Film Festival: 55 picks, no pans
Some big names and promising newcomers figure in selection day

Staten Island Advance - Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Here's a double nickel that's bound to rev movie lovers' motors.

The SINY Film Festival's 55-entry slate for the June 5-8 extravaganza, announced yesterday.

The selections enhance the festival's reputation for showcasing top-notch movies, actors, actresses, directors, writers and worthwhile productions.

Consider these: "Fast Lane" and "Damages" star Peter Facinelli in the Oliver Stone-endorsed "Lily"; "Matlock" and "Lost" actor Daniel Roebuck; Alan Ritchson of "Smallville"; "Pulp Fiction" and "The Devil's Reject" actor Duane Whitaker, and actor Dennis Boutsikaris, whose name might be hard to pronounce but whose mug you've seen plenty of in TV hits "CSI," "Criminal Minds," "Law and Order" and "Monk."

Then mix in some lesser-knowns, like actress Jessica Hecht, who has been in "ER," "Dan in Real Life" and "Breaking Bad," and Robert Clohessy, now in the Fox's Channel's new hit series "New Amsterdam." Rounding out the cast is unknown yet hopefully up-and-coming 13-year-old Stapleton actress Noura Jost.

But the big draw is the independent filmmakers, who put their vision on the line and whose films were publicly announced yesterday by SINY Film Festival organizers at the Hilton Garden Inn, Bloomfield.

And organizers could not have been happier.

"We are very excited to showcase the 55 selected films from around the world," said Festival Director Jeannine Marotta. "The quality of the films will truly entertain and captivate audiences."

This year's sponsors announced the selections with help from some local celebrity representatives in their own right, including Brian Laline, editor of the Advance; Kim Seggio of Richmond County Savings Foundation (presenting sponsor); Gina Gutman of Time Warner Cable; Joe Rende of National Grid, and Assemblyman Michael Cusick.

With an eye to making things easier for the viewing audience, this year's event consolidates all the films within five theaters inside the Center for the Arts at the College of Staten Island, Willowbrook. There's also a hip, brand-new pocket guide, showed off by Scott Gerber of Gerber Entertainment. The guide makes film selection easier, as movies are classified according to genre: "Apocalypse Now"; "Kick-Butt Action Extravaganza"; "Heard Around the World" (immigrant issues) and "In the Line of Fire."

In addition, this year's event will feature a musical component; a panel discussion with the Mayor's Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting; three film offerings from Channel 13; a block of film entries from CSI students; four days of free family films hosted at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George, and the June 2-8 Restaurant Week, offering $20.08 prix fixe, three-course meals at local eateries.

The 55 films will not only vie for the public's viewing attention, but also top prize in one of 20 categories such as Best Picture, Best Feature Screenplay and Best Director.

The excitement was great for first-time writer/director Anthony Tarsitano, whose film, "Calling it Quits," featuring Boutsikaris, is, at age 54 -- his first foray into filmmaking.

"After 30 years of working, it was my first chance to do something I've always been planning to do. It's a new direction for me," he said.

Equally elated was filmmaker Alain Alfaro, 26, of Mariners Harbor.

"I feel good about it. It's been a long process and journey for me. And this [is] when you realize all your work is starting to come to light."

The film "Rex" marks the first-time entry for New Springville producer Samuel Borowski, former Advance staffer whose Quentin Tarantino-esque flick stars the aforementioned Roebuck and Ritchson, a throbbing soundtrack and attractive 18-year-old Robin Ann Phipps of Long Island, who was twice nominated as Best Actress for Canada's Leo Award.

Borowski said in the past the timing to enter just wasn't right, "But you know, [Staten Island's festival] is growing and I live here and there's no reason I shouldn't be in this festival, and we made it happen," he said.

The Audience Choice Award is sponsored by Borough President James Molinaro.

This year's ambassador is Walter Daszkowski.

The SINY Film Festival (formerly the Staten Island Film Festival) is a program of the Staten Island Economic Development Corp. Additional sponsors are: Northfield Savings Bank; Assemblyman Matthew Titone; City Councilmen Michael McMahon and James Oddo, and the Staten Island Board of Realtors.

Visit the CSI Events Calendar for screening information on campus

Visit the Film Fesitval's Official Website

By Kiawana Rich
Reprinted here with permission from the