James Franco: From Venice to Comedy Central to El Portal James Franco, seen here at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday night, will be feted Friday at the 17th Playhouse West Film Festival in North Hollywood. Gareth Cattermole / August 31, 2013 By Susan King September 1, 2013, 1:35 p.m. It's a hectic week for James Franco. But then again, what week isn't? On Saturday, Franco premiered his latest directorial effort, "Child of God," at the Venice International Film Festival, and on Sunday he was back on the red carpet there for the screening of "Palo Alto," Gia Coppola's film in which he stars. Then on Labor Day evening, Comedy Central is airing its roast of the actor/director/poet/artist/novelist that was taped on Aug. 25. And on Friday, the Playhouse West Film Festival is presenting "An Evening with James Franco and Jim Parrack" as its opening-night event at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood. Franco and Parrack, who played Hoyt on "True Blood" and appears in "Child of God," are alumni of the Playhouse West acting school, which was founded by Robert Carnegie and Jeff Goldblum in 1981. Other actors who have studied at Playhouse West include Ashley Judd, Jim Carrey, Michelle Pfieffer and Kirsten Bell. The 17th edition of the festival continues through Sunday and will feature several short film programs, the feature film "Daisy's" and an awards ceremony Sunday evening.