» Bill Cowell, Founder of The Buffalo Niagara
Film Festival is proud to announce a victorious
return for #2.
Bill pledges that this will be a spectacular 2nd year with large events and big
surprises to be talked about for years to come. Enjoyment to all, and to all
an enjoyable plight. See you soon.
A Message from Robert
Redford for the 25th
Anniversary of The Natural here
in Buffalo! Come to the Adam's Mark Hotel March
24th, 2008 at 5:30PM and see for yourself how Mr. Redford
cherishes his stay here in Buffalo.
The
Natural - visit our
page devoted to taking a look
back at the world of "The
Natural" with photos, memorablia,
& more! Click
here to see more!
Filmmakers: click
here to download to 2008 "Official
Selection" laurels for the
BNFF.
Welcome...
THE
BUFFALO NIAGARA FILM FESTIVAL
(BNFF) welcomes you
to this week long international
film festival and market, open
to the public, filmmakers, and
entertainment industry professionals,
that will take place from March
24 – 29, 2008 at
various venues around the Buffalo-Niagara
region.
The BNFF is
an opportunity to showcase creative
writing, film and video arts,
and the people who passionately
pursue following their dreams
and sharing the fruits of their
labors with others from around
the world.
The BNFF is
the place to be March 24 -
29, 2008 to come together
and celebrate this shared passion
for film, filmmaking, and writing.
With the backdrop, and the beauty
and power of Niagara Falls in late
March – crisp air, and the
promise of Spring, The BNFF offers
a place like no other. We are a
filmmaker’s palace. A festival
hosted by filmmakers and screenwriters
for filmmakers and screenwriters.
The
BNFF! Not just another festival
- But one of a kind!
The BNFF
Film & Screenplay
Competitions are not
just for the Independents anymore,
but for the Industry Pro as well.
We are there for EVERYONE! -
From the AMATEUR to the
PROFESSIONAL! (with separate
categories).
Industry Affiliates...Here's
your chance to show off your
stuff! Those of you
whose films, videos, and screenplays
that are completed by January
15th, 2008, are all
welcome!
In addition to film screenings,
industry leaders and others will
present seminars and panel discussions
on topics of interest to filmmakers,
screenwriters, and entertainment
industry professionals. Opening
and Closing Night Galas, Filmmaker
Receptions, and a Festival Expo
featuring products and services
from BNFF Sponsors and
others will be held during Festival
week. A Film Market will also be
held during Festival Week, to provide
filmmakers, distributors, and buyers
the opportunity to network, and
conduct business like any other
big market in the world.
Come join
and celebrate with us - in
a region that truly appreciates
and follows the arts... The
BUFFALO NIAGARA FILM FESTIVAL -
the place to be March 24 - 29,
2008!
Robert Prosky
was born in Philadepia
and worked as a bookkeeper
with the Federal
Reserve Bank while
taking acting classes
at the American Theatre
Wing in New York. He
developed his acting
chops as a member
of Washington D.C.'s
Arena Stage repertory
company in 60's and
70s, where he worked
with Jane
AlexanderJames
Earl JonesRobert
Foxworth and
others. He
later appeared on
Broadway in "A View
From the Bridge, " "Glengarry,
Glen Ross" (Tony
nomination for Featured
Actor) and "A Walk
In the Woods" (Tony
nomination for Best
Actor).
Prosky
began his film
career in the 1971
TV movie They’ve
Killed President
Lincoln. Ten
years later he
gained critical
attention as Leo,
a ruthless Chicago
mobster in Michael
Mann’s critically
acclaimed Thief,
starring James
Caan. That
film catapulted
him to featured
character roles
in films such as The
Lords of Discipline,
The Natural,
and Outrageous
Fortune. He
is probably best
known as Sergeant
Stan Jablonski
on Hill Street
Blues (“Let’s
do it to them before
they do it to us”),
a role he played
for two seasons
after Michael Conrad
died. He
has worked consistently
ever since, in
such films as Gremlins
2 and Dead
Man Walking,
and has played
recurring characters
on the TV series Veronica’s
Closet, The
Practice,
and K Street.
Tony
Pastor, Jr. - Writer/Director/Producer
Tony has directed
and/or story edited
over 800 hours of Television
programming?including
such hits as “Spider-Man”, “The
Silver Surfer”, “Peter
Pan”, “The
Avengers”, and “The
BackStreet Boys series”.
Tony is also a recording
artist, a record producer,
a writer, and an accomplished
stage and film actor.
Growing
up in an artistic family
(his father, Tony Sr. was
the celebrated big band?leader
and song stylist of the
40’s
and 50’s),
he pursued his acting interests
and ?moved to Los Angeles
for the lead role of Tom
Lee in the L.A. production
of “Tea
and Sympathy”.
Spotted by a talent scout
from Universal Pictures,
Tony soon had his first
film role acting with Cary
Grant and Tony Curtis as
Seaman Fox in the classic
movie “Operation
Petticoat”
Tony’s musical
pursuits led him
to tour with his
brothers across the
U.S. and Europe.
While attending
college at Columbia
University in New
York City, Tony was
a script reader for
famed Broadway producer,
David Merrick. Tony
entered the advertising
business where he
quickly became Creative
Director at Dancer-Fitzgerald-Sample,
one of the top ad
agencies in the world
at that time. Tony
has created campaigns
for the likes of
Coke, Nissan, Maxell,
Dr. Pepper, Firestone,
Gulf Oil, to name
a few.
A chance meeting
with Joseph Barbera
took Tony in a new
direction, as Creative
Director and head
of development for
Hanna-Barbera. Margaret
Loesch, later president
of Marvel Entertainment
convinced Tony to
join her and work
with, ?Creative Head
of Marvel Entertainment,
Stan Lee.
In 1990, Tony established
Pastor Productions
to produce family
entertainment?for
theatrical, television
and home video markets.
In 1998, Tony became
Vice President of
Creative Affairs
at Stan Lee Media.
Joined Paulson-Matter
inc. : in 2003 as
VP of Creative Media
Development for production
of cd-rom/dvd products
and special projects.
Wanda
Jackson
Wanda Jackson,
best known as the
Queen of Rockabilly
and the first female
sound recordist’s
of Rock and Roll,
has mesmerized audiences
from around the world. With
her earlier years
of dating Elvis Presley
and touring with
some of the most
influential people
in music such as
Jerry Lee Lewis,
Johnny Cash, Buddy
Holly, Elvis Costello,
Carl Perkins and
many more Wanda has
and still is one
of the most remarkable
music artists in
the world.
