An honorary society of motion picture editors founded in 1950, the American Cinema Editors (ACE) are a collection of film editors that are voted into the group. Membership is contingent on their professional achievements and commitment to the craft of editing, which makes it a virtual “who’s who” among editors.

Since 2008 they’ve produced EditFest, a unique day of sessions and conversation where post novices and veterans get together to engage with the industry’s leading editors. It gives attendees a chance to hear editors talk about their projects and also interact with the community in an intimate setting.

EditFest Los Angeles 2015 gave its 300+ audience an energetic and enlightening experience with panels that included “From the Cutting Room to the Red Carpet,” “The Lean Forward Moment,” and “From Comic Books to Blockbusters.” The day featured more than 16 editors, sharing perspectives and experiences. The impressive list includes Oscar®winner Tom Cross, ACE (Whiplash,) Fred Raskin, ACE (Hateful 8, Guardians of the Galaxy,) Catherine Haight, ACE, (Transparent,) Dough Blush (Twenty Feet From Stardom,) Jonathna Chiblnall (Daredevil,)Lisa Lassek (Avengers,) Vashi Nedomansky ,(That Which I Love Destroys Me,) John Venzon, (South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut,) Wyatt Smith, ACE, ( Into the Woods) Elisa Bonora, ACE (Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me) and more.

The full day of panels was packed with compelling insider insights from the noteworthy editors, who connected with an enthusiastic audience. The legendary Arthur Schmidt (Back to the Future, Castaway) shared his perspective from many projects in a one on one conversation with author Bobbie O’Steen.

EditFest 2015 was hosted at Disney Studios, held in the historic Main Theater in Burbank, CA. Discussions ranged from the creative process of Memento’s Dody Dorn to the workflow of upcoming projects for the latest comic book flicks from Ant Man’s Dan Lebental and Colby Parker.

To conclude the event, Dopey Drive was filled with all the panelists and attendees where they gathered to meet and converse over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. EditFest also tours to London and is sponsored by Blackmagic Design, Avid, and Adobe.

If you missed out, the dates for EditFest 2016 will be announced shortly, so stay tuned. In the meantime, check out a few more pictures from the event.

From the Cutting Room to the Red Carpet Panelists: Heim, Bonora, Cross, Haight and Smith

From Comic Books to Blockbusters Panellists: Krulik, Chibnall, Lassek, Lebental, Parker, Raskin

Lean Forward Panel: Hollyn, Blush, Dorn, Nedomansky, Venzon

Arthur Schmidt and Bobbie O’Steen share a laugh