Attending the opening evening of the Fifth Annual Calabasas Film Festival proved a most interesting experience.  The opening cocktail party took place at the Greenleaf Bar & Restaurant, a newcomer to  Calabasas, although it enjoys seven other Southern California locations.
The film schedule opened the evening of the cocktail party, September 15 and extends until Sunday September 16.  Each evening following the film there is a VIP After Party.  Starting as a platform to celebrate film and filmmakers five years ago the Calabasas event has grown and now includes a full day devoted to students who submit shorts/documentaries.  These will be judged by a panel of movie industry personnel.
The Festival has also attracted a large list of local sponsors led by AMA Waterways who is headquartered in Calabasas.
It was a perfect late summer evening for the cocktail event which took place on the patio of Greenleaf and the appetizers served placed on display some of the unique salads, flatbreads, sandwiches  and burgers that grace the restaurant's  menu.
Named Official Selection of the 2018 Calabasas Film Festival is "Women Like Us", a documentary by Dream On Productions, created by Sally Colon-Petree.
The student film program will take place the last day of the Festival.
During the first  evening we  met many interesting people and chatted with Fred Gaines, Mayor of Calabasas, acting as official host and greeter.