Wanda has been
nominated for the
GRAMMY AWARD twice
as the best performing
female singer.
She has been inducted
into THE OKLAHOMA
COUNTRY MUSIC HALL
OF FAME, THE ROCKABILLY
HALL OF FAME, THE
INTERNATIONAL HALL
OF FAME, THE INTERNATIONAL
GOSPEL MUSIC HALL
OF FAME THE OKLAHOMA
MUSIC HALL OF FAME
and most recently
the GERMAN COUNTRY
MUSIC HALL OF FAME.
She has been awarded
THE OKLAHOMA NATIVE
DAUGHTER AWARD.
Wanda was on the
final ballot for
induction into
the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame in
2004 and 2005.
Wanda recorded for
Decca Records for
two years (1954&'55),
and for Capitol Records
for 18 years,(1956-1973).
She now records for
legendary bluegrass
label CMH Records.
Wanda has recorded
somewhere between
50 to 60 Albums,
8 Tracks, Cassettes,
and CD's around the
world.
In real life, Wanda
is a devoted Christian
and lives happily
with her husband/manager,
Wendell Goodman,
in Oklahoma City.
A talented and versatile
star of television,
stage and records
- a dynamic entertainer
- that's "WANDA
JACKSON."
Herschell
Gordon Lewis - “The Godfather of
Gore”
The incredibly popular, violent
horror films of recent decades, such
as Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Friday
The 13th, and A Nightmare on Elm
Street, owe much of their existence
to the undisputed Godfather of Gore
- Herschell Gordon Lewis. In 1963
Lewis, with his monumental splatter
movie Blood Feast, single-handedly
changed the face of horror cinema
forever.
As well as virtually inventing
the gore generation, Lewis also
produced a number of "exploitation" movies,
as well as sampling the full gamut
of exploitation subjects ranging
from wife-swapping and ESP to rock
'n' roll and LSD. A Taste of Blood
details all these, plus gore classics
such as 2,000 Maniacs, The
Gore-Gore Girls, Color Me Blood
Red and Wizard of Gore,
placing them in context amid the
roots and development of the exploitation
film.
Lewis, beloved and revered by horror
fans all over the world, is also
regarded as a marketing genius. He
is former chairman of Communicomp,
a full-service direct marketing agency
with clients throughout the world,
renamed as a division of the advertising
holding company Interpublic. He now
heads Lewis Enterprises, through
which he writes and consults individually.
He is arguably the best-known direct
response writer and consultant in
the United States.
"Herschell Gordon Lewis is the
man who put red meat into the American
cinematic diet. Ultimately Herschell
made Quentin Tarantino possible." -
Joe Briggs
J.D. Zeik has been a working writer
for almost two decades. Over
this time he was worked with every
major studio in Los Angeles, and he
continues to work within the studio
system on both original works and as
a script doctor. His original
screenplay, Ronin, starring
Robert DeNiro, was filmed and released
by United Artists in 1998. His
original screenplay, Marker,
is now on DVD, starring the actor Steven
Seagal. He is currently writing
a screenplay for the rapper 50 Cent.
Zeik also wrote and produced the
TNT film production of Witchblade,
which then served as the basis
for a TV series produced in 2002
and 2003 on which he also worked
as a writing producer. Zeik
worked with Michelle Yeoh (Memoirs
of a Geisha) on The Touch,
which was released worldwide in
the summer of 2002. He has
worked with such directors as Bruce
Beresford, Alfonso Cuaron, Harold
Becker, James Cameron, and the
late John Frankenheimer.
J.D. graduated from SUNY Purchase,
where he started his writing career
as a playwright. His plays
have been produced in both New York
and Los Angeles. He has taught
screenwriting at Purchase since the
spring of 2000 in both the Film and
the Dramatic Writing programs.
Roy
Frumkes
Roy Frumkes’s feature-length
DOCUMENT OF THE DEAD (which he wrote,
produced and directed) is a comprehensive
study of independent filmmaking in
the U.S. focusing on the career of
George Romero. A special edition
of the award-winning documentary was
released on DVD by Synapse Films in
1998, and again in 2004, as part of
the Deluxe 4-disc Dawn of the Dead
DVD release. Roy is currently
at work on an expansion of the feature
doc entitled THE DEFINITIVE DOCUMENT
OF THE DEAD, for 2008 release. The
rough cut of THE DEFINITIVE DOCUMENT
OF THE DEAD will premiere at BNFF on
Thursday, March 27th.
Roy created and co-authored the
action-adventure hit THE SUBSTITUTE,
starring Tom Berenger, Ernie Hudson
and Marc Anthony. Roy
later co-authored two sequels starring
Treat Williams – THE SUBSTITUTE
2: SCHOOL’S OUT, which was
a highly rated HBO Cable Network
Premiere in the Spring of ’98,
and THE SUBSTITUTE 3: WINNER TAKES
ALL, which proved just as popular
with HBO’s over twenty million
subscribers when it premiered in
August of ’99.
Recently Roy produced the romantic
comedy THE SWEET LIFE, starring Joan
Jett, which had its theatrical premiere
in Buffalo and is set for DVD release
in 2008. Allworth Press has published
a book detailing the film’s
creation written by Roy and Rocco
Simonelli titled SHOOT ME; Independent
Filmmaking From Creative Concept
to Rousing Release. IndieWIRE.com
called it “one of the best
books out there right now on making
an indie film from scratch” and “the
filmmaking bible of the moment.”
Roy also wrote and produced the
cult classic STREET TRASH, which
enjoyed wide theatrical and video
exposure both here and abroad. His
new feature-length documentary, THE
MELTDOWN MEMOIRS – four years
in production - is double-billed
with STREET TRASH on a double-disc
DVD, which was released in the Fall
of 2006 by Synapse Entertainment
and immediately went into the black.
Since assuming ownership of FILMS
IN REVIEW, America’s oldest
and most prestigious film publication
in 1997, Roy has brought the magazine
into cyberspace as www.filmsinreview.com,
where it currently garners thousands
of hits a day.
Cheryl
Quiacos
Stunt Performer and Actor, Cheryl
Lynne Quiacos, was born on December
21st, 1974 in Toronto. Cheryl
first got her 'butt-kicking' start
on the TV series: Relic Hunter (II &III)
as Tia Carrere's stunt double. Shot
in Toronto, Paris (France), & England.
Her television and film credits
as an actor and stunt performer include: Missing,
Starhunter, The Dresden Files, The
Day After Tommorrow, and Resident Evil
Apocolypse and more recently, The Diary
of the Dead.
