Since its debut in 1995, the Temecula Valley International Film & Music Festival has managed to bring film fanatics, and music mavens together for a fun-filled weekend of entertainment.

While each year has brought new talent to the forefront, this weekend attendants can expect a little something extra.

Now, in its 13th year of existence, the Temecula Valley International Film & Music Festival has a surprise in store for attendants: a special performance by Chino Hills-based recording artists, A Static Lullaby.

"Since we primarily have unsigned, independent artists in our line-up, we wanted to have a band with a following," said Jo Moulton, Director of the 2007 Temecula Valley International Film & Music Festival. "A Static Lullaby fit that mold. We hope they draw in a younger crowd to blend in with our established, more adult attendees."

While A Static Lullaby are certain to be a big draw for attendants, they are just one of the many performers who will grace the festival's stage over two days. Other artists set to perform come from all over the world, and each brings their own je ne sais quois that make interesting additions to the lineup.

Each performer was selected based on their live performances, and recorded submissions. But getting on the bill was not as easy as one may think. Criteria included appeal, presence, vocals, musicianship, and originality.

The final lineup left Moulton with Shannon Curtis, Second Movement, The Cons, Michael Tiernan, MiGGs, and The Divine Madness performing on Friday and Kandace Ferrel, Ghost, Lemon Sun, After Midnight Project, Tim Miller, Mr. Majestic, David Thiele, Jupiter and A Static Lullaby onstage Saturday night.

"Michael Tiernan is a singer/songwriter from San Diego," Moulton said. "He's a very talented and tenacious artist with self-produced, and self-released albums. Lemon Sun are simply very, very good."

But some performers, like David Thiele have a little background experience with the festival, and have used it to further their careers in their chosen fields.

"David Thiele is one of the many success stories at the (the festival)," Moulton said. "David played a KBH/TVIF&MF showcase as a soloist. His songs, voice, and delivery in this performance caught the attention of the panelists and KBH Entertainment. He was asked to play another showcase later in the year with a full band. It was during this performance that New Land Music -- a new record label who had earlier reviewed his self-produced material -- made the decision to sign David to a multi-album deal. Since then, he has recorded an album entitled 'Beautiful Mess,' which will be distributed via RED (Sony/BMG) at the beginning of 2008."

Putting a festival together is not all fun and games, however. While film and music submissions are not accepted until the first of the year, the process begins to take place in October -- less then a month after the Festival debuts -- and continues for almost a year, swinging into high-gear around May.

At the moment, sonicbids.com -- which is the festival's electronic submission partner -- is the main source for artist selections. Through this site, interested artists and filmmakers may begin submitting their entries in February of each year. The festival review staff will then evaluate and critique them until they have chosen who fits the bill the best. However, over the last couple of years, some changes have taken place.

"In 2005, the KBH/TVIF&MF Showcase Series in Los Angeles was launched," Moulton said. "These showcases have become extremely popular in the L.A. music community and beyond. Occurring twice a month, each showcase has members of the (the festival) industry panel in attendance."

Panelists consist of people from all over Los Angeles, who happen to be affiliated with the entertainment industry. They include A&R executives, journalists, entertainment attorneys, producers, music licensers, publishers, and music supervisors. Together, these people work to locate talented music artists based, primarily, on live performances.

"Artists that have performed in KBH/TVIF&MF showcases have found opportunities other than being selected to the TVIFF, such as publishing deals, recording deals, music placements, and company endorsements," Moulton said. "The 2008 season of this showcase series begins Sept. 26 at The Mint in Los Angeles; gearing up to select artists for next year's (festival)."

Being a festival participant is not a simple task. According to Moulton, most of those involved with the festival work full-time jobs year-round, in addition to participating with the festivities.

"We have done the festival since 1995," she said. "Almost everyone that I bring in to help with both core film or music program content are, for the most part, film or music industry professionals. Most of us do not just do this festival. We do other projects, from films to television and commercials to various concerts/stage/theater productions."

While the music component was not added to the Temecula Valley International Film & Music Festival until 2001, Moulton feels that it is one of the most important additions to the entertainment-laced production.

"The primary intent of adding the MusicFest component to the Festival is to create an environment and opportunity for filmmakers and music artists to meet and collaborate," she said. "Music is such an integral part of film, and music artists need to be made aware that there are many entities that they need to expose their music to -- television, commercials, and, of course, film projects."

Moulton describes the creation of the Music Fest as a way to bring bands out of the woodwork, to showcase their music, without turning the competition into a battle of the bands type of project. To make this clear, a Career Achievement Award for music artists who have made significant contributions to music, or film composers was added into the mix.

"We were very fortunate to have (the late) Ray Charles as the first one to sign on," Moulton said. "And, as they say, the rest is history. Ray Charles' participation gave the Music Fest component of the festival credibility and respectability."

For now, Moulton just wants to concentrate on bringing a diverse line-up that attendants can appreciate and enjoy, to the forefront. According to her, that's what all the hard work is for.

Temecula Valley International Film & Music Festival

When: Friday and Saturday evening

Where: Tower Plaza Courtyard, Temecula

Tickets: $15 for film and music pass

Info: (951) 699-5514

Web: tviff.com

Music Schedule

FRIDAY

SHANNON CURTIS

7 p.m.

When she was 7, her piano teacher told her she played like a boy. Today, Curtis still kills her piano and delivers a vocal performance that is, in her signature style, intimate and powerful. The Los Angeles Times described Curtis as a "beautiful piano player who sounds like the love child of Fiona Apple and Norah Jones." As a performer, she endears her audience with her affable charm and humor. As a songwriter, she is candid and unafraid.

