WorldFest-Houston, the third longest-running International Film Festival in North America, celebrated the conclusion of its 10-day run of film, fun and fanfare in its 45th annual independent film showcase with a 17% increase in box-office!  With two engaging luminaries receiving the WorldFest Remi Lifetime Achievement Award this year, Louis Gossett, Jr. on opening weekend and the inimitable Sally Kirkland on closing, WorldFest bookended this year’s ...

  Perhaps one of the most ambitious independent films events in the U.S., the newly created Film Festival Week – LA will be held April 11-19 in Hollywood, CA. The event comprises four unique film events and will screen a wide array of films, webisodes and TV programs from all over the globe, exclusively at Raleigh Studios, 5300 Melrose Ave, Hollywood (Chaplin Building). An Opening night kick-off party to welcome participating filmmakers will take place on Wednesday, April 11 at hotspo...

Perhaps one of the most ambitious independent films events in the U.S., the newly created Film Festival Week – LA will be held April 11-19 in Hollywood, CA. The event comprises four unique film events and will screen a wide array of films, webisodes and TV programs from all over the globe, exclusively at Raleigh Studios, 5300 Melrose Ave, Hollywood (Chaplin Building). An Opening night kick-off party to welcome participating filmmakers will take place on Wednesday, April 11 at hotspot Confident...

By Maria Esteves – August 29, 2011 The 2nd Annual New York City International Film Festival 2011 (NYCIFF11) Opening Night Jury Awards presented by Roberto Rizzo honored the best films of 2011 by emerging and established filmmakers from around the world at the Hudson theatre, Thursday, August 18, 8:00 PM. The award presenters were actor M. Macaluso, T. Iz, E. Thai, I. Yako, L. Kruse, and NYCIFF founder Roberto Rizzo. In 2010, NYCIFF was founded by Roberto Rizzo. His vision is to intro...

By Maria Esteves – August 28, 2011 The 2nd Annual New York City International Film Festival 2011 (NYCIFF11) Opening Night Awards  presented by NYCIFF founder Robert Rizzo honoring the best international filmmaking and emerging directors in 2011 immediately followed the Opening Night Gala at the Hudson Theatre, Thursday, August 18, 8:00 PM. NYCIFF11 Opening Night black-tie red carpet arrivals included international filmmakers, producers, writers, actors, recording artists, industry executiv...

By Maria Esteves – August 27, 2011 The Second Annual New York City International Film Festival (NYCIFF) 2011, founded by Roberto Rizzo, Opening Night Gala announced its winners at a ceremony hosted at the Hudson Theatre, Thursday, August 18, 8:00 PM. NYCIFF 2011 Opening Night Premiere of THE LAST GAMBLE, directed by Joe E. Goodavage immediately followed. Actress Sally Kirkland received the Lifetime Achievement Award, filmmaker Joe E. Goodavage received Best Director Award, and Nick Ma...

By Maria Esteves – August 6, 2011 The Second Annual 2011 New York City International Film Festival (NYCIFF) Opening Night Premiere of The Last Gamble, directed by Joe E. Goodavage commence Thursday, August 18, 6:00pm at the Hudson Theatre. Presented by Roberto Rizzo, 2011 NYCIFF Opening Night Red Carpet Gala is surely Broadway’s star-studded black tie event not to miss. I had the honor and privilege chatting with associate producer April DiGiorgio (AD) on Friday, August 5, 2011. ...

It’s not always about length... enjoy some quality shorts this summer! The 2011 Palm Springs International ShortFest, Short Film Festival & Film Market announced today its roster of 331 films, selected from more than 3,000 worldwide entries. Now in its 17th year, ShortFest will showcase 64 World Premieres, 58 North American Premieres and 25 U.S. Premieres. The selection of films for screening and competition features star-studded casts and award-winning films from 50 countries around the wo...

AFM Day 6-7: DEPARTED's Producer, TROMA Drama, "Chick Flicks Grow Up" & LITTLE OBAMA Sits Out First a quick snapshot into the doing at the American Film Market on Day 6 -7. On deck today is DREAMAGO "Speed Dating" Pitch Session with 25 industry heavies, from J Todd Harris ofBranded Pictures Entertainment (The Kids are Alright, Bottle Shock); Stephen Nemeth-Rhino Films (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Dogtown and Z Boys); Gerd Koelchin (Black Dahlia, The Matador), Jeremy Wall (The Objective, Rese...

NYIFF Awards – NYC 2010 Best Film Awards (USA) Best Feature Film- Tied to A Chair Best Short Film – Takeo Best Feature Documentary – Mulberry St.Best Short Documentary – Mas Man Peter Minshall Best Film Awards (International) Best Feature Film – Attack on Darfur Best Short Film – Worm Best Feature Documentary – Coming Clean Best Short Documentary – The Liquid of Life (Nozel Hahayim) Audience Awards (USA) Feature – Tied to A Chair Short – Swing, Set Feature Documentary –...

Monday, June 9------Celebrated Israeli director Amos Kollek arrives at Festroia later today, in preparation for the screening of his new film RESTLESS in the Official Competition here.The director, the son of long time Jerusalem mayor Teddy Kollek (about whom he made a documentary in the 1980s) was born in Jerusalem in 1947, a year before the State of Israel was declared. He is a renaissance man, who has directed feature films and shorts, written five novels and is a regular contributor to news...

PALM BEACH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVALUNVEILS 2006 LINE-UP Over 125 Films Headline April 20 - 28 Event The Palm Beach International Film Festival Executive Director Randi Emerman announced today the film line-up for the 11th annual event to be held April 20 – 28. Over a 125 films will screen at this years event, including features, documentaries and shorts. The eight-day Fest will introduce 18 world premieres, 3 U.S. premieres and 59 Florida premieres, including 31 international films.Opening...

The 7th annual Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival OUR CLOSING NIGHT GALA EXTRAVAGANZA?Sunday, May 1st 7:00pmByron-Carlyle Theater, Miami BeachCRAIG CHESTERPARKER POSEYMALCOM GETSCHRIS KATTANSALLY KIRKLANDJULIE HAGGERTYMELINDA DILLONinADAM & STEVE: a film by CRAIG CHESTERWorking in the comic-confessional memoir vein made popular by David Sedaris and Augusten Burroughs, out Hollywood actor Craig Chester (Swoon, Grief, Frisk) sublimely navigated a mid-career gear-shift 2 years ago when he published ...

Director’s View Set to Open Fifth Year;DVFF scoops film fest circuit and lands "Stranger Than Love" for world premiere -- but it is all contingent on secrecy clause. (What could be stranger?)In a spectacular coup, Robert Kesten, director of the DVFF, which runs from February 12-16, is to be congratulated for beating out all other U.S. festivals to bring to roost the much-talked-about secret film "Stranger Than Love" and present it in competition as a world premiere in our community...maybe.....