Cheryl has been one to fly
through the air for most of
her life. Her 10 years of competitive gymnastics
training led her to the national
level, traveling through eastern
Europe as early as 12
years old. Following
her gymnastics career, Cheryl
began classical ballet training
at the age of 14 at The
Conservatory of Dance and Music
in Toronto and continued her training
at The Ailey School, New York
City. She later toured
professionally throughout The Netherlands,
Belgium and Switzerland. She
has also trained in Muay Thai,
Tae Kwon Do, and Boxing.
Her love for the theatre led her
to The University of Toronto where
she obtained her bachelor's
degree in Theatre and French. She
has also studied acting for film
at Carter Thor East Studios
under Jock MacDonald and at Equity
Showcase Theatre under teachers such
as Bruce Clayton and David Rotenburg. She
lends much thanks to Carter Thor Studios,
home to actors such as Christina
Applegate, David Arquette, Drew Carey, Cameron
Diaz, Faye Dunaway, Chris Klein,
Johnathon Schaech, Sylvester Stallone,
and others.
As Cameron says, “this is
not the class where we train actors
to be good for a part. This
is the class where we train
actors for whom parts are written.”
Rodrigo
Gudino
Born in San Diego California, raised
in Playas de Tijuana, Mexico; later
in Mississauga, Canada. Graduated from
the University of Toronto with a degree
in Literary Studies and Philosophy
and did a three year stint as music
and news editor of RPM Weekly,
once the Canadian equivalent of Billboard.
Later still, became bored with the
music industry and in 1997 launched RUE
MORGUE, an independent magazine
focusing on “horror in culture
and entertainment.”
Since then RUE MORGUE has
grown to become one of the
leading horror publications
in the world. In 2000 Gudiño
began programming the CINEMACABRE
MOVIE NIGHTS in Toronto,
a monthly screening of new,
rare, classic and cult horror
films in Toronto’s Bloor
Cinema. Through CineMacabre
he premiered films as diverse
as Ichi The Killer, Ringu, Dog
Soldiers, House of
1000 Corpses and many
more. That same year he began
working on an all horror music
show with Tom “Tomb” Dragomir,
that resulted in a weekly programme
in 2006 called RUE
MORGUE RADIO.
In 2004, Gudiño expanded
the RUE MORGUE brand to the country’s
largest horror convention, the RUE
MORGUE FESTIVAL OF FEAR which
has brought guests as diverse as
Clive Barker, George Romero, Crispin
Glover, Alice Cooper, Elvira, Linda
Blair, Tom Savini and many more to
Toronto. That same year, he produced
NIGHTMARE PICTURE THEATRE, a multimedia
stage show starring James Fisher
that became a full-length album of
the same name.
In 2006 Gudiño wrote and directed
his first film, THE EYES OF EDWARD
JAMES, which became an Official Selection
of the 2006 Toronto International Film
Festival and continues to tour worldwide.
His second film, THE DEMONOLOGY OF
DESIRE premiered at the prestigious
2007 Worldwide Short Film Festival.
Currently working on several feature
film projects along with overseeing
all things RUE MORGUE.
Melantha
Blackthorne
Melantha Blackthorne is a talented
starlet who was recently named "Scream
Queen Of The 21st Century" by David
L Tamarin of Scars Magazine.
As a young girl she was always writing
little horror stories and eventually
borrowed her father’s video
camera to create mini home movies.
As she grew, her taste for horror
evolved into something of a fetish
and she began exploring new and unique
ways of expressing herself.
In 1999 she created the web character
Countess Bathoria that quickly gained
popularity and legions of fans. Her
popularity in the genre has now made
its way to the big screen, and she
is in demand as a performer of independent
horror films.
Melantha has starred in such films
as 'She Demons of the Black Sun',
'Prison Of The Psychotic Damned',
'Countess Bathoria's Graveyard Picture
Show' and many more.
She also co owns Robomonkey Productions,
which released her directorial debut
'Sinners and Saints' and most recent
atrocity 'Inbred and Undead', receiving
much critical acclaim from numerous
horror magazines and websites.
Melantha’s indie success has
led to even more exposure as she
is about to appear in Roger Corman's
classic "Death Race" which was directed
by Paul Anderson (Soldier, Resident
Evil) and stars Jason Statham (Crank,
Transporter). She plays the part
of Pachenko's Navigator who is one
of Statham's driving nemeses in the
movie.
TONY
DANIELS
Tony is one of North America’s
most prominent voice artists. He’s
the Main Network voice for CBC Television, the
voice of Lotto 649, Discovery Travel,
the Speed Channel and numerous national
commercials. Tony also creates
a multitude of voices on cartoons such
as the X-Men, Braceface, the Avengers,
Rescue Heroes, Ying Yang Yo, Ned’s
Newt, Jo-Jo’s Circus, Care Bears
and Fisher Price’s Little People.
Born in Toronto, Tony began performing
professionally as a guitar player
and singer at the ripe old age of
11. While playing a local show,
legendary 1050 Chum disc jockey,
Tom Rivers, discovered Tony and invited
him to Chum’s studios. Tony
fell in love with radio and wanted
to expand his ear by involving himself
in radio. Graham Cable Television
was Tony’s first kick at doing “on
air” performances. Later,
he met Dave Barker, then creative
director at Toronto’s Q107,
where it was quickly discovered that
Tony had a nearly unlimited voice
range. That led to years of
performing comedy as a “Voice
Guy” with morning shows such
as the Jesse and Gene show, Roger,
Rick and Marilyn, Brother Jake’s
Q Morning Zoo and even a stint with
Howard Stern. During the “Radio
Daze”, Tony wanted to perform
commercials, promo and especially
animation. He was signed by Sandi
Sloan of Fusion Artists and has pursued
his voice career ever since.
Tony has appeared in countless series
in Canada and throughout the world. As
an actor voice-specialist, he can
be a “Manly Bee” or a “Farmer
Jed” or three or four characters
in the same scene and you’d
never know it.
It’s never the same old dull
routine at CBC, Discovery Travel
or Speed Channel either. Tony’s
style has fit well with “Canada’s
Own” public broadcaster, “Only
on the Travel Channel” and “Fuel
your passion, SPEED.”
You can hear Tony every day on several
networks or on any given radio station
as the voice of a product or service
and of course, on any number of cartoons. You
also can see him, playing guitar
with a local Toronto band or on the
TV series “Eerie Indiana the
Other Dimension”. He
played Elvis on that show, and you
could’ve sworn it was the King
himself!
