(Long Island, N.Y.) The Long Island Film TV Foundation and the Nassau County Film Commission supporting the Long Island International Film Expo was held at the Bellmore Movies from July 7th through July 14th, 2011. Past festivals have hosted from fifty to one hundred fifty five shorts and feature-length independent films from all over the world during the course of the entire week the film festival runs.
All film genres are considered during the submission process. A schedule of films and their synopses was also available to all those who participated in the event.
The Long Island International Film Expo always begins with the opening night party that is by invitation only. Participating directors, producers, filmmakers, sponsors, dignitaries, board members, press, media, and ticket holders are invited to this informal gathering to network, enjoy and participate in the festival’s celebration.
During the course of the festival several panels are held usually consisting of a distribution panel, a script writing panel, legal music panel and a filmmaker panel and breakfast.
Once the winners of the Long Island International Film Expo have been selected by a combination of audience ballot and judging committee, they are honored at the Long Island International Film Expo Closing Night Party and Awards Ceremony. At this event selected nominees receive their trophies and winners’ prizes which vary from year to year and include cash prizes, free editing time, DVDs, free rentals of lights and other promotional perks. The closing party and awards ceremony was held on Thursday, July 14th, 2011.
Formats for screening during the festival include 35 mm, MiniDV, DV Cam and DVD (all NTSC). Long Island Film Expo caters to filmmakers with top of the line projection equipment, so their video screenings have the highest screening quality. They also have a script writing competition.
Some of the categories awarded include: Best Director, Best Story, Best Feature Film (in 35 mm and Video), Best Short Film (in 35 mm and Video), Best Long Island Film, Best Student Film, Best Animation, Best Foreign Film, Technical and special categories. This year there were several technical and special categories judged before the film festival by special entry. Technical categories included: Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction and Best Lighting. The technical awards were presented on Friday, July 8th, 2011 at the opening night party. Special awards (acting and supporting roles) were given out during the closing party on Thursday, July 14th, 2011 at the Filmmakers Lounge directly West of the Bellmore Movies.
Past festivals/closing night awards ceremonies have been attended by Steve Buscemi “Trees Lounge, Armageddon,” Billy Baldwin “Backdraft,” Cliff Robertson “Charley, PT109,” Danny Aiello “Moonstruck,” Edie Falco “The Sopranos,” Judy Berlin, Steve Guttenberg “Cocoon,” Ralph Macchio “The Karate Kid,” Kelly Rutherford “Melrose Place,” Oleg Cassini “fashion designer,” Karen Allen “Raiders of the Lost Arc,” “The Perfect Storm,” Eddie McGee “Big Brother,” Brian O’Halloran “Clerks,” Dan Lauria “The Wonder Years,” Abe Vigoda “Barney Miller,” Yancy Butler “Witchblade,” Tony Lo Bianco “Police Story,” Nestor Serrano “24,” Nikki Blonsky “Hairspray,” Kevin Covais “American Idol,” Adam Ferrara “Rescue Me,” and Cathy Moriarty “Raging Bull.”
At the event I had a chance to interview President/Chairman Bob Hansen who remarked “The event gets bigger and bigger each year.”
Bellmore Filmmaker Sal Del Giudice was honored with the top award for “Best Long Island Film” on July 14th at the Long Island International Film Expo at the Bellmore Theater and Actor, Filmmaker and Director Ed Burns received the Creative Achievement award during the awards ceremony.
For more information please visit www.liifilmexpo.com.
Bay Street Theatre continues its twenty year celebration with the Rock the Dock Summer Gala Benefit Bash on the Long Wharf in Sag Harbor this past Saturday on July 16th, 2011. The event is the Hamptons only waterfront gala set against the glamorous backdrop of Sag Harbor’s sunset-drenched bay, fabulous eateries, luxury yachts and pristine waterways.
The evening was hosted by Actor Chris Bauer from HBO’s hit TV Series “True Blood” and Actor Richard Kind from “Spin City,” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” The festive fundraiser kicked off with cocktails and delicious hors d’oeuvres while temptations were abound at both the silent and live auctions. Guests enjoyed a sit-down dinner catered by Sterling Affair Caterers. Guests and supporters enjoyed music and entertainment provided by celebrity DJ Tom Finn, named “The King of Spin” by Avenue Magazine. Finn has kept the dance floor bustling at fabulous parties including the MTV Music Awards, Oprah’s 50th Birthday Party, and even The White House Millennium Bash. Guests enjoyed a special performance by the urban dance and percussion troupe, The Street Beats Group. Cast members have performed in STOMP, TAPDOGS, “Saturday Night Live,” and “MTV.”
Funnyman Richard Kind served as Guest Auctioneer for the Live “Fantasy” Auction. Items included a one week stay for eight in your own luxury villa in St Bart’s provided by Wimco; a walk on role in “Enter Laughing” The Musical at Bay Street Theatre in August; opening night tickets and afterparty for Broadway’s 2012 production of “Evita” with Ricky Martin; golf with Richard Kind at The Bridge and so much more.
The Summer Gala Benefit is Bay Street’s most significant fundraising event of the year. Proceeds raised from the Gala will support Bay Street’s year-long programming including; The Summer Mainstage productions, as well as Educational Outreach Initiatives including Literature Live, Summer College Internships and Theatre Camps and classes for kids.
Sponsors for Bay Street’s 2011 Summer Gala included Bridgehampton Florist; Channing Daughters Winery; Dan’s Papers; HBO; Party Rentals, Ltd .; Searles Graphics; Southampton Publick House; Sterling Affair Caterers; Suffolk County National Bank; and Wimco.
Bay Street Theatre is a not-for-profit organization presenting new, classic and contemporary projects with a commitment to challenging and entertaining our diverse community. Their commitment to the theatre in the community extends to educational programs for all ages to foster the continued value of theatre as a vital art form for future generations and to encourage youths to learn, support and vitalize theatre.
For more information please visit www.baystreet.org.
Dan’s Papers, the Hamptons’ famous weekly newspaper launched the very first Dan’s Taste of Two Forks on July 16th, 2011. The event promoted a tasting celebration of the many wineries and restaurants from both the North and South Forks of Long Island. The event also benefited the East End food pantries through Have a Heart Community Trust.
It was a fabulous evening of culinary magic as the best wine and edibles from both “forks” collaborated in Bridgehampton for A Taste Of Two Forks. The much publicized event was hosted by Chef Marcus Samuelsson with Master of Ceremonies Rosanna Scotto. Other celebrities that came to give their support included Mark Feuerstein, Bravo Realty TV Stars Alex McCord, Simon Van Kempen and former Bravo Star Real Housewives of NJ Dina Manzo who was promoting her new TV Show on the HGTV Network titled ‘Dina’s Party.’ The show will entertain viewers with a peek inside Manzo’s event-planning company, Design Affairs. Each episode will focus on a different festive occasion executed by Manzo and her team of party planning experts. Dan’s Ambassadors of Good Taste also include Mark Feuerstein, of USA’s series “Royal Pains.”
Other supporters included Dan’s special guests, Sarabeth Levine, Co-Founder of Sarabeth’s Preserves & Baked Goods and author Silvia Lehrer, whose new cookbook, “Savoring the Hamptons” showcases the Food and Wine of Long Island’s East End and might I add is selling out like hot cakes.
For more information please visit www.tasteoftwoforks.com.
