Buzz Aldrin
© AFP/DDP/FileLOS ANGELES (AFP) - Set for December 10-15, the festival, themed "from the abyss to the stars," is an extension of the festival of films based on or in the spirit of Verne's novels, like "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea" and "Around the World in Eighty Days," that has been held in Paris for 15 years.
Organizers, led by legendary US astronaut Buzz Aldrin, presented their plans Friday to Los Angeles officials, saying in a statement that the event would celebrate "the spirit of adventure and the preservation of our planet."
"To explore and preserve our planet is the mission of our festival," said Jean-Christophe Jeauffre, founder of Jules Verne Adventures.
Verne, born in 1823, is considered the father of modern science fiction, for his dozens of adventure books dealing with travel to the center of the earth, below the oceans and outer space.
Many have repeatedly been turned into films or television dramas.
Holding the festival in Los Angeles in December will not interfere with the annual event in France, according to the sponsors.
But they hoped it would catch on in the United States as well.
"For many years now, I have had the privilege of sharing the Jules Verne Adventure Film Festival's contagious spirit of discovery with enthusiastic audiences from all over the world," said Aldrin.
"My wish for those joining us now in Los Angeles is that you, too, will capture that spirit -- and be reminded that life can be an extraordinary voyage for us all, whoever we are, whatever we do."
©AFP