2008
PRESS
3.26.2008 - The Journal-Register
"'Natural' party opens film fest:" click
here
3.25.2008 - The Buffalo News
"The Natural" Opening Gala article: click
here
Riviera Theatre - Program/Schedule of Events
3.2008 - Buffalo Rising
3.23.2008 - ARTVOICE
3.23.2008
3.21.2008
FEAR ZONE
Blog Article about BNFF: Click
Here
GENRE AWARDS
1. Best Drama – to Randall Sharp – for Henry May Long
2. Best Thriller – to Max Carlson – for Dissociative
3. Best Docu-Drama – to John Paget – for Alcatraz Reunion
4. Best Action/Adventure – to Benjamin Busch – for Sympathetic
Details
5. Best Comedy – to Garret Harkawik – for Deus Ex Americana
6. Best Original Concept – to Will Tully – for Epicac
7. Most Honorable Mention – to Zheng Wang – for My Eating
Team has a Paddling Problem
8. Audience Award – to Denny Tedesco – for The Wrecking
Crew
GRAND JURY AWARDS
1. Best Music Video – to Stephan Galfas – for The Enlightened
Time
2. Best Student Film – to Yanwenjun Liu – for Yoyo
3. Best Sci-fi, Fantasy, Horror – to Jerald Fine – for
The Predator’s Return
4. Best Animation – to Peter Ricq – for Glitch
5. Best Short Film – to Will Tully – for Epicac
6. Best Screenplay – to Elise Stempky – for From Point
A to Point B
7. Best Screenplay by a Pro – to Michael Salort – for
Raising the Dead
8. Best Documnetary – to Rich Newberg – for Lost Childhood;
The Story of the Birkenau Boys
9. The American Falls Award for Best WNY Film – to Sally Heckel – for
Unspeakable
10. The Canadian Falls Award for Best Canadian
Film – to Alan Powell – for Across the Hall
11. Most Promising Cinematographer – to Matt Tomko – for
Imogen
12. Most Promising Director – to Max Carlson – for Dissociative
13. Best Feature Film – to Toshi Shioya – for Winds
From Zero
WANDA
JACKSON
Mar 12, 2008
The “Sweet Lady with the Nasty
Voice” will be in Buffalo to
perform her music and discuss her
life as a musician.
Wanda changed music history in 1954
with her incredible voice and stage
persona. Come see the legend perform
live, in concert, followed by an
interactive Q & A session. She
toured with Elvis Presley (and dated
him!), Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly,
Carl Perkins, etc.
Wanda not only performed with some
of America's greatest rock n roll
icons, she became one herself. Hear
her incredible music and stories
from Queen of Rockabilly and the “First
Lady of Rock n Roll."
Wanda Jackson, best known as the
Queen of Rockabilly and the first
female sound recordist’s of
Rock and Roll, has mesmerized audiences
from around the world. With
her earlier years of dating Elvis
Presley and touring with some of
the most influential people in music
such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash,
Buddy Holly, Elvis Costello, Carl
Perkins and many more Wanda has and
still is one of the most remarkable
music artists in the world.
Wanda was nominated twice for a
GRAMMY AWARD as Best Performing Female
Singer. She has been inducted into
THE OKLAHOMA COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF
FAME, THE ROCKABILLY HALL OF FAME,
THE INTERNATIONAL HALL OF FAME, THE
INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL MUSIC HALL OF
FAME THE OKLAHOMA MUSIC HALL OF FAME
and most recently the GERMAN COUNTRY
MUSIC HALL OF FAME. She has been
awarded THE OKLAHOMA NATIVE DAUGHTER
AWARD. Wanda was on the final ballot
for induction into the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame in 2004 and 2005.
Wanda recorded for Decca Records
for two years (1954&'55), and
for Capitol Records for 18 years,(1956-1973).
She now records for legendary bluegrass
label CMH Records. Wanda has recorded
between 50 to 60 Albums, 8 Tracks,
Cassettes, and CD's around the world.
In real life, Wanda is a devoted Christian
and lives happily with her husband/manager,
Wendell Goodman, in Oklahoma City.
MUSIC
IN FILM
Mar 12,
2008
If you are a filmmaker
looking to understand the need, placement
and importance of music in your film,
or a musician trying to discover how
to get your work heard and included
in film, you won’t want to miss
the Music in Film this discussion being
offered through the Buffalo Niagara
Film Festival.
On Friday, March 28th, at the Adams
Mark Hotel in downtown Buffalo, Scottpatrick
Sellitto, known simply as “Scottpatrick” in
the music business world, will discuss
and speak about both sides of music
and movies.
The lecture begins promptly at NOON
and will last approximately two hours.
Cost is a $10 Ticket Fee.
The first part of his lecture, The
Filmmaker’s Perspective on Music,
will help filmmakers understand the
need and importance of finding, placing
and utilizing music to enhance their
project. Other topics will include,
creative sourcing, fee structures,
licensing deals, how to protect yourself,
how to get free music placements, what
royalty-free music is and when you
should and shouldn’t consider
using it, time lines and helpful hints
on obtaining music, and obtaining temp
tracks. Scottpatrick will also
discuss what a music supervisor is
and when you should hire one, along
with a discussion on creating a movie’s
soundtrack for additional revenue and
how one goes about doing that.
The second portion of the lecture
presents the opposite point of view-
The Musician and Composer’s Perspective
on Providing Music for Movies. This
portion of the lecture will include
discussions on topics such as: identity
development using the internet, how
to get your name/band recognized, finding
arenas such as commercials and corporate
video, where music is also used, how
to find music supervisors, how to get
the attention of a music supervisor,
submission guidelines for submitting
your music to projects, when getting ‘placed’ is
better than getting ‘paid’,
overview of terms and conditions normally
found in music contracts, understanding
how musicians and composers get paid, working
under deadlines and timelines, how
to protect yourself and your music,
ins and outs of creating ‘new’ music
for a project, and developing music
on the computer.
Scottpatrick will be proving attendees
with a handout containing valuable
additional information as well as valuable
resources to retain as reference materials. There
will be a Q&A session afterwards.
For attendees of this lecture ONLY: Musicians
and composers are encouraged to bring
demo's/reels on CD/DVD with their bio’s
and contact information for later review
by Scottpatrick’s company, Dancing
Mice Enterprises. Seating is LIMITED
and pre-purchasing your ticket is strongly
encouraged to insure a spot at this lecture. Tickets
can be purchased at: www.buffaloniagarafilmfestival.com
THE NATURAL
MEMORABILIA
Mar 3,
2008
LOOKING FOR MEMORABILIA –
Were you living in this area in
1983? If you did, and were
old enough to have participated in
the film production of The Natural,
we want to hear from you. We’re
asking for owners of memorabilia
of any type (photos, home movies,
newspaper articles, costumes, props,
etc.) to please call us. The
festival will have a temporary museum
of all things related to the movie,
The Natural, but we need the community’s
assistance. It will be fun
to walk through history!
