Wednesday, July 31, 2013

LIIFE Awards

Winners take over at LIIFE awards ceremonies

by Kristen Buckley and Colin Hekimian
          1980s brat-pack princess Ally Sheedy (“Breakfast Club,” “St Elmo’s Fire”), who received LIIFE ‘s Humanitarian Award, joined with veteran actor William Sadler (“Shawshank Redemption,” “Iron Man 3”), who received Long Island International Film Expo’s LIIFEtime Creative Achievement Award, to mingle with host actor Kevin Brown (“30 Rock), Anthony Laciura (“Boardwalk Empire”) and Federico Castellucio (“The Sopranos”) to present awards during LIIFE’s annual gala awards ceremony last week at the Bellmore Movies.
          In a twist, host Kevin Brown presented Mr. Castellucio with a Best Director Award for “Checkmate, Keep Your Enemies Closer,” which starred Mr. Sadler. Mr. Castellucio dedicated his award to the late James Gandolfini, star of “The Sopranos.”  Mr. Castelluccio said, “I dedicate this award to two people.  I dedicate it to my cousin who passed away recently and James Gandolfini (Tony Soprano).  He was a great friend, an incredible actor, and a true inspiration.”
          “I am humbled and surprised by this award,” Mr. Castellucio told this newspaper after the win. “I made a good friend in Bill Sadler when shooting the movie. He’s so versatile.”
          He then spoke of his good friend Mr. Gandolfini, saying they worked together on several scenes regularly in “The Sopranos” and that he admired him for his talent. “I saw him twice in the ‘God of Carnage’ [on Broadway] and he was magnificant.”
          “I will greatly miss him,” he concluded.
    Big Long Island winners  
          The big Long Island winners of the evening were “Send No Flowers” and “Tilt of a Rose.” Both films tied for the Best Long Island Film Award.  “Send No Flowers” won two other awards: the Audience Award, which is determined by audience ballots, for local director Fred Carpenter; and Best Actor in a Feature Film, for Russ Camarda.
 
          In his acceptance speech Mr. Carpenter declared that “Send No Flowers” was the “best film, best group of people I’ve ever worked with.” 
          Mr. Camarda praised LIIFE as “one of the best indy film festivals in the world” during his own acceptance speech. “Tilt of a Rose” also won the award for Best Supporting Actor in a Short Film for Matt Heller.
          The shorts and feature from the festival’s opening night won their own awards and nominations. The Belgium short “Bona Nox” was nominated for Best Story in a Short Film and Best Foreign Film. 
          “Bona Nox” lost to the French short film “Time 2 Split” in the latter category. “Wet Behind The Ears” won the Gold Pass Award, which was decided by the festival’s Gold Pass holders, and Best Supporting Actor in a Feature Film for Michael Giese.
          Bellmore resident Leslye Abbey’s documentary “The Buffalo Nation/ Children Are Crying” was nominated for Best Movie Trailer. “Beyond Broken,” a short documentary about a Garden City artist struggling with multiple sclerosis, took home the Best Documentary Award.
    Loosening up
          After the gala, actors, directors and winners all hung around, congratulating one another.
          Writer Lee Kolinsky of “Send No Flowers” told this newspaper “It’s great to see this film get made and to have it taken to this level. The theater was rocking and rolling during the premiere. The support the audience showed was unbelievable.” 
          Added Fred Carpenter, director of “Send No Flowers,” “I was excited that we won the audience award, because that is an award from the crowd and from the people. It was great to win. Long Island is a breeding ground for talent.”
          Mr. Kolinsky and Mr. Carpenter had worked together previously on a film called “The Blue Lizard.”  Mr. Kolinsky said, “It’s a great experience to work with Fred.”
          Upon accepting Winner of the Best Actor award for “Send No Flowers,” Russ Camarda of Lindenhurst remarked that “I’ve been kicking around dark theaters for 20 years now, so its nice to be recognized finally.”
          Mr. Carpenter said, “It’s a great thing that we get to show these films.  I’ve been at this independent filmmaking for a while.  I’ve directed 18 films and this – “Send No Flowers” is my best one.”
          Steve Sage, director of “Bullified”  winner of Best First Film, said, “It felt amazing and unexpected to win Best Firss Film.” On the importance of independent films, he said, “Independents take a lot of blood, sweat and tears.  Our budgets aren’t as big, so each filmmaker has to wear 15 different hats.  The director might have to do the lighting, producing, editing, and lighting.  They aren’t easy.”
          Ally Sheedy went on stage to accept the Humanitarian Award.  Famous for starring in “The Breakfast Club,” “St. Elmo’s Fire,” “WarGames,” Ms. Sheedy now teaches at LaGuardia High School. She runs a shelter for teenage kids and she does work for the LGBT community. The Bellmore Movies donated $500 towards her charity, the Ali Forney Center.
 
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The Bean

Canary and the Cat

perform at The Bean Café
 
          From George Gershwin to George Micheal (and everywhere in between), an evening of jazz, rock, standards, country and more will be served up this Friday, August 2, at The Bellmore Bean Café, 2718 Grand Avenue, by Canary and The Cat.
          Canary and The Cat are Bellmore residents Laura Perdicaro, vocal stylist, and Tony DeStefano, guitarist extraordinaire.
          Silky smooth bluesy versions of ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’ ” by Fats Waller and “Love Her Madly” by the Doors “are very happy to be together in our performances, said Mr. DeStefano. “A great song is a great song,” he said.
          The performance will start at 8 p.m. at the coffee house in the heart of Bellmore.
          A variety of coffees, teas, wine and beer will be available, as well as an assortment of cakes, cookies and pastries.
          Laura and Tony are also host of the weekly Open Muc Night at teh Bellmore Bean every Thursday at 8 p.m.
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Wednesday, July 24, 2013

16th ANNUAL LONG ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM EXPO

(#2013LIIFE)
 
