The Big Apple meets Hollywood at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival

Film festivals have often been perceived as the breeding grounds for both potential, upcoming artists and noted artists in the film industry – with movies created by filmmakers hailing from around the world presented with as much skill and effort as put in by their major corporate counterparts.

The New York International Independent Film and Video Festival (NYIIFVF) and the New York Art Festival (NYAF) is the very largest of these events, an 8-day film festival attracting cinematic artists from nearly 20 nations, including Australia, India, Mexico and the United Kingdom – past works portrayed by Hollywood majors such as Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Aniston, George Clooney, Vin Diesel, Calista Flockhart and famed comedian Andy Garcia.

This past March 1-8, The NYIIFVF proudly returned to Los Angeles for its bi-annual showcase of the latest independent films from around the globe. On opening night, the NYIIFVF began its celebrations with a film/art market and networking party at the Grand Ballroom in the Bel Age Hotel. Film screenings followed throughtout the week exclusively at the legendary Laemmle Sunset 5 Theatre, located in the heart of the sunset strip in West Hollywood.

Celebrities attending throughout the 8-day extravaganza of films and parties included actor Burt Young, best known for his roles in Rocky Balboa, Transamerica, Chinatown and HBO’s hit series The Sopranos, and Brittany Daniel of The Basketball Diaries, who also appeared in The Last of the Romantics at the festival. Other guests at the festival included Scott Harden – known for his work with YouTube hit Hendrix TV, Russian wonder actress Natasha Alam (CSI, Bold and the Beautiful and Nip/Tuck), indie actress Rebekah Salgado (who starred in Eric Robert’s latest film out), Italian artist and VJ Julyo and Melinda Esquibel of Participant Productions, a group renowned for their work in double-Oscar winner An Inconvenient Truth. Notable actors featured in this year’s films included Patrick Dempsey, Anthony Quinn, William Shatner and Danny Trejo (Sherrybaby).

NYIIFVF, known as "the voice of independent film," showcased 100 films from more than 15 countries and hosted filmmakers, delegates, press, distributors, indie film lovers and celebrities. NYIIFVF, passionate about exposing the work of emerging filmmakers from all over the globe, is the place to be seen an reviewed by the best of the best. Although competitive in nature, it was designed to offer a window into the industry for the latest filmmakers and screenwriters, sharing the very passion felt by these upcoming individuals and ultimately aspiring them to go further in their fields by premiering their films at this event.

One director receiving such encouragement for his craft was Kimball Carr, as audiences shouted their appreciation for two of his, in conjunciton with Star Circle Pictures, Los Angeles Premieres at the Laemmle Sunset 5 during the post Oscar festival blitz.  His first offering, Revolver, was intelligently directed and is kinda tense, kinda dreamy and offers a high caliber starring performance by Ethan Marten (First Landing, Eddie, Indiana Jones Chronicles), in a movie both equal parts Twilight Zone and Frank Capra.  The Second Star Circle Pictures screen gem to be featured during the L. A. tour of the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival, Samaritan, starring Johnny Alonso (One Tree Hill, Blu) was suspenseful and dramatic.  Not only did Samaritan take a “Best of” in N.Y., it was the first movie shot and completed with the Panasonic AG HVX 200 High Definition Camera.  There was no film or tape involved!  Footage went straight to the hard drive from P2 Cards, and editing took place on set!  Two nights, and 81 set-ups later, Star Circle Pictures laid claim to pushing both the motion picture arts and sciences. SCP has developed newer production flows, and even proprietary software that the principals will be using later this year for their upcoming feature, The 7th Stranger.

An additional work making its world premiere at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival was Daryush Shokof’s “Breathful”, a film produced by Shokof’s Godhattan Productions.  It was an international masterpiece in both quality and entertainment.

“Breathful” presents a film strictly featuring women (an ideal movie for some men) and centers around two friends who’s lives go astray as they grow up and become drug dealers and the cohorts of fearless organized crime leaders, auto thieves and an angelic taxi driver constantly reminding the girls of the choices they make in life and their consequences.

Although beginning a bit late, the film opened to a roaring applause on the last day of the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival at the Laemmle Sunset 5.  With the very first shot, it shows  a dedication to the pain, suffering and general injustice women endure in their struggles through life. Spouts of violence and comedy season the film as the two friends struggle to deal drugs and pay off their merciless drug-lord boss while trying to  preserve their own lives in the process.

“Breathful” is complimented with an all star cast of cinematic European wonders such as famed German music pop star Jasmin Wagner (who plays Maxi – a corrupt auto dealer), Taies Farzan (who plays Berta – one of the two wayward girlfriends), an actress who has also had experience in other fields as a writer, director and producer and veteran actress Souzan Alavi who brings the angelic taxi driver Benny Hur to life in the film.

Much of the movie’s music is done by European musical group L.B.P. and offers the audience an insightful cinematic piece with heart and unabashed violence, showing the diehard struggles of women trying to survive in an all too corrupt and unforgiving real world.

An after-party was held at the trend-setting Cabana Club held by NYIIFVF founder and executive producer Stuart Alson and charismatic event-planner Renata Lorenc of Rula PR, allowing attendees a place to network and make connections after the celebrated film festival.

Major corporate sponsors for the NYIIFVF included Sony Vaio, Ready Two Go and electronics giant Sony Vaio.

www.nyfilmvideo.com