Items must be able to be on loan
from March 24th through March 29th
. We may be able to arrange
for large or bulkier items to be
picked-up and dropped off, but smaller
items would need to be delivered
and retrieved by the donor.
If you or someone you know has such
items, please contact us at 827-3534
for additional details.
DAMON
& MORAY SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Jan 2,
2008
CASH PRIZE AWARDS!
Hello Everyone! Just letting you
know that DAMON & MOREY
LLP has offered to give
away a $2000 cash prize to
the winner of the Best Feature Film
Category this year!
And THE BUFFALO NEWS has
also offered a $1000 cash
prize giveaway to the Best
WNY Filmmaker Category.
Keep a look out for more cash prizes
to come.
WAY TO GO BUFFALO!
HAPPY
NEW YEAR!
Jan 1,
2008
Hello Everybody, due
to the popularity and significant increase
in this years submissions at the Buffalo
Niagara Film Festival we are extending
our submission deadline to Jan. 15th,
2008.
Thank you, and have a Prosperous New
Year!
Your friends and staff at the
BNFF!
HAPPY
HOLIDAYS TO ALL!
Nov 29,
2007
The Buffalo Niagara
Film Festival and its organizers would
like to wish everyone a happy and safe
holiday season. Stay tuned for our
latest updates and exciting events
to come. Our finalists for film and
screenplay submissions are just around
the corner. If you haven't already
done so please submit your project
now. Late deadlines are approaching
fast. Our best to all.
Your friends, The BNFF Staff & Advisors
SPECIAL
ANNOUNCEMENT
Nov 3 ,
2007
Hello Everyone, The Buffalo Niagara
Film Festival is officially announcing
a Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror
day on March 27, 2008. We will be
dedicating this day to Science Fiction,
Fantasy and Horror films only. Special
guests, celebrities, venue and panels
will be announced in the weeks to
come. Tickets and special VIP
Passes will be available after January
1st, 2008. Any interest in helping
out or submitting films to this event
can be done through our website at
www.BuffaloNiagaraFilmFestival.com -
Sincerely, The BNFF Staff & Advisors
SUBMISSIONS
GOING STRONG
Oct 14 ,
2007
It's
only been two weeks since the submissions
opened for the upcoming BNFF event
and already we are have a slue of star
powered films submitted. Keep it up
everybody and pass the word! This is
going to be an event to remember!
WELCOME
BACK EVERYONE!
Sep 23 ,
2007
Welcome to the 2nd Annual
Buffalo Niagara Film Festival (BNFF). This
week long international event,
open to the public, filmmakers,
and entertainment professionals,
will take place from March
24-29, 2008 at various
venues in the Buffalo-Niagara Region.
5:30PM - "The
Natural 25th Anniversary" -
(Opening Gala Presentation)
Special Engagement interactive
session and multimedia event
with Special Guests and Behind
The Scenes Critorial with cast,
crew and local participation,
story swaps, special intro
video, rare photos and memorabilia,
and much much more.
FILM PANELS 12PM - The
Documentary Film - "An interactive panel featuring
channel 4's Rich Newberg, intellectual
property attorney Gust Pullman, and other
director's."
- The Erie Canal - Buffalo's Greatest
Success (15m)
- Niagara Falls (15m)
- Burning the Bridges (15m)
- Time for a Change (15m)
- The Waterfront - Yesterday, Today,
and Tomorrow (15m)
IN THE FOUNTAIN ROOM
FILM
PANELS
(all tickets can be purchased on our home page through our BUY
TICKETS icon or at the Riviera Theatre or Market Arcade Film & Arts
Center)
12PM - The
Screenwriter - "Hear from a panel of experts, and an attorney
to provide you with tips and answer questions about your screenplay.
Learn how to protect your work, how to avoid common legal errors
or risks, and present the best possible product."
8PM - Imogen (sci-fi/thriller
- 18m, USA)
- Rabia (thriller/horror
- 24m, USA)
- Forever
in Time (drama/period - 28m, USA)
- Freedom's
Call (doc/human rights - 49m, USA)
During Festival Week, a series of Seminars and Panels will be
held presenting topics of interest to the filmmaker and screenwriter.
A preliminary list of these topics includes:
· Intellectual Property and
the Filmmaker / Screenwriter
· Entertainment Law – Contracts,
Agreements, Releases – Why Are
They Necessary?
· Insurance for the Film Project – Production
Insurance, Errors & Omissions, Liability,
etc.
· Financing the Film Project
· Distributing Your Film
· Casting In's and Out's
· Music for Film – Licensing,
Synchronization Agreements, Original
Scores, Public Domain
· Screenwriting Techniques
· Special Effects
· Working with Unions
· Budgeting
The BNFF Organizers are working with recognized
industry leaders and professionals to bring a talented slate of
Guest Speakers and Panelists to the Festival to participate in the
Seminars and Panels, including:
- Directors
- Studio Executives
- Indie Filmmakers
- Animation Artists
- Special Effects Coordinators
- Entertainment Attorneys
- Film Distributors / Buyers
- Directors
of Cinematography
- Producers / Line Producers
- Composers / Music Supervisors
- Casting Directors
- Production Supervisors
- Investors / Venture Capital Groups
/ Financiers
Sponsors will also have the opportunity to conduct seminars and
panels that may be specific to their products and services.
Filmmakers and Screenwriters who have submitted works to the BNFF
will receive a daily pass to one seminar or
panel of their choice. Tickets will also be available as part of
the BNFF Festival
Packages, or at the Festival Box Office.
Bill
Cowell – Founder/President/Chairman Bill Cowell is the Founder and President
of the BNFF. He is also the CEO and Creative
Executive of Captures Entertainment. Bill
is a writer, producer, director, and actor
that has developed several award winning
projects and deals with top industry talent
and executives. Bill continues to flourish
his knowledge and love for the entertainment
business with original and lucrative ideas,
and will continue to build a strong and reputable
company working with top executives and industry
professionals for years to come.