Star-Studded Closing Night Party and Awards Ceremony on July 25, 2013
    Location:
-Buffet Dinner and Entertainment - Filmmaker’s Lounge - Directly West of the Bellmore Movies
-Awards Ceremony - Bellmore Movies, 222 Pettit Avenue, Bellmore, NY 11710
  Schedule:
5:00 PM-7:00 PM - Buffet Dinner and Entertainment by Guitarist/Singer/Songwriter Jerry DeMeo in the Filmmaker’s Lounge
6:20 PM-6:45 PM - Celebrities arrive at Bellmore Movies and are available to the press
6:45 PM - Doors open to Bellmore Movies
7:00 PM-10:00 PM - Awards Ceremony at Bellmore Movies
   
Celebrities Expected to Attend Awards Ceremony Pending Their Schedules:
Kevin Brown (30 Rock) - Host
Ally Sheedy - Awards Ceremony Recipient
Judith Roberts - Awards Ceremony Recipient
William Sadler - Awards Ceremony Recipient
Sean Young - Presenter
Tony LoBianco - Presenter
Federico Castelluccio - Presenter
Anthony Laciura - Presenter
Debra Markowitz
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Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Local indie talent growing through LIIFE

by Kristen Buckley, Colin Hekimian and Danielle Sopchak  
          The Long Island International Film Expo (LIIFE) officially opened its 16th season at the Bellmore Movies last Friday, complete with Long Island celebrities Jackie Martling and Russ Camarda commanding early attention during the 5-7 p.m. reception for independent filmmakers, actors and producers hoping to make inroads into the world of independent filmmaking.
          Mr. Martling, from Bayville, and Mr. Camarda, from Lindenhurst, star, along with Hollywood actors Sean Young, Tony LoBianco and LIIFE favorite Robert Clohessy in Fred Carpenter’s new film “Send No Flowers,” a Mafia mob film that headlined the 9 p.m. time slot.
 
          Mr. Carpenter, director of the heavily anticipated “Send No Flowers,” fielded questions on the red carpet along with Mr. Martling, Michael Lovaglio and Mr. Camarda. 
          Mr. Carpenter told Bellmore Life that Merrick writer Lee Kolinsky came to him with the script and he liked it, moving them to make the movie. Mr. Carpenter, an experienced director anad previous LIIFE award winner, was able to successfully engage the interest of the star-studded cast to join in making the film.
          Mr. Camarda, a two-time LIIFE award winner, is also the editor, executive producer and contributing writer of “Send No Flowers.” He won the top Technical Award for Best Editing and accepted his award saying, “this is the best film festival on the East Coast.”
          Mr. Martling, a veteran Long Island comedian who works on Howard Stern’s Sirius radio show, – and plays a strip club owner in the film – praised the film and Mr. Carmada’s riveting performance in the movie.
          Mr. Martling couldn’t wait to see the film. “I haven’t seen it yet,” said Mr. Martling. “It’s going to be fun.”
          Mr. Camarda frequently collaborates with former Baldwin director Fred Carpenter and was happy to be back on his “home turf,” saying that screening the film on Long Island is “like playing Shea Stadium.”
          Mr. Camarda said, “The quality of the music in this movie is unlike any other independent film.”
          Vincent Nigro, who scored “Send No Flowers” – and who won a technical award for Best Original Score for a Feature Film – owns his own studio in Massapequa. This is his sixth independent film score and each takes about 12 weeks of intense work to create, he told this newspaper.
  Indy encouragement abounds
          The universal opinion of the party revelers was that independent filmmaking provides a tight-knit community experience, especially around the film festival circuit. 
          Director T.J. Collins, who won a LIIFE award in 2009, spoke to Bellmore Life about the growing independent film industry, and what sets it apart. “It’s a very exciting time for independent filmmaking,” noting that the process is longer and allows more freedom to blend genres and serve the story, which he believes to be the most important element of filmmaking.
 
          “In independent film, you can blend genres and the process takes longer so by the time someone is finishes making a film the interests of the audience can change.”
          Because audience interests can change by the time a movie is completed, “It all comes down to how original the story is, because story is the most crucial part of filmmaking,” he remarked.
          He added that the industry is seeing growth because of the emergence of more online outlets where indies can get their films seen.
          Mr. Camarda said that the independent film industry has become an easier entry point for filmmakers to make and send out films, and everybody on an independent film pitches in.
          Joe Pomarico, director of a short film “This is Love,” said that film festivals are “a great way to network with people.”
 
          Jake Lloyd, the writer and director of the short Western film “The Skull Rosary of Frao’ Ranggoh,” told us that filmmakers “tend to see the same people in the indy film circuit,” reinforcing the idea of community and networking in both the independent film industry and the independent film festival circuit.
  Another important theme  
          Another important theme of the evening was the Long Island perspective, since most of the films in LIIFE have either been shot on Long Island or feature filmmakers who are from Long Island or New York.
          “Send No Flowers” was shot in several Long Island locations, including Merrick, Malverne and Old Brookville. 
          Sean Robinson’s short film “The Puritans,” which has already been shown in 30 film festivals around the world, was filmed in Southold because Mr. Robinson was inspired by the town’s hauntingly beautiful setting. 
          Andrew Henriques, the director of the vampire short “Ten Questions,” is from Bellport in which he made the short at his hometown studio.
 
