BIFF Welcomes Popular TV Stars

Special guests have been announced for the Big Island Film Festival, scheduled for May 21-25. Actress Arielle Kebbel, known as Lexi from “The Vampire Diaries,” and actor Will Estes, known as Officer Jamie Reagan from “Blue Bloods,” will be in attendance during the 10^th annual festival, held at The Fairmont Orchid.

Also featured at the event will be the new Rough Rider trio, made up of legendary local musicians John Cruz, Brother Noland, and Henry Kapono. The trio will make its Big Island debut during the BIFF’s Best of the Fest wrap-up on Monday, May 25.

Beginning her acting career with “CSI” in 2003, Kebbel later continued with acting roles in “Gillmore Girls,” “Life Unexpected,” and “90210.” The 30-year-old actress then took the role of Lexi in “The Vampire Diaries.” At the current time, Kebbel is working on “Ballers,” a new HBO series with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson about professional football.

On “Blue Bloods,” Estes, 36, co-stars as Officer Jamie Reagan, the son of Police Commissioner Frank Reagan, played by Tom Selleck. When Estes was six-years-old, he began his career on “Santa Barbara.” In 1989, he stared in “The New Lassie” under his real name, Will Nipper. After getting an early start to his acting career, Estes went on to have roles in “Kirk,” “Full House,” and a variety of others, including most recently “The Dark Knight Rises.”

The public is invited on May 23 and May 24 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., to attend exclusive soirées in honor of Kebbel and Estes. The event will begin in the Lehua Theatre at The Fairmont Orchid, where a video will highlight the actors’ careers. An in-depth interview will take place, along with a question and answer segment. Following the indoor portion of the event, attendees can stroll the Wailana Gardens for a reception. Tickets to the event are $35.

Kebbel and Estes also plan to attend the Golden Honu Awards Brunch on Monday, May 25 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at The Fairmont Orchid’s Kilohana Room. The event is open to the public and includes a brunch buffet and beverages. During the brunch, winning films and Audience Choice Feature and Short awards will be announced. Cost of the brunch is $50 and advanced reservations are required.

Audience Choice films will be presented during the Best of the Fest event.

The weeklong BIFF also includes free family films at The Shops at Mauna Lani, daytime movies in the Lehua Theatre, and nightly double features at The Fairmont Orchid Plantation Estate.

For a complete schedule, as well as additional information and tickets, visit the BIFF website or call 883-0394.