Michael
Marszalkowski – Festival Director/Co-Chairman Special Counsel at Damon & Morey
LLP, Michael provides services in Entertainment
Law, and represents such clients as Emmy
Award Winning Director/Producer Jon Cassar
(“24”, and “La Femme
Nikita”) and award winning Director/Producer
Milan Cheylou (Las Vegas, The Chris Rock
Show, and Monk). Michael works closely
with the development deals and day-to-day
operations of Captures Entertainment and
The Buffalo Niagara Film Festival.
Joshua
Pollack – Festival Director/Co-Chairman
Joshua Pollack is currently
the Chief Executive Officer of NXT a company,
which he founded to capitalize on his proprietary
relationships and experience. Over
the past 15 years, Mr. Pollack has acquired
a broad array of media, sports and entertainment
experience, which includes working in the
arenas of production, distribution, marketing,
public relations, event management, talent
representation and finance with a focus
on fundraising, mergers and acquisitions. Mr.
Pollack has previously held positions with
Creative Artists Agency, the William Morris
Agency and the Endeavor Talent Agency focusing
primarily on their high profile, motion
picture talent clients and corporate advisory
relationships. To date, NXT has delivered
expertise and decision making assistance
to over 150 clients including many
of the worlds leading investment banks,
hedge funds, advertising conglomerates,
studios and networks.
Crissy
Tonsi – Festival Director
Crissy Tonsi, Festival Director, and COO
and Business Development Executive of Captures
Entertainment, also the COO and Vice President
of Cermortin Enterprises, an entertainment
and consulting firm based in Los Angeles,
has over 20+ years of executive management
consulting and operations experience, and
specializes in providing strategic planning,
restructuring, M & A, and organizational
development advisory services across a
diverse set of industry segments.
Daniele
Suissa – Festival Director Daniele Suissa, Festival Director,
started her career in Paris, working in
film and theatre with Major European Director’s.
Bridging her Paris and US affiliations,
Daniele is a pioneer in the development
of co-production and co-venture. A celebrated
actors-director, Daniele J. Suissa has
directed for the theatre over 30 plays
from both the classical and contemporary
repertoire and has substantial credits
on the large and small screen for which
she has received many nominations and awards.
Daniele is also the director of hundreds
of television commercials and has served
as president, chair, or Board Member of
most Canadian Associations including the
Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television,
The Producer’s Guild, the DGC and
The Toronto and Banff International Festival
for many years. Her constant quest for
new artistic challenges makes her a highly
respected force in her field. Since 1993
Daniele has dedicated most of her time
and passion to education, teaching, directing,
acting and producing at UCLA Extension,
at USC School of Cinema, at AFI, at the
Los Angeles Film School, and at her DIRECTOR’S
STUDIO at CBS. She is also a private coach
to Writers, Producers and Directors. Daniele
works and coaches in French, English and
Spanish. She is a citizen of France, CEE
and Canada, and a permanent resident in
the US.
Dick
Delson – Festival Advisor Dick Delson has extensive public
relations, advertising, promotional and
marketing experience and expertise. He
has written for film, television, radio
and the press. In 2003, he was one of only
three recipients of the prestigious Golden
Satellite Award from the International
Press Academy for Outstanding Service to
the Entertainment Industry.
Delson has been involved
in high level policy and project planning
and execution for entities such as Walt
Disney Productions, Filmways Pictures,
MCA, Inc./Universal Pictures and the Executive
Branch of the Federal Government, Puerto
Rico's Industrial and Tourism program "Operation
Bootstrap," and the Jamaica, West
Indies Industrial Development Corporation.
In addition, Delson has provided
publicity for the People's Choice Awards
and strategized numerous Oscar & Golden
Globe campaigns. And represented such films
as “American Graffiti”, “Jaws
1 & 2”, “Chicago”, “Goodfellas”, “Kill
Bill 1 & 2”, “The Lord
of the Rings”, and dozens more.
Delson has been a major part
of the Academy Award campaign PR team for
Miramax Films from 1998 through 2003. During
that 5-year period Miramax has been represented
with 11 successive Best Picture Academy
Award nominations, winning three Best Picture
Oscars for "Chicago," "Shakespeare
in Love" and "The English Patient."
Delson has supervised the
press activities of hundreds of major motion
pictures, independent films, television
series and specials involving campaigns
for Oscars & Golden Globes in the Academy
Award competitions of the Academy of Motion
Picture Arts & Sciences and the Hollywood
Foreign Press Association. In addition,
he has handled corporate financial publicity,
public relations for MCA, sports marketing,
public relations and publicity for health
issues, book authors and professional athletes
as well as motion picture personalities
such as Sylvester Stallone, James Coburn,
Michael Constantine and numerous others.
He has been involved in hundreds of campaigns
of the Directors Guild of America Awards,
the Writers Guild of America Awards, Producers
Guild Awards, Casting Society Awards, Screen
Actors Guild Awards, Art Directors Guild
Awards, British Academy of Film & Television
Awards and Independent Film Awards.
To date, Delson has been
credited with the success of over 200 Academy
Award Nominations and over 60 Wins.
Jane
Delson – Festival Advisor Jane Delson has over 30 years
of experience in the public relations industry,
encompassing executive-level work in the
manufacturing, retail, healthcare and insurance
sectors. A graduate of Bates College ,
she is a published writer who is also highly
experienced in video production, publications
design, major event planning and media
management.
Prior to joining her
husband's agency in 2004, Jane served for
seven years as Director of Corporate Communications
for Medical Mutual Insurance Company of
Maine, northern New England's leading medical
professional liability insurer of physicians,
surgeons, hospitals, medical centers and
ancillary health care facilities throughout
Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.
Tom
Holland – Festival Advisor Tom Holland is an Award Winning
Filmmaker, Writer, and Director who is
known for such works as PSYCHO II, THE
BEAST WITHIN, CLASS OF 1984, FRIGHT NIGHT,
CHILD'S PLAY, as well as Stephen King's
THINNER and THE LANGOLIERS. Tom has also
directed several episodes of HBO's TALES
FROM THE CRYPT and The Masters Of Horror.
Tom is currently involved with the new
internet exclusive series TOM HOLLAND'S
DRIVEN.
FESTIVAL COMMITEE:
Madeline
Claire Franklin (intern/volunteer
) Festival Contact: MadelineF@buffaloniagarafilmfestival.com Madeline Claire
is a writer and multimedia artists
currently attending SUNY-UB for
Media Studies and Anthropology,
with a concentrating in production.
She co-operates The Buffalo Writer’s
Group, a writing group that meets
Monday evenings at Spot Coffee http://www.avalonshoppe.com/bwg/ and
is an active participant in AWK
of Buffalo, a small visual and
performance art group that has
had its work displayed/performed
during events such as Hallwall's
Artists & Models, the 48
Hour Film Project, and many student
films.