          Nugent Cantileno, the writer/producer/director of the nostalgic 40s-style short film “Tilt of a Rose,” is from Mineola and shot several scenes in his hometown at The Black Sheep Ale House. 
          Many filmmakers have been inspired by Long Island for both aesthetic and personal reasons, a sentiment displayed at the official opening night of the Long Island International Film Expo.
  The old college try  
          Mineola’s Nugent Cantileno and Valley Stream’s Robert La Rosa collaborate on two LIU Post student projects.
          “Tilt of a Rose” is a flapper-filled speakeasy film depicting a 1940’s Old Hollywood scene, in which a down-and-out actress with a bad addiction flashes back to the roaring 20s. Mr. Cantileno and Mr. La Rosa, both film graduates from LIU-Post (formerly C.W. Post) filmed it at LIU Post’s campus and in Mineola.
          The cinematographer, Mark Riou, won the LIIFE Award for Best Cinematographer for “Tilt of a Rose.”  Mr. Riou told Bellmore Life, “To make the movie work, we had to nail the look of the film for people to believe it. I did a lot of research on styles and watched a lot of ’40s movies. To do so, we used eBay, and goodwill for the right clothes.”
          When asked how it felt to win the award, Mr. Riou said, “It’s awesome.  It’s great because I graduated college a year ago and to win an award a year after graduation is amazing.”
          Mr. Riou also did the cinematography for Robert La Rosa and Nugent Cantileno’s film, “End of the Great American Businessman.”  The story concerns a man who is unemployed and is in a “disconnected state and does not know what to do with his life,” says Valley Stream co-director Robert La Rosa. The screenplay is based on the feelings of a father while he was unemployed for two years, giving the story line a local emotional connection to Long Islanders.
          Jeffrey Miller discussed the trailer for Bellmore resident Leslye Abbey's upcoming film “Buffalo Nation/ The Children Are Crying,” for which he is editor.
          The documentary showcases the lives of the Lakota native Indian tribe in South Dakota reservations and the strife they endure. Mr. Miller says that conditions are indeed getting worse and nobody is helping. 
          Mr. Miller remarked, “The kids don’t have a future. The Native Americans were here first and the government is pushing them around.  We hope this movie gets the word out.  We are trying to give a voice to people in need.”
  Music videos, too  
          Actor/producer Camille Saturday is promoting her original music video “Secret Detective.” Filmed in Lindenhurst and Amityville, the video follows a detective who is tricked by three shady women. It is loosely based on a true story.
          Ronda Swindell, Robert Wilson and Al Buksnis performed a music video tribute to “Mr. Bojangles” (Mr. Robinson), an American tap dancer and singer, and actor of stage and film.  He was best known for dancing with Shirley Temple. It is a six-minute short film as well as a mini documentary. 
          It was filmed in Queens, Long Island, and Brooklyn in Cypress Hills cemetery, Forest Park. Mrs. Swindell is the singer of the movie and came up with the idea for the movie. Mr. Busknis is the producer. “The music made that video. It was inspiring to me,” he said.
 
          “Don’t Cry for Me” is an original song by Kyla Silk, a 13-year-old Levittown resident. Three years ago her uncle was diagnosed with cancer and in the hospital for that summer. Kyla’s song and music video, produced by John Iadevaio from Seaford, is a gripping performance about the pain of having a sick loved one.
          Portland native Alexander Fraser was at the film festival to promote his film “Last Train Home.”  It is a music video about the end of a relationship and transition.  Fraser is the director, producer, and editor and the music is modern pop folk.  Fraser said, “It has very beautiful imagery and great music.”
          The closing night party and awards ceremony celebration complete with a buffet, celebrities, winners clips and filmmakers from all over the world will be held on Thursday, July 25.
          This year’s honorees include William Sadler (“Iron Man 3”) and Ally Sheedy (“Breakfast Club”). Presenters include Federico Castellucio (“The Sopranos”) and Robert Clohessy (“Blue Bloods”) with more signing on daily. Celebrities appear schedule permitting, and the line-up could change before the festivities.
 
          For information on the 16th Annual Long Island International Film Expo, go to www.longislandfilm.com or email debfilm@aol.com. Or call 571-3168.
  Kristen Buckley studied film at SUNY Purchase; Colin Hekimian, New York Press Association intern, is studying film at the University of Vermont; and Danielle Sopchak is studying English and music application at University of Tampa.
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Reviews

July 19th, Opening Night
7p.m. Block
            The block opened with a music video for 13-year-old Levittowner Kyla Silk’s song “Don’t Cry for Me,” a modest production shot in Seaford that featured some distinctive creative qualities. A strong singer/songwriter sensibility manages to attract casual listeners as she sings about an omnipresent but always relevant subject: the pain of lost love.
 
          However, the message of the song is clear and uplifting: I’m in a happy place, so don’t cry for me anymore.  It is an easy tune to latch onto, a formidable quality for any piece of musical production. The music video offers an elementary but capable first step forward into the potential career for Kyla Silk.
          The first short film, “Time 2 Split,” from Paris, France, was a brilliant and emotionally poignant representation of separation. Director Fabrice Bracq primary uses split-screen to show the lives of a couple who have split up and share custody of their young child. The short makes tight artistic use of its split-screen and has a deeply satisfying finale.
 
          The second short was a trippy tale of time travel from Belgium titled “Bona Nox,” which deals with a boy in a wheelchair who wants to go back in time to prevent the car accident that disabled him and killed his mother.
 
          The best component of this short is the candid perspective of its young protagonist. Shorts such as these demonstrate how filmmakers tell effective stories in only a fraction of time by removing all filler and focusing on the plot’s most basic elements, letting the story move at a brisk pace.
          The feature of the night was “Wet Behind the Ears,” a light-hearted coming-of-age comedy directed by Sloan Copeland and starring the film’s co-writer Margaret Keane Williams, a likable actress whose energy and charm is reminiscent of Kristin Chenowith. The film is about a recent college graduate who struggles to make a living and gets a job at a local ice cream shop.
 
          The low-budget film was made in two months and shot around East Islip and Manhattan. The film is full of good laughs, enjoyable performances and a hilarious array of subplots and colorful caricatures. 
          “Wet Behind the Ears” emphasizes the benefits of combined amateur and independent filmmaking, making it a most-valued spokesperson for the entire film festival.   
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Westerns ride into town as LIIFE opens for week of film

LIIFE

 
          The Long Island International Film Expo (LIIFE) will hold its 16th annual installment at the historic Bellmore Movies from Wednesday, July 17 through Thursday, July 25. Showing 146 films from around the world, LIIFE will showcase movies from 18 countries, with 36 of the films having Long Island ties and 35 more hailing from New York in general.
          For the first time since the festival moved to the Bellmore Movies from Malverne, traditional American westerns – with horses, tumbleweed n’ dusty cowboys – with get billing.
          “These are good films,” remarked Debra Markowitz, director of the film festival.
          “Dawn of Conviction’ is a gorgeous film,” she continued. “But we also picked them not so much for their western setting, but because they tell a good tale, they are quality films, they are entertaining and they may also provide a message of social or political import.”
          In “Dawn of Conviction,” for example, The London Gang, a group of bandits in the 1880s, wreaks havoc throughout Dakota Territory – and within the gang itself.
          In the movie, co-directors and co-writers Dennis Donovan, Matther Petterson, Patrick Hendrickson and Robert Camisa pose the question about relationships: What is it that keeps people together and what is it that pulls people apart?
          “Dawn of Conviction” will have its world premier as a feature film on Thursday, July 18, during the 5 p.m. block.
  No typical western  
          “Skeleton Canyon” isn’t the typical cowboy western. A retired marshal on the hunt for his dead son replaces a gun-slinging sheriff riding horses through town. Outlaws from the marshal’s past are inevitable in Kenneth Oefelein’s short film.
          “Skeleton Canyons” New York Premier takes place on Friday, July 19, during the 2:30 p.m. block.
          Treasure-chaser Weston Giroux sets out for a second time to find an elusive, legendary relic in Jake Lloyd’s ‘Skull Rosary of Frao’ Ranggoh.” As Mr. Giroux, this “past-his-prime adventurer,” and his less-than-experienced sidekick get closer to the relic – and the truth about what happened during the first attempt of finding the relic is revealed.
          “Skull Rosary of Frao’ Ranggoh” has its New York Premier on Tuesday, July 23, during the noon block.
  Supports independent film
 