MICHAEL TIERNAN

7:35 p.m.

It's hard to believe that just a few years ago Michael was a young seminarian studying at the Vatican, raising the ire of his superiors by playing gigs in the Italian pubs. Just a year away from being ordained, Tiernan left that calling for a higher one: his life long love for music. Today, he's one of West Coast's hottest performers. Drawing comparisons ranging from James Taylor to Counting Crows to Woodie Guthrie, his music is a unique brand of acoustic guitar-centric blending of folk, rock, pop, soul and bluegrass.

SECOND MOVEMENT

8:05 p.m.

Formed in 2003, this jazz-funk 5-pc band from New York City has emerged as an energetic and original voice within the jazz and jamband scenes. Second Movement's mission is to create music that lends itself to a danceable environment. It's no coincidence their hard-driving funky jazz sound works the groove to fill the dance floor with bopping bodies! Second Movement's music is the kind that must be heard and experience in a live setting. The compositional detail, the rhythmic focus, the burning solos -- everything you hear on their recordings take on an even greater intensity during their live shows. The result is deeply gratifying, if not ecstatic -- an exchange of positive, creative energies on a fundamental human level.

MIGGS

8:35 p.m.

One of San Francisco's top indie bands, MiGGS blends musical genres and moves from alt/rock to emo to pop and classic melodic rock with grace and ease. Heartfelt lyrics, memorable live shows, catchy hooks, and vocal harmonies captivate MiGGS fans everywhere.

THE CONS

9:05 p.m.

With their matching modish tailored suits, combined with bright, layered vocals reminiscent of the British Invasion sound of the 60's and early American art/punk rock of the Velvet underground, The Cons play their music with a confident, classic undeniable vibe.

THE DIVINE MADNESS

9:35 p.m.

A cinematic Rock/Goth with style, Divine Madness draws its inspiration from such diverse influences as 80's New Wave, Brit Rock, classical music, and film composers such as Danny Elfman. They have carved out a distinct sound of angelic vocals with epic choruses, cinematic alt/rock/classical instrumentation, electronic touches and a sensual gothic feel.

SATURDAY

KANDACE FERREL

6:30 p.m.

This 19 year old is the complete package. She can write, play the guitar, keyboards, and without a doubt, she can belt out songs like there's no tomorrow. With powerful pipes, aggressive tunes, and sophisticated instrumentation, Kandace delivers with incredible stage presence wherever she performs.

TIM MILLER

7 p.m.

Texan native Tim Miller learned to play the flute when he was in fifth grade. In sixth grade, he got bored with the flute and switched to guitar. He wrote his first song in eighth grade. He hasn't stopped writing, performing, and delighting audiences with fresh original music since.

GHOST

7:35 p.m.

Ghost's eclectic mix of ultra funk, soul and hip hop, combined with their full throttle, in your face performances, no doubt has set ablaze their string of sold out shows in Los Angeles's The Gig, The Viper Room, the Whiskey, The Key Club, and more.

MR. MAJESTIC

8:05 p.m.

Music is life. For Majestic, that saying couldn't be more than true. Influenced by Dennis Brown, Bob Marley and his aunt, Music has always been a part of this Jamaican native's life. Majestic describes his music as an upbeat Roots Reggae Vibe with a fusion of Hip Hop, R&B and Rock.

LEMON SUN

8:35 p.m.

Lemon Sun entwine a mÈlange of glamourous rock and roll, the innovation of indie rock, a rush of Motown soul, and whimsical tinges of psychedelia. This 3-lads and a gal 4-piece Los Angeles based band has steadily built a name and following for their energetic brand of rock and roll. With their toe tapping vocal harmonies and catchy hooks, Lemon Sun carries and wears that elusive and enviable natural x-factor down pat!

DAVID THIELE

9:05 p.m.

A Chicago native, David migrated to L.A. in 2003 to pursue a music career. Since then, he's self-produced his own album, won multiple songwriting awards, placed music on network TV shows (Cold Case, High School Reunion, etc.) and was named one of Music Connection's "Hottest Unsigned Artists" two years in a row. David's work in Nashville writing songs for BMG Publishing helped hone his craft for writing tasteful melodies and heart gripping hooks. In the fall, he will be debuting his first major label album, "Beautiful Mess."

AFTER MIDNIGHT PROJECT

9:35 p.m.

Formed in 2004, this 5-piece band has not looked back. Jason, TJ, Dan, Christian, and Spencer come together to mesh an intriguing combination of pop, soul, and rock that have created comparisons to Incubus, Nine Inch Nails, and Smashing Pumpkins. 2006 was a phenomenal year for AMP, what with ringtone deals and music licensed by ABC, MTV, and NBC, in addition to a single licensed to X-BOX video game "Prey," with 2.2 million gamers rocking to their music.

JUPITER

10:05 p.m.

While the alternative rock and pop rock influence can be heard from this five-piece band, their rich textured lyrics and great vocals combined are what makes Jupiter's sound garner them U-2-meets-Depeche Mode comparisons. Jordan, Evan, Aaron, Jimmy and Ken -- all together as Jupiter, have created powerful and fresh blend of rock and pop.

A STATIC LULLABY

10:25 p.m.

The intense, explosive, hardcore alternative hard rock quintet from Chino Hills closes the music portion of the festival with a special performance.