“LONG ISLAND WINE COUNTRY FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES DATES FOR UPCOMING SUMMER FILM FESTIVAL EVENT”
NEW YORK, NY [July 20, 2008] -- The Organizers of Long Island Wine Country Film Festival (LIWCFF) are gearing up for their 2nd annual film festival, taking place July 31 - August 3, 2008 at the exquisite Martha Clara vineyard in Riverhead. The festival will showcase ten stunning films from around the world including, the U.K , Singapore and Australia.
This year's LIWCF is larger and more diverse and will also include children's animation. The festival partnered with the leading worldwide film network, www.withoutabox.com to receive film submissions, thus giving filmmakers a great opportunity to showcase their work, connect with audiences and network with industry professionals. The festival ethos is very much concentrated on a synergistic blend of entertaining films and great wine in a beautiful setting.
FEATURED FILMS PROGRAMMED BY BEN THOMPSON:
Gita Sings The Blues: Sita is a goddess separated from her beloved Lord and husband Rama. Nina is an animator whose husband moves to India, then dumps her by email. Three hilarious shadow puppets narrate both ancient tragedy and modern comedy in this beautifully animated interpretation of the Indian epic Ramayana. Set to the 1920's jazz vocals of Annette Hanshaw, Sita Sings the Blues earns its tag line as "The Greatest Break-Up Story Ever Told."
*Directed by Nina Paley
The Dysfunctional Book Club: On Long Island's North Fork three women are trying to put their broken lives together the best they can after a series of disastrous relationships. In their epic - and hopelessly misguided - search for enlightenment and self-improvement, they turn to booze, drugs, horny Asian rock stars, karaoke, ex-porn actors, and a French Boy Toy named Laurent.
**Directed by Richard Griffin
PREMIERE: Starring Antonia Bennett (daughter of Tony Bennett), Charles Morgan, (son of Harry Morgan (M*A*S*H) Patrick Cohen ( "We Need Girlfriends" web series) and William Decoff - Showtime series Brotherhood).
Bitter and Twisted (AUSTRALIA): In the living room of a suburban home, Liam Lombard lays dying. His family watches - helpless. There was no warning. No signs. And no time for goodbyes. Three years later the self-destructive world of the four people who loved him most is inadvertently changed forever as they come to realize what really died that day was themselves.
**Directed by Christopher Weekes
Under There: Award-winning divine little comedy about that asks some pretty profound questions in a lighthearted way. Eight-year-old Samantha is playing soccer in a cemetery when a mourner named Roman takes offense at the little girl's failure to show what he considers to be proper respect for the dead. Roman scolds Samantha, then takes it upon himself to explain the Christian perspective upon death. Samantha listens politely; however, in the end, she clings to her unschooled understanding of the relationship between body and soul. As far as the naive Samantha is concerned, human beings simply return to the earth when they die. And you know what? She may very well be right. Rated the Top Short Film in the Spike Lee-sponsored Babelgum Online Film Festival for the week ending April 4th.
Starring Jasmine Anthony (Commander in Chief, Stephen King's 1408) and Richard Edson (Stranger than Paradise, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Do the Right Thing).
**Directed by Jeremy Dylan Lanni
Till Death: Pleading a headache, Michelle sends her tuxedo-clad husband off to a party without her. “Recovering” as soon as his car leaves the driveway, she hurries to let a hired killer, Hasker, in under the back fence. Michelle explains her murder scheme, “a simple home-invasion robbery gone awry.” Hasker sees a few problems with the plan. Besides finding it all too pat, he is slightly hurt that she planned it all without making use of his expertise. He suggests the more believable, site-specific murder possibilities of the third-floor balcony that fronts her husband's study. Hasker and Michelle finalize their plan and murder ensues.
**Directed by Erin Martin
The Trainee: (SINGAPORE) Somewhere along the equator on the Far East side of the world lies Singapore, a city made famous by beautiful, ever-smiling Singapore Airlines stewardesses. At 30,000 feet these dainty and demure creatures are only too happy to serve you beef, chicken, or a vegetarian option. But on the ground, customer service is a different story.
Meet “The Trainee.” She works the long haul, late shift in a 24-hour convenience store along Keong Saik Road - a road better known for the special customer service received in the brothels here. Tonight she's broken a freshly painted fingernail while closing the register. So you better think twice before venturing into her inconvenience store …
**Directed by Craig Rosenthal
Keith Reynolds Can't Make it Tonight: (UK) This is Keith Reynolds and today is promotion day. Having worked at the company eight years he is the most senior Junior Business Analyst in the building. He's been waiting for this day for a very long time.
**Directed by Felix Massie
Lure: James is a normal 13 year old. When a cute high school girl starts flirting with him, he's thrown for a loop. She wants him to come to her house for a good time, but the boy is nervous. Something just doesn't seem right…
**Directed by Mark Mollenkamp
Terminally Ambivalent Over You
This film is based on Stephen Coates' song from the album "When Psyche meets Cupid". The animation tells a story of a prisoner who works in a prison gramophone factory and while assembling gramophones thinks of his girlfriend.
**Directed by Alex Budovsky
Founder/Executive Director and filmmaker Lana Parshina commented, “We are proud of the Long Island Wine Country Film Festival. Our aim is to bring foreign films and some American gems to the region with a purpose to entertain the public and create awareness about Long Island Wine Country as a premium wine making region. Taking place in the busiest time of the season, the festival aims to attract both locals and guests to participate in a unique Arts event where filmmakers and audiences can enjoy amazing scenery and films from around the globe, attend after parties and network with filmmakers and industry players, ” added Parshina.
Executive Producer and proud sponsor of LIFF Natalie Azarov said,
“Cinderella travel is a proud to be associated with the Long Island Country Film Festival. We look forward to being part of a dynamic and enjoyable event that will appeal to everybody. ”
Bob Kern General Manager at Martha Clara commented, “We are pleased to host the second annual festival and we are really looking forward to celebrating new film premieres with Martha Clara wine.”
The festival recently expanded its staff to include established indie film publicist and event planner, Briege McGarrity who has publicized emerging filmmakers at festivals in Ireland, the U.K, France and all over the US. Ben Thompson signed on as the new programming director and brings four years of experience of working at the Tribeca Film Festival.
For more information and to receive press credentials, please contact publicity manager Briege McGarrity at 917. 783.4042 or via email at bmcgarritypr@aol.com or visit www.lifilmfest.com.
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