          “Nassau County has always been a supporter of independent and studio films, and it’s our pleasure to bring this type of entertainment and cultural opportunity to our constituents,” remarked Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano.
          “LIIFE also provides an opportunity for filmmakers to come and see the types of filming locations Nassau County has to offer whether it be our beaches, mansions, suburban areas and, of course, Gold Coast Studios and Grumman Studios, which are all state-approved movie studios which qualify for the much sought after 30% tax credit.”
          “What makes LIIFE such an important film festival,” said Merokian Debra Markowitz, Nassau County Film Office director, “is not only that we bring rare short and feature-length independent films to the public, but that LIIFE has fostered a growing film community.”
          She said that filmmakers from around the world apply and return year after year to meet old friends and finding new contacts to work with. From local to foreign filmmaker, casting director to actor, producer to director and so on, many lasting connections are made every year, she continued.
          “What’s different is that we actually have three westerns at this year’s LIIFE,” said Ms. Markowitz. “We also have a horror block on Saturday, July 20, at 9:15 p.m. That’s becoming a yearly standard.”
          The festival begins with a traditional film festival warm-up today, July 17, and kicks into high gear on Friday, July 19, with the opening night feature, “Wet Behind the Ears,” by past LIIFE winner Sloan Copeland.
  Stars appear at late Friday opening  
          The late-Friday block is anchored by Fred Carpenter’s “Send No Flowers,” starring Sean Young, Tony LoBianco, Robert Clohessy and Gianni Russo. Ms. Young, Mr. Lo Bianco and Jackie Martling have confirmed they will attend that screening.
          Besides the USA, this year’s films come from France, Belgium, Israel, the Netherlands, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, Poland, Serbia, Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, Africa and Canada.
          LIIFE also has panels on scriptwriting, film distribution and financing, a filmmakers’ breakfast panel and an opening night reception.
          The closing night party and awards ceremony celebration complete with a buffet, celebrities, winners clips and filmmakers from all over the world will be held on Thursday, July 25.
          This year’s honorees include William Sadler (“Iron Man 3”) and Ally Sheedy (“Breakfast Club”). Presenters include Federico Castellucio (“The Sopranos”) and Robert Clohessy (“Blue Bloods”) with more signing on daily.
          Celebrities appear schedule permitting, and the line-up could change before the festivities.
   
For information on the 16th Annual Long Island International Film Expo, go to www.longislandfilm.com or e-mail debfilm@aol.com. Or call 571-3168.
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Tuesday, July 16, 2013

LIIFE Local Ties

Local Film Artists participating in the Long Island International Film Festival

 
AMAGANSETT, NY
The documentary Ocean Keeper directed and produced by Eileen Torpey was shot in Amagansett.
 
ATLANTIC BEACH, NY
The short film (Re) Birth by director/writer/producer/cinematographer J.J. Huckin was filmed in Atlantic Beach.
 
BABYLON/WEST BABYLON, NY
Dino Castelli director/producer/writer of the short film Two Shots is from Babylon.
 
The short film This is Love directed, written and produced by Joe Pomarico was filmed in St. James. Joe Pomarico lives in West Babylon.
 
BAYVILLE, NY
Jackie Martling co-star of Send No Flowers splits his time between Bayville and Manhattan.
 
BELLMORE, NY
Leslye Abbey director/producer of the Buffalo Nation/The Children are Crying trailer is from Bellmore.
 
BELLPORT, NY
The short film Ten Questions director/writer Andrew Henriques lives in Bellport.
 
BROOKVILLE, NY
Us & Them directed, written and produced by Carrie Ferrante, was shot in Brookville.
 
COMMACK, NY
Eddie McGee star of The Human Race and winner of the first season of the television show Big Brother is originally from Commack. He is also in Shifting.
 
DEER PARK, NY
Steven Sage Goldberg director/producer of the short film Bullified and who worked on Send No Flowers is from Deer Park.
 
Jake Lloyd director/writer/co-star of The Skull Rosary of Frao' Ranggoh is originally from Deer Park.
 
Ryan Chatel director/producer/cinematographer/editor of the music videos JPM - Never Stop Me Now and JPM - Matter of Time is from Deer Park.
 
EAST ISLIP, NY
Scenes from Wet Behind the Ears directed, written and produced by Sloan Copeland were shot in East Islip.
 
EAST MEADOW, NY
The short film One Trick Dieter directed and written by Zachary Kerschberg was filmed at the Eisenhower Park Aquatic Center in East Meadow.
 
FARMINGVILLE, NY
The documentary Deputized directed and produced by Susan Hagedorn was shot in Farmingville.
 
GARDEN CITY, NY
The short film A Man Named Bob directed, written and produced by Justin Magaldi was filmed in Garden City.
 
Andrew Morreale director/producer/editor of the documentary Beyond Broken is from Garden City. The film was also shot on Long Island.
 
HICKSVILLE, NY
Danny Diaz director/producer of the documentary The Lost Reunions is originally from Hicksville.
 
HUNTINGTON STATION, NY
RJ Weyant director/producer/production manager/script supervisor/location manager of the short film Lady in Black is from Huntington Station. The majority of the short was shot in the Huntington area and some interiors were filmed in Ronkonkoma.
 