Madeline Claire has been keeping busy trying
to coordinate the volunteers for this year’s
film festival, as well as help with other
assorted administrative tasks.
David
Gray (security/special
events) Contact: grayeffects@yahoo.com
Special effects maestro Dave Gray is Buffalo’s
answer to Tom Savini and Dick Smith. An
actor by day and a stagehand by night,
Dave has somehow found time to design costumes,
fabricate sets and props, and create special
make-up effects for such locally produced
horror films as Emil Novak’s Banshee, Bill
Cowell’s The Maize 2, and
Greg Lamberson’s Gruesome. One
of the key committee members for the Buffalo
Niagara Film Festival’s “Science
Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Day,” Dave
has conducted numerous special effects
workshops. You can view some of his
work at www.grayeffects.com.
Rob
Imbs (location coordinator/technical
advisor) Contact: RobI@buffaloniagarfilmfestival.com Robert Imbs is a
Buffalo New York native, who
has been dabbling in film and
video since he was a young boy. He
continued his creative pursuits
at SUNY-Buffalo where he graduated
with a B.A. degree in Media Studies. While
a student, Rob successfully produced
and directed several campus television
shows, most notably a news journal
titled "ACTION NEWS",
which helped shape the landscape
for students to come. Rob
took a job with Captures Entertainment
and applied his various creative
abilities to business and media
tasks involved in the production
of their many feature films,
and is credited as Video Editor,
Editor, Sound Effects Composer,
and Visual Effects Supervisor. With
a working knowledge of filmmaking,
Robert wrote, directed, edited
and produced the feature length
film, Couch, which recently premiered
in February 2007 at the Market
Arcade Theatre in Buffalo, NY
and he won an Honorable Mention
Award for Best WNY Filmmaker
that same year. Robert
has been involved with the Buffalo
Niagara Film Festival since it
was in the development stages
and looks forward to another
successful Buffalo Niagara Film
Festival. Though now employed
as a computer technician for
Apple Products USA, Robert remains
actively involved in filmmaking
and other creative pursuits.
Gregory
Lamberson (publicity)
Contact: glamberson@roadrunner.com Gregory Lamberson is an author and filmmaker. His second novel, JOHNNY
GRUESOME, was just published as a Limited Edition hardcover by Bad Moon Books,
and will be published as a paperback worldwide by Medallion Press in October. His
first novel, PERSONAL DEMONS, won the Anubis Award for Horror, judged by acclaimed
horror author T.M. Wright. Prior to his career as a novelist, he wrote
and directed the cult classic, SLIME CITY, which played as a midnight movie
in New York City; SLIME CITY was released on VHS twice and gained a new audience
when Shock-O-Rama Cinema released it on DVD two years ago. In January
of 2008, the Beloit International Film Festival flew Lamberson and his SLIME
cast to Wisconsin for two 20th anniversary screenings of the film.
Lamberson also wrote and directed the features
UNDYING LOVE (released on VHS by E.I. Cinema
as NEW YORK VAMPIRE) and NAKED FEAR (available
as a second feature on the SLIME CITY DVD). He
worked as the Production Manager on I WAS
A TEENAGE ZOMBIE, the Assistant Director
on PLUTONIUM BABY and Frank Henenlotter’s
BRAIN DAMAGE, and as the Assistant Director
and Associate Producer on the crime drama
West New York. For JOHNNY GRUESOME,
he produced a rock CD, GRUESOME, for which
he directed a music video starring sexploitation
scream queen “Misty Mundae.” He
created and edits the horror entertainment
website FEAR ZONE (www.fearzone.com),
which draws over 10,000 hits a day, and
just completed the instructional book,
CHEAP SCARES! HOW TO MAKE A LOW BUDGET
HORROR FILM, which McFarland and Company
will publish next year. His websites
are www.slimeguy.com and www.johnnygruesome.com.
Chris
Laski (Graphic Design) Chris Laski is a 3D Animator and
Graphic Artist. He graduated from Edinboro
University of Pennsylvania with a BA in
Applied Media Arts specializing in computer
animation. Working by day as an average
warehouse jockey, he moonlights as a freelance
artist. Chris loves movies of all kinds
and dreams of one day working for an animation
studio making feature films.
Amelie
McKendry (volunteer) Festival Contact: AmelieM@buffaloniagarfilmfestival.com
Born and raised in Buffalo, NY, Amelie
always had a passion for the arts. She
took dance lessons at the age of three
and that led to an interest in being on
the stage – and acting. Amelie
graduated from CSU-Los Angeles with a BA
in Theatre and Dance and began the pursuit
of her acting career, while working at
CBS-TV C in Los Angeles. Working
her way up she became a production Assistant
and worked on shows such as Dancing with
the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance,
American Idol, Tyra Banks Show, The Bold
and the Beautiful, Bill Maher, The Price
is Right and the Late, Late Show with Craig
Ferguson. Working at CBS kept her
grounded as she pursued her first love,
acting, and she began to get parts, including
on television shows such Cold Case, the
OC, The Guardian, Las Vegas, Missmatch,
Gilmore Girls, Scrubs, and the daytime
drama, The Bold and the Beautiful, and
several pilot shows that never aired. Her
film credits include the movie X’s
and O’s, and Red man and Method Man
Take Over. She recently has been
working on the film, The Other Me, as Sherry
Shaffer, a semi-biopic of her time as a
TV Anchorwoman. Amelie has been involved
in several movies shot in Buffalo and the
Toronto area. She splits her time
between those two cities, as well as New
York City and Los Angeles. When
in Buffalo she works as a TV Account Executive
at WIVB, Channel 4 .
Emil
Novak (local arts
community liaison) Festival Contact: EmilN@buffaloniagarfilmfestival.com
Emil J. Novak is the CEO of Buffalo Nickel
Productions LLC. Since 2004 BNP has produced
six feature length films. Originally a
comic book artist, Emil veered into
other creative realms, including filmmaking
where he has worn the hats of screenwriter,
director, development, producer and executive
producer. His background in art enables
him to provide rich design and
composition in his films. Since 2004 BNP
has been involved with the production of
six feature length films.
Presently, Buffalo Nickel Productions
is the only production company actively
making feature movies in the WNY area.
