The New York International Independent Film and Video Festival

 

Festival Preview

 

The New York International Independent Film and Video Festival (NYIIFVF) kicks off its 15th year with an eight-day extravaganza of independent films from around the globe. Some 250 features, docs, shorts and animation films will be screened at City Cinemas Village East (189 2nd Ave.) and the festival’s newly added venue on the Upper East Side, The ImaginAsian Theater (239 E. 59th).

 

The celebrations begin with a networking party at China Club (268 W.47th St.) on February 28, from 6pm until midnight, where filmmakers will mingle with screenwriters, delegates, actors and industry professionals as well as the next generation of filmmakers.

 

“The NYIIFVF festival is a unique, mixed bag of films on every topic and genre imaginable, with the best range of talent emerging this year, said festival publicist Briege McGarrity. “We really look forward to hosting our talented filmmakers, delegates, press, distributors, indie film lovers and celebrities. There are so many gems and so much undiscovered talent we are excited to give them the platform they deserve and make things happen without any red tape, hype or pretentiousness.”

 

With a strong indie ethos, NYIIFVF attracts an interesting range of personalities who are either featured in the films or who show up to support the indie film community. Expected guests throughout the eight-day event include hip hop mogul Russell Simmons and his brother Danny Simmons for the moving documentary “Byrd: The Life and Tragic Death of James Byrd Jr.”; “High School Musical” coach Bart Johnson; indie director Abel Ferrara, Kristanna Loken of “The L Word” fame; and rock/folk legend John Sebastian (Lovin’ Spoonful). Additionally, Manny Collins of the New York Jets is expected to attend the screening of “A Call For Valor,” directed by award-wining Latina filmmaker/composer (and retired police captain) D.R. Hernandez. Well-respected therapist and author Kathleen Ammalee Rogers will host a screening and reception for her soothing film, “The World is Yours;” Actress/model Ellie Scully (“Spin City” and now full-time stand-in for Mariska Hargitay on “Law and Order SVU”) will host a screening and afterparty for the inspirational documentary about the plight of the homeless, directed by award-winning filmmaker Louell Crowley. World-famous Japanese animator FROGMAN will be the star of his sold out screening of “Eagle Talon The Movie - The Chancellor Only Lives Twice. “

 

“Our festival represents a new wave of independent filmmakers and offers them a valuable opportunity to show their projects, experience the NYC film culture, network and celebrate,” said Stuart Alson, Founder/Executive Producer of NYIIFVF. “We also enjoy giving our loyal audience the chance to see a range of compelling movies.”

 

Festival programmer Nicole Holland said that enthusiastic filmmakers will fly in from over 45 countries, “Our 2008 festival has attracted a record number of international entries this year.”

 

Below are several films that have been generating buzz, plus some highlights that you will surely want to keep an eye on.

 

“Fighting with Anger” (directed by Sam Um, 90min. Martial Arts/Action) stars Academy Award-winning country music legend Willie Nelson. (Nelson also executive produced the film and wrote some of the songs together with his daughter Paula and other notable musicians from Austin, Texas.) Sam Um tells a hard-boiled crime story mixed with a strange romance. Ray, played by Kelli Fleming, is a young, beautiful and deadly assassin. Will (Nelson) is an aging but experienced hit man who acquires a peculiar interest in Ray after he assigns her to a new series of jobs. Their stories intertwine through the mysterious antique trade of the Korean government and the world of a paid assassin.

 

Willie Nelson in “Fighting With Anger.”

 

“Lime Salted Love” (directed by Danielle Agnello and Joe Hall, 86 min.) stars stunning actress Kristanna Loken (“Terminator 3,” “The L Word”), Kate del Castillo (“Trade,” “Bordertown”), Jason Brooks (“Days of Our Lives,” “Baywatch Hawaii”) and Billy Drago (“The Hills Have Eyes”). The film a is surreal, visual examination of abandonment, guilt, abuse and psychic pain set in the hipster enclaves of Los Angeles.

 

 

“Acquiring a Connection With the American Homeless”

 

“Eagle Talon the Movie, the Chancellor Only Lives Twice” (directed by FROGMAN, Flash Animation/Comedy) is a groundbreaking film that utilizes mainly Flash animation in Japan. Charismatic FROGMAN, the king of late-night Japanese TV, attacks the entertainment industry with a nonsensical comedy about a secret society whose silly conspiracy is never to become real. Look out for FROGMAN on the red carpet.

 

 

Animator FROGMAN, director of “Eagle Talon the Movie, the Chancellor Only Lives Twice.”

 

“A Call for Valor” (written, produced and directed by D.R. Hernandez) is a visceral docu-drama that tells the story of veteran New Jersey Police Sergeant Ken Hogan and his brush with death. In 1994, Hogan was ambushed in his police car by a man on a mission to kill himself and Hogan. Nineteen bullets were fired from the semi-automatic weapon, four of them penetrated Hogan’s body with the last bullet lodging in his skull. Left for dead, Hogan bravely implemented his well-honed plan to survive the dreaded armed encounter. The shooter later committed suicide as he was pursued by other officers. Viewers will witness a reenactment of the crime scene as well as poignant excerpts from the 911 tape recording.

 

“Acquiring a Connection With the American Homeless” (written, directed and edited by Louell Crowley) is an inspirational documentary that focuses on the plight of the homeless. The film, which is part of a reality series and help-the-homeless campaign, is designed as an instructional video for people everywhere who are interested in learning how to help. The documentary contains poignant interviews with homeless citizens, in which they reveal their emotional state and describe the hardships they face on a daily basis. The film also includes a moving original theme song entitled “The Invisible People,” which was written and performed by Minister Dwayne Daigle.

 

 

“Love Like Blood”

 

“Love Like Blood” (directed by Steven Bozga, 84min., drama). Thaddeus Schneider (“Law & Order,” “Rescue Me”) heads the cast in this drama from the streets of New York. Kevin (Schneider) is a notorious car thief at the top of his game. His life is about stolen cars, sex and cash. But as good as Kevin is, he knows it’s only a matter of time before he will be caught. Kevin tries to walk away from his criminal lifestyle and start over. Can he get out before it’s too late?

 

 

“A Call for Valor”

 

“The World is Yours” (written, produced and narrated by Rogers and co-directed by Kathleen Ammalee Rogers and Judith Shannon Grady, 4min. Inspirational short) is a soothing audio/visual affirmation of life that focuses on empowering individuals to cherish themselves and to act courageously to create happier lives and a better world. The film includes stunning archival space footage of the earth from a NASA spacecraft, edited by Alan Health, as well as a complementary classical score that enhances the film’s positive message.

 

Advance tickets to NYIIFVF are $12 and can be purchased at www.nyfilmvideo.com.

Official sponsors for the festival include global electronics leader Samsung, dynamic distribution company ITN Distribution, Inc. and FilmOn.com, a popular download and streaming Web site that hosts content from across the world. Alki David, FilmON.com’s CEO, will attend as a special guest of the 2008 NYIIFVF.

 

Festival after-parties have been planned at upscale venues such as The Star Room, Pacha, Azza, Bamboo 52 and G Spa and Lounge. Dress up if you want to get in.

 

  Kristanna Loken in “Lime Salted Love.”