LINDENHURST, NY
Russ Camarda from Lindenhurst, stars in and edited Send No Flowers, and appears in the short filmsTwo Shots and Bullified.
 
LONG BEACH, NY
East Coast Rising directed by Ian Dempsey was shot in Long Beach.
 
MANORVILLE, NY
Eric Striffler director/writer/producer of the short film It Happens Fast is from Manorville.
 
MELVILLE, NY
Hide-and-Seek directed and written by YiFeng Li was shot in Melville.
 
MIDDLE ISLAND, NY
N. Sanjay Singh director/writer/producer of Prelude is from Middle Island. The film was shot in Middle Island and Wading River.
 
MINEOLA, NY
Nugent Cantileno director/writer/producer of the short film Tilt of a Rose is from Mineola. The short was also shot in Mineola. Nugent is the producer of the short film End of the Great American Businessman and production manager of Us & Them.
 
NEW HYDE PARK, NY
Kenneth Oefelein director/writer/co-producer of the short film Skeleton Canyon is from New Hyde Park.
 
OCEANSIDE, NY
Eli Hershko director/writer/producer of Carla is from Oceanside.
 
PATCHOGUE, NY
Jason De Ford director/producer/writer/cinematographer/production designer of the short film A Marvelous Coincidence is from Patchogue. All of the actors are from Long Island and most of the film was shot on Long Island.
 
PORT WASHINGTON, NY
Dan Brennan director of Three Lifetimes and actor in the short film Bullified is from Port Washington.
 
SEAFORD, NY
John ladevaio director/producer of the music video Kyla Silk ‘Don't Cry for Me’ is from Seaford.
 
SHELTER ISLAND, NY
The documentary Shelter Island, directed and produced by Michael Canzoniero, was shot on Shelter Island.
 
SHIRLEY, NY
Fred Carpenter director/producer of Send No Flowers is from Shirley.
 
ST. JAMES
The short film This is Love directed and written by Joe Pomarico was filmed in St. James. Joe Pomarico lives in West Babylon.
 
Barnaby Bright, 'Old Coats' music video was filmed at historic Deepwells Mansion in St. James.
 
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The Great Gatsby (2013): Review

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey McGuire, Carrie Mulligan, and Joel Edgerton

Director: Baz Luhrmann

Synopsis: The film, based on the novel, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, follows the narration of Nick Carraway (McGuire), a war veteran and aspiring writer, as he moves to New York City in the 1920s. While trying to create his new life in the city, he falls into the lavish lifestyle and drama of his millionaire party-throwing neighbor, Jay Gatsby (DiCaprio), introducing him to a completely different outlook on life.

Review:

          Luhrmann brings yet another fantastical and dazzling film that allows the viewer to fully immerse him or herself into the characters’ world. The film stays faithful to Fitzgerald’s novel while incorporating many modern elements and twists, despite the movies 1920s time setting.
 
          This film is visually stunning with its colorful settings and marvelous props. The film’s soundtrack consisted of mostly modern rap songs, like Jay-Z’s famous ‘No Church In The Wild,’ and other modern song covers with a more 1920s feel to help set the mood. Each actor was chosen well and portrayed their character excellently, which made the movie successful and pay tribute to Fitzgerald’s novel. McGuire gives his all in this performance as he goes along with Luhrmann’s modern take on the novel by making Carraway a patient in a sanitarium. Edgerton and Mulligan bring Tom and Daisy Buchanan to life in this film, portraying the couple perfectly as described in the novel.
 
          Although there was a lot of doubt in DiCaprio’s ability of playing the famous and intriguing Gatsby, he brought his all and delivered one of his best performances. He stole the show and really captured the audience’s attention, making everyone want to know more about Gatsby and his past, even though most had read the novel already. DiCaprio was the perfect actor to play Gatsby, not only for his beautifully aging face, but also for his true talent and devotion.
 
          The film was 143 minutes in its entirety. One would think that a film of that length would drag on, but the beautiful settings of the movie mixed with the soundtrack and DiCaprio’s charm helped keep the audience on track and interested throughout the entire film.
 
          The Great Gatsby is a must-see movie, not only because of its A-list cast, but also because of the story it tells. Overall, this film is dazzling, creative, and captivating, making the world fall in love with Fitzgerald’s classic novel all over again.

By Emily Belfiore

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Monday, July 15, 2013

Kolinsky's Opening Night Film at LIIFE

                                                               Kolinsky

Merrick writer premieres with opening-night film at LIIFE

by Colin Hekimian

          Merrick native Lee Kolinsky’s new film will be the blockbuster premiere at the 16th Annual Long Island International Film Expo at the Bellmore Movies at Friday’s July 19 opening ceremonies.
          Scheduled for the coveted 9:30 p.m. slot, “Send No Flowers,” is a thrilling shoot ’em up gangster movie starring Sean Young, Tony Lo Bianco, Robert Clohessy, and Jackie Martling. Directed by Long Island’s own Fred Carpenter, Mr. Kolinsky wrote the screenplay.
Sean Young is a well-known actress known for her roles in “Blade Runner,” “Dune,” “No Way Out” and “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.”
 
          While she has been out of the limelight in recent years, Mr. Carpenter hopes this film will revitalize her career. “We hope this movie does for Sean Young what Pulp Fiction did for John Travolta,” Mr. Carpenter said.
          The film stars Ms. Young as Toni Albano, a mafia princess who must act as the head of the family after her father, played by Tony Lo Bianco, is killed by a rival family in this thrilling shoot ’em up. 
          She takes control with the help of her estranged sister Ava in this revenge tale. Jackie Martling, famous for The Howard Stern Show, plays a seedy club owner.
          Mr. Kolinsky told this newspaper, “Sean Young was great to work with, along with the director Fred Carpenter and the whole crew. Her character, Toni Albano, in “Send No Flowers” has a straightforward, no-nonsense, type-A personality. She really elevated the character and brought the script to life.” 
          But “Send No Flowers” is also a story about two sisters, Toni (Ms. Young) and Ava (Donna DeCianni) continued Mr. Kolinsky. “It’s about their relationship and how a life of crime has affected it.”

