fans connect with AC/DC? To find out… we asked them. The mission: create a unique film about the fans of one of the greatest bands the world has ever known, AC/DC. The inaugural Heavy Metal Film Festival has been given the unique opportunity to screen 16 minutes of the film for its Los Angeles premiere, as directors Gregg Ferguson and Kurt Squiers are
still battling time to complete the project.

“Death Angel: A Thrashumentary” (Trailer) – Director: Tommy Jones (USA)

This is an exclusive 12-minute trailer to the DVD that will be released in 2012. This film gives the viewer an in-depth look into the mighty DEATH ANGEL, one of the longest-running thrash metal acts from the San Francisco Bay Area known for turning out historic thrash bands such as METALLICA, TESTAMENT and EXODUS. With their classic debut album, “The Ultra-Violence”, nearing its 25th anniversary, DEATH ANGEL has survived a span of 30 years of activity and now was the time to finally tell their story.
Filmed on the “Relentless Retribution” world tour, the film shows the band on the road talking about their career, is cut with “fly-on-the-wall” documentary-style interview footage, and captures their trademarked, high-energy live performances that leaves their fans purged of sweat and adrenaline.

“Capital Metal” – Director: Mohammad Kabeer (India)

“Capital Metal” is a documentary about the local metal scene in New Delhi, India. It features big bands in the scene like THIRD SOVEREIGN and UNDYING INC., as well as little known yet extremely talented bands like PHOBIA and GUILLOTINE. The film focuses on various issues related to the scene, from handling their day jobs and playing metal to how they hold their own in a market dominated by Bollywood. Since no band in Delhi (no matter how popular they are) can play metal to support themselves, they all need a second job. The film was made in eight days with a meager budget of 200 dollars as part of a college project. It is the first metal documentary to be made in India and explores the passion to play music despite all odds and shows us that metal exists outside of Europe and America.

“Las Marimbas Del Infierno” (Marimbas From Hell) by Julio Hernández Cordón will be opening the festival on Thursday evening, March 31.

Advanced tickets to the Heavy Metal Film Festival are now available for purchase via the Downtown Independent Cinema Box Office. Ticket prices will be as
follows:

* $9.00 per film
* $15.00 – opening night screening (includes after-party)
* $33.00 – day pass (Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
* $66.60 – advanced purchase festival pass (ONLY 30 available
at this special price; includes opening night)
* $99.00 –
advanced purchase festival pass (ONLY 100 available; includes opening night)

For more information about volunteering
for this event, please write in to heavymetalfilmfestival@gmail.com.

Visit the Heavy Metal Film Festival online at www.heavymetalff.com.

Original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley will be the featured guest on this coming weekend’s (Saturday, March 26) episode of VH1 Classic‘s “That Metal Show” at 11 p.m. ET/PT.

During his appearance on the program, Frehley tells the story of the time KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons saved him from drowning. Ace Frehley: “I didn’t know Gene was a lifeguard. I actually drowned one day at a Holiday Inn.” (laughs) I’m serious.”

“That Metal Show” co-host Don Jamieson: “Was it after [fellow “That Metal Show” co-host] Eddie‘s [Trunk] wedding. That’s where he got married.” (laughs)

Ace Frehley: “No, this was before, this was in the Seventies. I actually drowned. Everyone else was fucked up, I was fucked up obviously, but everyone else was loaded and I went under. I’m thinking about the ‘Bugs
Bunny’ cartoon where he puts up one finger, and he goes down (laughs) and he puts up two fingers and he goes down. I’m laughing hysterically (laughs) and the next thing you know I’m drowning. Gene pulls me out of the pool and pumps the water out of me. Only later I found out that he was a certified lifeguard when he used to go to college.”

Eddie and Don: “Wow!”

Jim Florentine: “Did he charge you for saving his life?”
(laughs)

Ace Frehley: “That’s a good question.” (laughs)

Check out a clip from the episode
below.