Demi Lovato Helps Transform Culver City Into Smurfs Village

Demi Lovato at World Premiere of  “Smurfs: The Lost Village” held at ArcLight Culver in Culver City, CA, April 1, 2017. © 2017 Joseph Martinez/ Picturelux – All Rights Reserved.

It was indeed a special occasion as Culver City hosted its first-ever World Premiere of a Motion Picture. As one of the many events planned throughout the year marking Culver City’s centennial, the stars gathered at the ArcLight Culver City Theater this past Saturday morning (April 1, 2017) to launch the third installment of the beloved animated Smurfs franchise. It all makes perfect sense as this (Culver City) is the home of Sony Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation. In honor of the occasion, the city was declared to be America’s Official Smurfs Village, with a street renamed ‘Smurfs Lane’ for the day.

Culver City dignitaries including Mayor Jim Clarke, Police Chief Scott Bixby and Fire Battalion Chief Rob Kohlhepp as well as students from across Culver City Unified School District were in attendance as stars arrived on the blue carpet riding an appropriately outfitted Starline “Smurf” Bus.

Kristine Belson, president of Sony Pictures Animation, said on Friday prior to the event, “Culver City is home to Sony Pictures – we shop locally and eat at all the amazing restaurants throughout Culver City; we participate in community and volunteer events; and have initiated and sustained many programs that support Culver City schools and the community.  We could not be more thrilled to be part of what makes Culver City a great place to live and work – and tomorrow’s celebration is a wonderful way for us all to come together.”

Culver City Mayor Jim Clarke added, “We’re proud of our neighbors at Sony Pictures, who have always proven to be wonderful members of our community – we’re grateful for their donation and thrilled to be celebrating the World Premiere of Smurfs: The Lost Village with them.  Culver City has been the Heart of Screenland for 100 years, and in that time, so many classic movies have been filmed here, but tomorrow will be the very first time that we have been honored to host a World Premiere.  This event is a special occasion for us.”

As part of the celebration, Sony Pictures Animation made a donation to the Culver City Department of Parks and Recreation.  The theme of the premiere, “Give Back to Your Village,” follows the Smurfs’ timeless messages of peace and living in harmony.

Cast members including Demi Lovato, Ariel Winter, Meghan Trainor, Joe Manganiello, Jack McBrayer, Danny Pudi and Jeff Dunham also enjoyed the Smurfs Village which was set up right next to The Culver Hotel.

About “Smurfs: The Lost Village”

In this fully animated, all-new take on the Smurfs, a mysterious map sets Smurfette and her best friends Brainy, Clumsy and Hefty on an exciting and thrilling race through the Forbidden Forest filled with magical creatures to find a mysterious lost village before the evil wizard Gargamel does.  Embarking on a rollercoaster journey full of action and danger, the Smurfs are on a course that leads to the discovery of the biggest secret in Smurf history! The feature is directed by Kelly Asbury, produced by Jordan Kerner and Mary Ellen Bauder Andrews, and written by Stacey Harman and Pamela Ribon, based on the characters and works of Peyo.

The film opens nationwide April 7, 2017.

Photos © 2017 Joseph Martinez/ Picturelux – All Rights Reserved.