Bully pulpit

          Mr. Kolinsky also wrote a short film called “Bullified,” which was filmed in Dix Hills, West Babylon and Melville. The film is described as follows: Since he was 10 years old, Riley Samuel has been bullying, intimidating and exploiting anyone he could to achieve power. Now he must confront his childhood and the choices he’s made after being accused of murder. With the help of criminal psychologist Dr. Staci Brennan, Riley must explore his history and trace back the path to what made him a bully, before receiving his final sentence.
          Both movies were filmed in Baldwin, Merrick, Malverne and Old Brookville.
          “Bullified,” starring Russ Carmada (2009 LIIFE Best Supporting Actor for “The Video Guys,” and 2012 LIFE Best Supporting Actor for “The Night Never Sleeps”) and directed by Steve Sage Goldb, premieres July 23, at 7:45 p.m. The film displays the lasting effects of bullying on a child.
          “Most of the cast and crew are from Long Island,” Mr. Kolinsky said.  “It’s great to be able to show the film in essentially our backyard.”
          Mr. Kolinsky told this newspaper he grew up in Merrick and has lived in both Bellmore and Wantagh. He attended Merrick Avenue Junior High School and Kennedy High School.
          His family owned a local video store, which gave him an insatiable appetite for movies. “I had access to thousands of movies. Those movies gave me the inspiration to want to create a movie of my own.” 
          On working locally on Long Island, Mr. Kolinsky said, "Filming in your hometown is great. You get a chance to be part of the community, film your favorite places and if you need to get a bag of lemons for a scene, it doesn’t hurt to know where the local supermarket is.”
          Mr. Kolinsky’s filmic influences include Clint Eastwood, Sam Peckinpah, Michael Mann, the Coen Brothers, Francis Ford Coppola and John Sturgess.
          When asked about his inspiration to write the film, Mr. Kolinsky responded, “When I wrote the initial story for “Send No Flowers,” I had been watching a lot of mob movies and thought it would be unique to see a women as the head of the crime family.”
          With “Send No Flowers” the opening-night headliner of the LI Film Expo, Mr. Kolinsky adds that, “You can expect some great drama and a lot of action from “Send No Flowers.” It’s gonna’ be a fun one. Tickets are pretty close to selling out. With “Bullified,” you can expect a thriller that offers a message with a twist.”
 

The Long Island International Film Expo starts today and runs through Thursday, July 25.

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Film's 'The Thing'

                                                            Deb Markowitz

Film office director presides over a growing local industry

by Kristen Buckley

          Serving three administrations during her 25-year county tenure, Debra Markowitz, director of the Nassau County Film Office, has steadily increased production of movies, television programs and commercials that are shot in Nassau County, logging over 650 production days and providing over $80 million in economic impact.
 
          Under her tenure, Nassau County has come to rank second in New York State for the amount of documented production days, second only to New York City.
          Ms. Markowitz also serves as vice- president of the Long Island Film/TV Foundation, Long Island’s most established and largest not-for-profit agency dedicated to the support and promotion of independent filmmaking.
          Under her directorship, the foundation spawned the Long Island International Film Expo (LIIFE). The event, now in its 16th year – begun at the Malverne Theatre owned by Ann and Henry Stempful, who also own the Bellmore Movies – enjoys enormous popularity, attracting short and feature-length independent films from around the world. The expo spotlights films made on Long Island and concludes each year with a star-studded award celebration. 
          Ms. Markowitz, who chairs the Nassau County Film Commission, now known as the Nassau County Film Advisory Board, as its executive director, is an ex-officio member of the New York Production Alliance and is a member the Association of Film Commissioners International.
          She is also a freelance writer and novelist. The third book in her trilogy (following “Naked in the Rain” and “Sarah and Caleb”), “Karmic Wind,” is set for release in this year.  For a complete list of her work, visit her site, www.debramarkowitz.com. 
          Ms. Markowitz’s name can be found on the Long Island Press’ Power List, 50 Long Islanders Who Control Our Lives (2003 and 2012); Beverly Fortune’s 52 (2006); as the recipient of the prestigious George M. Estabrook Alumni Award for Distinguished Service (Hofstra University, 2011) and the 2012 Long Island Arts Council honoree as its Outstanding Advocate for the Arts.
          An enthusiastic fellow filmmaker, Ms. Markowitz has acted as casting director, consultant, writer and producer on movie, television and commercial projects individually and with CastingKarma.
          Ms. Markowitz, an avid practitioner of yoga, lives in North Merrick with her partner John Marean, and their daughters. Ms. Markowitz is a proud volunteer at the Save-A-Pet organization.

          This newspaper tracked Ms. Markowitz down during the final hectic weeks before the film expo opens August 17 at the Bellmore Movies to ask a few fitting questions. She graciously answered our request:

How did you become involved with film?

          I’ve always been a film lover. I was the high schooler who would stay up to watch the late show, the late late show, and the late late late show. I took drama at Nassau Community College, but went into business after that.

What is your background in film?

 
          In 1988, I came to work for the County of Nassau as a special assistant to the county executive.  In 1989 I discovered a department called Commerce and Industry and found out that they would do a couple of film permits per year. After doing some research, I put together a proposal explaining how I would increase that number of film permits, and what I would do to make a fully functioning Nassau County Film Office. It was agreed that I could start the Nassau County Film Office.

What has been your most high-profile project to date?

          Hard to quantify my biggest project to date.  “The Blacklist” television series was the most complicated – we needed the assistance and approval of The County Executive Office, the Department of Public Works, The Nassau County Police Department, City of Long Beach Police Department, City of Long Beach, Village of Island Park, Marine Bureau, Aviation Bureau, Coast Guard, Nassau County Arson Squad, Nassau County Bomb Squad, Fire Marshal's office – and I’m sure there were more.Possibly also “Spiderman,” which was supposedly one of the most expensive features ever made.
 

How was the Long Island International Film Expo started?

 
          The Nassau County Film Office started working with the Long Island Film-TV Foundation, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit ground around 1997, and in 1998, the Long Island International Film Expo was born. We started with 40 films, and now show about 150.

Kristen Buckley interns at Bellmore Life after graduating from SUNY-Purchase with a focus in film studies.

