SEATTLE, March 19, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Virgin America, a 'next generation' airline, is helping launch the 'next generation' of filmmakers. The trend-setting airline, that launched service to Seattle on March 18th, recently announced its partnership with The Talented Youth and the National Film Festival for Talented Youth, or NFFTY (say "nifty"), happening March 28-30 in Seattle.
NFFTY will feature three exciting days of cutting edge films of all genres created by 21 and under filmmakers.
"We're flying high," says NFFTY Director of Development Todd Girouard, "with Virgin America aboard! It's a great fit on so many levels: Virgin America is inaugurating service to Seattle from San Francisco and LA, there's 'Red', their in-flight entertainment service with video touch screens on every seat and on demand movies, and both VA and NFFTY celebrate creativity and the entrepreneurial spirit."
Virgin America joins other major sponsors such as Volvo Cars of North America, Comcast, State Farm and the Seattle Times in underwriting and enhancing this truly unique film festival.
Virgin America's Vice-President of Marketing Porter Gale says, "We are thrilled to be a part of this unique opportunity. There's really nothing else quite like it in the world that we know of: a serious, full-blown film festival, like a 'Sundance', only for 21 and under filmmakers. The quality and depth of the entries is very impressive." Gale should know. She's an award-winning filmmaker herself. That appreciation coupled with the marketing synergy of the partnership sealed the deal in her mind.
Several of the festivals' filmmakers and other industry professionals are taking advantage of Virgin America's $99 one-way fare from L.A. to Seattle. *
NFFTY is March 28th - 30th, 2008 at the SIFF (Seattle International Film Festival) Cinema, Experience Music Project and Vera Project, all located at the Seattle Center. To learn more, visit www.nffty.org. NFFTY will also serve as a promotional runway for Virgin America's own Seattle event to promote its new Seattle service. On Tuesday, April 8th, Virgin America will host a special Battle of the Bands concert at the Showbox, featuring The Bamboo Shoots.
Virgin America currently flies to seven cities with daily flights from: SFO to LAX, SFO to JFK, SFO to SAN, SFO to IAD, SFO to LAS, LAX to JFK, LAX to IAD and now SFO to SEA.
About Virgin America:
Virgin America is a brand new U.S. airline that will serve as many as 10 cities within a year of operation, and up to 30 cities within five years. Virgin America has no connection to Virgin Atlantic, although Virgin Group (led by Virgin Group Chairman and Founder Sir Richard Branson) is a minority-share investor in the airline. Virgin America's base of operations is San Francisco International Airport's ultra-modern, spacious and convenient International Terminal. The airline's new Airbus A320-family aircraft offer guests interactive in-flight entertainment systems, plugs for laptops and other electronic devices and a host of other innovative features aimed at making flying good again. In Zagat's 2007 Global Airlines Survey of frequent fliers, the airline was ranked #1 among U.S. carriers for quality in First/Business Class and #2 for quality in Main Cabin.
To learn more about this concert event, NFFTY and Virgin America's goal to change the way people fly, visit www.VirginAmerica.com
The Virgin America logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2371
*All Main Cabin fares are one way. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Tickets must be purchased by April 8, 2008. Fares require a 21-day advance purchase. Changes or cancellations can be made for a $40 fee, plus any increase in fare if applicable. Tickets purchased from Virgin America through our reservation call centers will cost an additional $10 per passenger per itinerary. Seats are limited, subject to availability, and may not be available on all flights. Fares, routes, and schedules are subject to change without notice. Fares do not include Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9 each way, September 11th Security Fees of up to $5 each way and a Federal Segment Tax of $3.50 per domestic segment. A segment is a takeoff and landing. Fares will not be honored retroactively or in exchange for any wholly or partially used ticket. The start dates for certain non-stop services are as follows: SFO-Seattle, March 18, 2008; LAX-Seattle, April 8, 2008.