His motto is, "The best movie
set in the world is Buffalo!" For
more information, see: http://www.myspace.com/bansheethemovie
Evan
Pease (webmaster) Festival Contact: EvanP@buffaloniagarafilmfestival.com
Evan Pease has spent the last ten years
involved in the local motion picture and
commercial video scene. His involvement
includes commercial pictures, music videos
and independent films. Some of his
projects have included work as a graphic
designer and Behind-the-Scenes Videographer
for Troma Films’ Poultrygeist, graphic
designer for The Dissection of Thanksgiving, cinematographer
for Buffalo Nickel Productions’ Banshee,
gaffer on The Cuckold, and multiple
dutieson Of Dreams and Glory. Evan’s
most recent commercial project was as a
producer, editor, and cinematographer on
a locally made television pilot titled "Discs" which
premiered to Buffalo audiences in 2007.
His hands-on work at 3C Mutlimedia includes
dozens of projects, including music videos,
acting workshop DVD’s, website work
and development and he is also a film editor,
sound engineer and production designer. Evan
is the Buffalo Niagara Film Festival’s
website guru and designer.
Charles
Quinniey (Website
and Design) Contact: CharlesQ@buffaloniagarafilmfestival.com Charles Quinniey
is a Graphic Artist/3D Animator
and Studio Camera Operator for
WKBW, Channel 7, the local ABC
affiliate. He graduated
from the International Academy
of Design in Toronto, with a
Certification in 3D Animation,
and holds a BA degree from Morehouse
College in Atlanta Georgia. Charles
has worked with several media
organizations, including Buffalo
Nickel City Productions, Fear
Not Films, and The Voice Squad
Voice Acting Club. He also was
a founding member of Reel Buffalo,
a short-film production company
that includes other committee
members Emil Novak and DonnaMarie
Vaughan. Charles volunteers with
Western New York Media Professionals
where he mentors and trains students
interested in a career in television
production.
Nikki
M. Radice (intern/volunteer) Festival Contact: NikkiR@buffaloniagarafilmfestival.com Nikki currently studies
Media Production at SUNY-UB in their
undergraduate program. A newcomer
to media studies she has always had a
passion for films and is very excited
to be a part of the Buffalo Niagara Film
Festival team. She has undertaken
several projects with great flair and
has proven herself a dedicated and dependable
addition to the committee. In her free
time she likes to stay active by biking,
playing tennis and basketball. An avid
pro sports fan, she loves to cheer on
her beloved Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo
Bills.
Scottpatrick
Sellitto (special
events advisor) Festival Contact: Scottpatrick@buffaloniagarafilmfestival.com Scottpatrick has
been a musician since the age
of 5 and music remains his first
love and passion. After
being a musician for many years,
Scottpatrick turned his love
of music into booking bands for
concerts and festivals, as well
as for scoring movies and providing
soundtracks. He has traveled
the country and parts of the
world. His background as
a research scientist in biochemistry
remains his profession, but Scottpatrick
remains devoted to music
and occasionally still plays
when he has the time.
DonnaMarie
Vaughan (sponsorships/promotions) Festival Contact: DonnaMarie@buffaloniagarafilmfestival.com
A native WNY’er, DonnaMarie has been
involved in theater for over 20 years. A
few of her successes include winning the
Area Playwrights Performance Series in
1988 for her full-length play, SECOND TUESDAYS,
and winning the 1995 National Comedy Compact
Award for her short play, STUCK, which
was adapted into a short film and won First
Prize from the Buffalo Video and Movie
Maker Club in 1998. As a screenwriter,
she has won several awards, including the
Grand Prize in 2003 from the Direct to
the Agents Screenwriting Competition for
her romantic comedy, A DATE FOR THE WEDDING.
Her murder-mystery crime-drama, GUARDIAN
ANGEL, is on option with a German production
company. As an actress, DonnaMarie
has appeared in independent films, corporate
videos and commercials; you might recognize
her in the Catholic Health Systems Partner
in Rehab commercials on Channel 4. As
a reader and script evaluator, she currently
works for the Hollywood Outreach Program
(HOP), Carl Sautter TV Writing Competition,
Buffalo Niagara Film Festival and as a
dramaturg for the Alleyway Theater’s
annual Maxim Mazumdar New Play Competition.
Among her many creative endeavors, DonnaMarie
is currently developing a dramatic TV series
and considering producing her first feature
film based on one of her scripts later
this year or in early 2009.
Suzanne
Zorich-Feathers (hospitality) Festival Contact: SuzanneZ@buffaloniagarafilmfestival.com
Duties: Hospitality, Gifting & Donations,
Sponsorships
Suzanne began her career as a forensic
anthropologist, but seeing how those situations
weren't that funny, she moved to Los Angeles
and is now an alumni of The Second City
Conservatory and Improv Olympic West. While
in LA, she performed regularly with her
sketch comedy group "The
McGillicuddys" and was last on stage
in the 2006 LA Sketch Comedy Festival. She
brought her characters to Universal
Studios where she wrote and acted with
fellow comedian Kristen Wiig from SNL.
A few of her films include' "The Store", "Boxes" and "The
Maize II" and has portrayed a
doctor many times for different Lifetime
Television shows such as "Strong Medicine".
She has also shot and did voice-overs for
many commercials over the years such as
Time Warner Cable, Hallmark and Mastercard ™.
In the meantime, Suzanne
learned the ropes of the business working
as an assistant to Judi Brown, senior
producer of the HBO US Comedy Arts Festival
in Aspen and manager for comedians such
as Eugene Levy. She also was an assistant
for Martin Landau's production company
Miracle Entertainment. Suzanne currently
works with video production and does editing
through her videography business, SZF Productions.
Thank
You to all of our Sponsors from 2008 for
your support!
Bill
Cowell – Founder/President/Chairman
Michael
Marszalkowski – Festival Director/Co-Chairman 
Joshua
Pollack – Festival Director/Co-Chairman
Crissy
Tonsi – Festival Director
Daniele
Suissa – Festival Director
Dick
Delson – Festival Advisor
Jane
Delson – Festival Advisor
Tom
Holland – Festival Advisor
Madeline
Claire Franklin (intern/volunteer
)
David
Gray (security/special
events) 
Rob
Imbs (location coordinator/technical
advisor) 
Gregory
Lamberson (publicity)
Chris
Laski (Graphic Design)
Amelie
McKendry (volunteer) 
Emil
Novak (local arts
community liaison)
Evan
Pease (webmaster)
Charles
Quinniey (Website
and Design)
Nikki
M. Radice (intern/volunteer) 
Scottpatrick
Sellitto (special
events advisor) 
DonnaMarie
Vaughan (sponsorships/promotions)
Suzanne
Zorich-Feathers (hospitality)