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"Movies by the Bay" at Sea Breeze Park

Summer just keeps getting better in Freeport

"Movies by the Bay" at Sea Breeze Park is sponsored by Nautical Mile Festival sponsor, Bethpage Federal Credit Union.

List of movies:

7/12/2013          Despicable Me
7/19/2013          Wreck-it Ralph
7/26/2013          Brave
8/02/2013          Megamind
8/09/2013          We Bought a Zoo
8/16/2013          Oz the Great and Powerful

A limited supply of popcorn will be available

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Friday, July 12, 2013

LIIFE, Darren Press Film Trailer

Theresa Is A Mother

Long Island Film Festival
          The film, THERESA IS A MOTHER, is screening at the Bellmore Theater on July 24th at 5pm during the Long Island Film Festival. Darren Press, Co-Director and Producer's film, recently won BEST FILM at the Amsterdam Film Festival, Orlando Film Festival, Reel Independent Washington DC, and the International Film Festival Manhattan.
          Directors Note: Darren Press's wife, Emmy nominated actress/writer C. Fraser Press wrote the screenplay (Best Screenplay-NYC Indie Film Festival) and stars as Theresa McDermott (Best Actress-Reel Indie Wash DC) along with his three daughters. Mr. Press's oldest daughter Schuyler Iona Press, now 14 y.o. (Best Supporting Actress Nom- Reel Indie Wash DC ) also wrote the film's score and wrote and recorded the main theme song. The movies website is http://theresaisamother.com
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Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Long Island Film Festival (LIIFE)

Long Island International Film Expo

The 16th Annual LIIFE

July 17 – 25, 2012

Bellmore Movies
222 Pettit Avenue
Bellmore, NY 11710
www.longislandfilm.com

Film Festival Warm-Up

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

5:00 p.m. Day 1 Block 1

JPM – Never Stop Me Now (Music Video)     5 minutes
Mr. Spontaneous                                         10 minutes
Act 1 Scene 1                                              13 minutes
Dog Ghost                                                   14 minutes
The First Day                                                14 minutes
The Backup                                                 18 minutes
Two Weeks Tops                                         26 minutes
Her Black Wings                                          29 minutes

2 hours 9 minutes

7:45 p.m. Day 1 Block 2

Horror Story (Music Video)                             3 minutes
Buffalo Nation/The Children are Crying          4 minutes
Secret Detective (Music Video)                      6 minutes
HO HO HO!                                                   6 minutes
Selenophobia                                                7 minutes
The Brazilian                                                  8 minutes
Who is Arvid Pekon?                                   14 minutes
The Tunnel of Love                                      14 minutes
The Sampler                                                15 minutes
Sharp Love, Sharp Kittens                           16 minutes
Idiot                                                             19 minutes
Kink Inc.                                                      27 minutes

2 hours and 19 minutes

Thursday, July 18, 2013

12:00 noon Day 2 Block 1

Mr. Bojangles (Music Video)                         6 minutes
My Day                                                      23 minutes
East Coast Rising                                       24 minutes
A Marvelous Coincidence                           30 minutes
Wars                                                          40 minutes

2 hours 3 minutes

2:30 p.m. Day 2 Block 2

Sinsis                                                           3 minutes
Reclaiming the Spirit                                    7 minutes
Greg’s Guardian Angel                              11 minutes
Robot Man                                                15 minutes
The Dead Experiment                     1 hour 20 minutes

1 hour and 56 minutes

5:00 p.m. Day 2 Block 3

One Trick Dieter                                           8 minutes
Tied Up                                                      29 minutes
Dawn of Conviction                         1 hour 21 minutes

1 Hour 58 minutes

7:45 p.m. Day 2 Block 4

A Long Time Ago (Music Video)                    5 minutes
Lady in Black                                                5 minutes
It Happens Fast                                            6 minutes
Synchronicity                                              10 minutes
A Strange Kind of Love                               14 minutes
Long Shot Louie                              1 hour 27 minutes

2 hours and 7 minutes

Friday, July 19, 2013

Noon Day 3 Block 1

7 a.m.                                                       11 minutes
Prelude                                                     16 minutes
Thursday’s Speaker                       1 hour 23 minutes

1 hour 50 minutes

2:30 pm. Day 3 Block 2

Hide-and-Seek                                            9 minutes
Through the Morning                                   9 minutes
Good Samaritan                                        10 minutes
Skeleton Canyon                                       18 minutes
The Equestrian                                          25 minutes
Island Nurse                                              49 minutes

2 hours

Wine and Cheese Reception – Technical Awards – Filmmakers Lounge (directly West of the Bellmore Movies) – 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – Free for LIIFE 2013 Filmmakers, Gold Pass Holders and Ticket Holders.

OFFICIAL OPENING NIGHT FILM BLOCK

7:00 p.m. Day 3 Block 3

Kyla Silk “Don’t Cry for Me”(Music Video)      4 minutes
Time 2 Split                                                   5 minutes
Bona Nox                                                    14 minutes
Wet Behind the Ears                         1 hour 32 minutes

1 hour 55 minutes

9:30 p.m. Day 3 Block 4

This is Love                                                 13 minutes
Four Simple Rules                                       14 minutes
Send No Flowers                             1 hour 35 minutes

2 hours 2 minutes

Saturday, July 20, 2013

10:30 a.m. – Noon, Panel and Filmmakers Breakfast – Filmmakers Lounge (directly West of the Bellmore Movies) “The Good, the Bad and the Horror Stories: The Perils of Independent Filmmaking.”Moderated by Jim Cook, Spirit Owl Films. General Public $5. 2012 LIIFE Participating Filmmakers – Free.

12:00 Noon – 12:45 p.m.

