Jurors Include Award-Winning Filmmakers, Producers, Screenwriters, and Directors
Long Beach, NY (September, 2015) -- The Long Beach International Film Festival (LBIFF) recently announced its jurors – a diverse and talented group of six individuals including award-winning filmmakers and screenwriters, directors, publicists, distributors, talent agents, and media pioneers. With a roster of over 80 films from around the world ranging in categories from feature-length narratives to short films, documentaries, and animated movies, jurors will be selecting the absolute best in each group for various award categories and honors!
With such a fantastic jury made up of a wide range of accomplished individuals in their respective fields- each is sure to bring a fresh, well-rounded perspective while watching and discussing the films in competition. With winners in categories such as Best Feature Film receiving one complementary studio day at Grumman Studios in Bethpage, NY along with the services of a colorist from Technicolor to assist in any future projects, jurors will be tasked with picking only the best each group has to offer!
The astounding lineup for this years festival will include films such as “Lamotta: The Bronx Bull”, a feature film from Director Martin Guigui starring William Forsythe, Paul Sorvino, Joe Mantegna and Tom Sizemore; Audience Winner of SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST “Landfill Harmonic”, from Directors Graham Townsley and Brad Allgood; “Till We Meet Again”, a NY based Dramatic Adventure Film by Director Bank Tangjaitrong; Oscar Winner Alex Gibney’s latest documentary "Steve Jobs: The Man In The Machine"; Foreign films such as “The Windmill” from South Africa, “To Life” from France and much more.
More About the LBIFF15 Jurors
Kate McEdwards works at NY-based independent distributor Oscilloscope Laboratories. Oscilloscope's prior releases have included Lynne Ramsay's “We Need to Talk About Kevin”, Kelly Reichardt's “Wendy and Lucy” and “Meek's Cutoff”, Banksy’s “Exit Through the Gift Shop”, Lana Wilson and Martha Shane's “After Tiller”, Andrea Arnold's “Wuthering Heights”, and Matteo Garrone's “Reality”. Current and upcoming releases include Anna Muylaert’s “Second Mother”, Grand Prix winner Alice Rohrwacher’s “The Wonders”, and top prize-winner at this year's Director's Fortnight, Ciro Guerra's “Embrace of the Serpent”.
Patrick Gerety is the New York-based Director of Programs for the Producers Guild of America East, where he is involved in the Guild's vast number of events, screenings, partnerships, and special projects, including the Produced By: New York conference. A Los Angeles native, Gerety earned his BA from Vassar College in Religious Studies and has worked in feature film (live action & animation), television, and new media development. His passion lies in writing and developing creative content and bringing community together.
A film publicist by trade for over 15 years, Maureen Masters served as Magnolia Pictures Head of Regional Publicity for the past 5 years and is currently involved in freelancing projects. She earned a BA in Journalism as well as a Masters in Communications, writing independent film reviews and working in film publicity throughout the country. Additionally, she has mentored young aspiring filmmakers, as well as served on many prominent film festival juries and panels.
Chris Kenneally is a writer/director and has been working in the movie industry since 1998. He co-directed and produced the documentary “Crazy Legs Conti: Zen And the Art of Competitive Eating” that was broadcast on A&E and Channel 5 UK. He wrote and directed the critically acclaimed documentary “Side By Side” which features host and producer Keanu Reeves interviewing luminaries such as James Cameron, Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan, George Lucas and others on the current state of filmmaking. The film was a New York Times Critic Pick, was chosen by the US State Department for the American Film Showcase and played theatrically across the world. It was broadcast nationally on PBS. “Side By Side” is part of the permanent archive at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC and The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.
David Paterson is a writer, professional stuntman, adjunct professor of screenwriting for NYIT of Manhattan, and serves on the Film Advisory Board for the Savannah, Gold Coast, First Time and Big Apple Film Festivals. He has served as a panelist for numerous film festivals in the U.S. and abroad, and is in great demand as a guest lecturer at colleges, universities and writer symposiums, most recently lecturing at the RIO IFF in Brazil. His films have premiered at Sundance, Tribeca and Palm Springs Film Festivals and won many awards and accolades. His latest film, “The Great Gilly Hopkins”, starring Glenn Close, Octavia Spencer, Kathy Bates and Julia Stiles opens in theaters this February. More about David can be found on IMDB or at www.arcadybayent.com
Kristina Cergol currently works in the NY offices of Gersh, a bi-coastal talent and literary agency representing actors, directors, writers and production personnel. Kristina arrived at Gersh after assisting with project development at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival. She has also helped to promote NY area film production through her work at the Nassau County Film Commission. Kristina produced and directed two short films while earning her degree in Boston University's nationally ranked film program.
As this eclectic group of Jurors have now officially been selected with a wide array of film and entertainment vocations between them, the 2015 Long Beach International Film Festival is sure to be a thrilling experience for all! Kicking off on Thursday, September 24th and running through Sunday, September 27th in the City of Long Beach, NY the event will once again branch off into Rockville Centre. Screening venues include the Madison Theatre, Molloy College: 1000 Hempstead Ave RVC NY; Long Beach Hotel: 405 East Broadway Long Beach NY, and Long Beach Cinema 4: 179 East Park Ave, Long Beach NY!
Plan Your Stay!
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Open Your House or Apartment to Guests From Around the World and Enjoy the Festival for FREE!
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Become A Volunteer:
Seeking Volunteers Who Share A Commitment to the Art of Filmmaking and Film!
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More About the Long Beach International Film Festival:
The Long Beach International Film Festival celebrates the art of storytelling through cinema. Presenting shorts, fiction and documentary formats, the festival is committed to exhibiting films that convey a fresh voice and differing perspectives. With past celebrity attendance including such big names as actors Burt Young, Scott Franklin, Daniel Baldwin, and Richard Pryor Jr.; Musicians Joan Jett and Dee Snider; comedian Joey Kola, and UFC fighter Weidman! The goal of these programs is to captivate, engage and enlighten audiences, provide invaluable exposure for filmmakers and present inspired entertainment. www.longbeachfilm.com
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