North Hempstead, NY – Last week, thousands of film enthusiasts gathered in North Hempstead to take part in the 3rd Annual Gold Coast International Film Festival (GCIFF). The event, which was presented in partnership with the Town of North Hempstead, was the most well-attended festival in its short history according to Gold Coast Arts Center representatives.
This year’s GCIFF screened 28 feature length films and 36 short films to audiences of adults, senior citizens, teens and kids from throughout the New York tri-state area. Films included New York and Long Island premieres from local, national and international filmmakers.
Since GCIFF’s inception, the festival and year-round film series have successfully brought the latest Hollywood hits and Indie favorites to the North Shore of Long Island.
There was a prominent comedic theme this year as well-known comedians were featured including Jackie “The Jokeman” Martling (formerly of the Howard Stern Show), Susie Essman (of HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm), Paul Provenza, and talented screenwriter Jeffrey Gurian. There were also dramas, thrillers, documentaries, animated films and foreign films (from India, France, Israel, Canada and Taiwan).
In addition there were many filmmaker question and answer sessions that entertained, educated and inspired. Some of this year’s most well-attended events included:
- A beautiful and life-affirming film “The Genius of Marian” about a family dealing with Alzheimer’s attracted over 130 attendees on Monday, Oct. 21. A question and answer session following the film featured a distinguished panel from North Shore LIJ speaking about the realities of Alzheimer’s and how it affects the entire family.
- Following the showing of the musical comedy “How Sweet it is,” on October 22nd at Soundview Cinemas in Port Washington, Paul Sorvino (best known for his role in Goodfellas) joined filmgoers for a one hour question and answer session.
- Five severely wounded Iraq/Afghanistan veterans worked with A-List comedians to heal through the power of humor in the documentary “Comedy Warriors” that screened on October 24th. The filmmakers and two of the veterans who developed their own stand-up acts as part of the documentary participated in a question and answer session.
- The festival wrapped up with a several events on Sunday, October 27th including a showing of the mob drama “Send No Flowers” directed by Long Island’s own Fred Carpenter, which included a Q&A with actors Sean Young, Gianni Russo, Jackie Martling, and Robert Clohessy.
This is the third year the Town of North Hempstead has collaborated with the Gold Coast Arts Center on this event.
“The main goal of this event is to bring art, culture, and film to the Town of North Hempstead,” North Hempstead Town Supervisor John Riordan said. “With thousands of filmgoers frequenting our Town last week, the festival once again provided an economic boost for our community.”
Gold Coast Arts Center Executive Director Regina Gil with Paul Sorvino at a Q&A session on October 22nd.
The cast and fans of “Send No Flowers” prior to the October 27th screening.