“Write Stuff” Panel on Scriptwriting – Filmmakers Lounge – Free

Saturday, July 20, 2013

1:15 p.m. Day 4 Block 1

Once Upon a Time                                         5 minutes
Good Dog                                                    15 minutes
A Man Named Bob                                      15 minutes
Three Lifetimes                                            15 minutes
A Rainy Day for Earthworms                        16 minutes
Maybe Later                                                18 minutes
Birthplace                                                    22 minutes
Titanic Love                                                 23 minutes

2 hours and 9 minutes

4:00 p.m. Day 4 Block 2

Sides                                                            7 minutes
Frames                                                       22 minutes
Me, You and Five Bucks                  1 hour 33 minutes

2 hours and 2 minutes

6:45 p.m. Day 4 Block 3

Pawnshop Express (Movie Trailer)                 2 minutes
The Painted Girl                                            9 minutes
Things I Don’t Understand               1 hour 51 minutes

2 hours 2 minutes

9:15 p.m. Day 4 Block 4

Horror Block
The Clear (Movie Trailer)                                3 minutes
Jack Attack                                                   9 minutes
Ten Questions                                             12 minutes
For Clearer Skies                                         14 minutes
Town Red                                                   21 minutes
The Human Race                             1 hour 27 minutes

2 hours 26 minutes

Sunday, July 21, 2013

12:00 Noon – 1:30 p.m. Film Financing/Distribution Panel – “Hear Industry Professionals Discuss the Current State of Independent Film Financing and Distribution ” – Moderated by Marc Jacobson, Marc Jacobson, P.C. - Filmmakers Lounge - Free

1:45 p.m. Day 5 Block 1

The Tale of Paris Echo Gold&nsbp                 7 minutes
Tilt of a Rose                                                14 minutes
Spaghetti for Two                                         19 minutes
The Face                                                      20 minutes
Refuge: Stories of the Selfhelp Home             1 hour

2 hours

Sunday, July 21, 2013

4:15 p.m. Day 5 Block 2

Waiting for Godot (Music Video)                    5 minutes
Alternate Sides                                            11 minutes
Posey                                                          22 minutes
Black and White Lines                                 25 minutes
Lucky Express                                            60 minutes

2 hours and 3 minutes

6:45 p.m. Day 5 Block 3

Caroline Bauer –Last Train Home.                7 minutes
Genre                                                           8 minutes
PDA                                                             8 minutes
Naked: A Musical Short Film                      12 minutes
Winter Storm                                             15 minutes
Shifting                                                      17 minutes
The Puritans                                              25 minutes
Crackers                                                   31 minutes

2 hours and 3 minutes

Sunday, July 21, 2013

9:15 p.m. Day 5 Block 4

JPM – Matter of Time                                4 minutes
Two Shots                                              17 minutes
Brighton                                                 27 minutes
Carla                                           1 hour 20 minutes

2 hours 8 minutes

Monday, July 22, 2013

12:00 noon Day 6 Block 1

Cirque Invisible                                     10 minutes
Fable                                                    14 minutes
The Feed                                              15 minutes
Shelter Island                            1 hour 18 minutes

1 hour 57 minutes

2:30 p.m. Day 6 Block 2

Robert Box – Perfect for the Kitchen      5 minutes
Crisalida                                                 8 minutes
Blue Train                                             18 minutes
Deputized                                  1 hour 26 minutes

1 hour 57 minutes

5:00 p.m. Day 6 Block 3

Out of Service                                      13 minutes
My Friend Charlie Whight                     13 minutes
Prudence Pecker                                 15 minutes
The Coin Bearer (Oros)                          1 hour 21 minutes

2 hours 2 minutes

Monday, July 22, 2013

7:45 p.m. Day 6 Block 4

Freckle (Music Video)                            5 minutes
Seventeen Hours In                            14 minutes
Odessa                                               15 minutes
Coriolis Effect                                      33 minutes
Twenty Million People               1 hour 15 minutes

2 hours 22 minutes

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

12:00 noon Day 7 Block 1

Puncture                                                5 minutes 
AMOK                                                  14 minutes
Skull Rosary of Frao’Ranggoh              37 minutes
Miro & Josef                                           1 hour

1 hour 56 minutes

2:30 p.m. Day 7 Block 2

Breathe                                                 6 minutes
Strain                                                  11 minutes
End of the Great American Businessman 19 minutes
April’s Fool                                          21 minutes
Finnigan’s War                                    54 minutes

1 hour 51 minutes

5:00 p.m. Day 7 Block 3

(Re)Birth                                             14 minutes
Goodbye, Sweetheart                        14 minutes
I Spy With My Little Eye                      15 minutes
Product Pain                                      15 minutes
Us & Them                                1 hour 7 minutes

2 hours and 5 minutes

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

7:45 p.m. Day 7 Block 4

Syler “All for Leyna” (Music Video)        6 minutes
The Palace                                         11 minutes
Girls Named Pinky                              17 minutes
Bullified                                               29 minutes
Azooma                                   1 hour 15 minutes

2 hours 18 minutes

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

12:00 Noon Day 8 Block 1

Smell No Taste                                   12 minutes
Little by Little                                      16 minutes
At the Corner of 3rd and 3rd              21 minutes
The Lost Reunions                  1 hour 14 minutes

2 hours 3 minutes

2:30 p.m. Day 8 Block 2

Beyond Broken                                  39 minutes
Fambul Tok                             1 hour 23 minutes

2 hours 2 minutes

5:00 p.m. Day 8 Block 3

Dr. Gutman’s Eulogy                         18 minutes
Theresa is a Mother               1 hour 42 minutes

2 hours

Closing Night Film Block

7:45 p.m. Day 8 Block 4

You’re It                                              3 minutes
Barnaby Bright, “Old Coats”                5 minutes
Checkmate, Keep Your Enemies Closer 16 minutes
The Fix                                              18 minutes
Ocean Keeper                                   27 minutes
The Cold Heart  (Wilhelm Hauff)         30 minutes

1 hour 39 minutes

Thursday, July 25, 2013

CLOSING NIGHT PARTY

Buffet in the Filmmakers Lounge – 5:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. Entertainment and Awards Ceremony – 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. $55 General Admission, $45 for participating filmmakers and Gold Pass Holders.

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Tuesday, July 2, 2013

The Hamptons International Film Festival

Continues their SummerDocs Series with GASLAND PART II

WHO | Director Josh Fox, The New York Times' Andrew Revkin, environmental reporter Karl Grossman, Series Presenter Alec Baldwin, HIFF Director Anne Chaisson, HIFF Artistic Director David Nugent ... additional TBA.

WHEN | Friday, July 5th

WHERE | Guild Hall | 158 Main Street, East Hampton NY

TIME | Red Carpet: 7:45PM | Screening: at 8:00PM

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