The Brooklyn International Film Festival brings the world together over Popcorn?

Cinergy was the tagline of the 2008 Brooklyn International Film Festival. The 11th Edition of Marco Ursino’s brainchild, continues to impress and inspire.

A great definition of the word synergy that I like is… a dynamic conception of human, divine and cosmic cooperation.

This year’s line up at the Brooklyn International Film Festival continues to impress by the quality of films that they have in their lineup.

Be sure to read the story for insight, pics and video!!!

Check out BIFF’s trailer for this year: Cinergy

A longer silent version of this trailer was playing at the after party, and it was a huge hit!!!

When I look at impact that the (BIFF) has on Cinematography, I am empowered as a creative who wants to find a way to contribute evolving art and media. Discovering, Exposing and Promoting independent film-makers is a vision that has the ability to expand the viewers mind to cutting edge culture.

Check out a vintage commercial from 2004 that proves Brooklyn’s HOT!!!

The Brooklyn International Film Festival (BIFF) Opened on Friday May 30th at the Booklyn Lyceum.

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The friendly and knowledgeable staff of the BIFF ensured that all film lovers had the velvet rope treatment.

There has been an abundance of hype for many of the films that (BIFF) has in it’s lineup, but it seems none more controversial and intriguing than the film on Opening night.

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The film that was shown on “Opening Night” is called “Able Danger”, which is an 85 minute feature filmed in Brooklyn. There was notable buzz and coverage of the film in many different new media, and traditional media sources.

“Able Danger” is a film based on the controversial book called “The Big Wedding” written by Sander Hicks journalist and owner a unique “Fair Trade” coffee shop in Brooklyn called VOX POP that’s tagline is… (Coffe, Books, Democracy).

The Director and Producer Paul Krik took a unique approach in creating a fusion of of the action and intensity of a film like Bourne Identity and mashed it up in a hysterical exaggerated mix of sexual tension that is reminiscent of 1954 movie “On the Waterfront” as well as some real world topics.

What is unique about this film from many other action thrillers that have hit the entertainment landscape, is that while this is not a documentary of real events, it touches on a topic that most people in the world today can resonate with.

And no matter what your beliefs is about what happened before, on and after the extremely tragic events of 9-11, this film truly captivated and hypnotized the audience on OPENING DAY through a combination of amazing effects, interesting plot and subject matter as well as a mix of entertaining characters and score.

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After the Film the Director and Producer Paul Krik as well as Sander Hicks, the Writer of the book “The Big Wedding” did a Q+A with it’s audience.


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(Watch the Trailer from “Able Danger - The Movie”)

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After the film, at the Brooklyn Lyceum which is a hot spot for the creative underground culture had a well put together after party that was a good time.

The after-party was well done, and held the Cinergy theme as people came together to party. The after-party had solid DJ, a good vibe and Stella Beer which was a key sponsor.

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One of the most talked about aspects of the “After Party” was a highly creative dance montage that took place on the streets of Brooklyn, that included a cast of dancers that synergistically was able to capture the energy of the city through humorous style and creativity. The piece was Directed by BIFF founder Marco Ursino and was coreographed by Ombretta Agro among a very talented team.

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(Jerry T with Cilia Gonzalez /BIFF Public Relations, Maitland Mcdoagh Sr. Movies Editor TV Guide Online and Frank Lovee/ Newsday Columnist and Film Journal International Film Critic)

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The Brooklyn International Film Festival also featured films out of there line up at the Brooklyn Heights Cinema and at the Lumenhouse.

While the BIFF’s line up was impressive, I only had a chance to checkout 2 other films besides Able Danger. I also saw “Fix” and “Out of Bounds”.

I was impressed at the realness of both of these films. They both took the viewer down very different emotional journeys.

Look out for a follow up review of both Fix and Out of Bounds in the near future.

Fix: Check out the Trailer!

Click Here for their Website!!!

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Out of Bounds:

Check out the Trailer!

Click Here to go to the Movie’s site!

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Awards: 2008 Edition Winners

GRAND CHAMELEON AWARD
FIX directed by TAO RUSPOLI

BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE
FIX directed by TAO RUSPOLI

BEST DOCUMENTARY - Diane Seligman Award
CARNY directed by ALISON MURRAY

BEST NARRATIVE SHORT
ON THE LINE directed by RETO CAFFI

BEST EXPERIMENTAL
FLYING LESSON directed by R. CHAMECKI, P. HARDER, A. LERNER

BEST ANIMATION
24 FRAMES directed by BRAD PATTULLO

SPIRIT AWARDS
Feature APOLLO 54 directed by GIORDANO GIULIVI
Documentary ABC COLOMBIA directed by ENRICA COLUSSO
Short THE LINE directed by KENT BASSETT
Experimental NIGHTWALKING directed by Ellen Blom
Animation HEZURBELTZAK, A COMMON GRAVE directed by IZIBENE OÑEDERRA

BEST NEW DIRECTOR
KEVAN TUCKER for THE UNIDENTIFIED

AUDIENCE AWARDS Feature THE COLLECTIVE directed by JUDSON MORGAN & KELLY OVERTON?Documentary CRAWFORD directed by DAVID MODIGLIANI?Short CROSSE directed by LIOVA JEDLICKI?Experimental MACHINE WITH WISHBONE directed by RANDALL OKITA?Animation THE LONG JOURNEY HOME directed by BILLIE MINTZ & JEFFREY STEWART TIMMINS

CERTIFICATE FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT?Screenplay ILMAR RAAG for THE CLASS?Production PAUL KRIK for ABLE DANGER?Cinematography FILIP ZUMBRUNN for OUT OF BOUNDS?Editing GIORDANO GIULIVI for APOLLO 54?Score BART WESTERLAKEN for PANMAN, RHYTHM OF THE PALMS?Best Female Actor MARIE-LUISE SCHRAMM for NOTHING ELSE MATTERS?Best Male Actor SHAWN ANDREWS for FIX

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FESTIVAL BACKGROUND?BiFF was established in 1998 as the first international competitive film festival in New York. BiFF’s primary goal is to connect filmmakers to distribution companies and expose them to the media.

Many films that have premiered at BiFF in past years went on to be released theatrically and/or are available at video stores near you.

The role of the BIFF is to discover, expose and promote emerging independent filmmakers who stand out. What I admire about the BIFF is how they think locally, but act internationally as they promote International films and share what is emerging in the arts to the heart of Brooklyn and beyond.

Be sure to check out there site. Click Here!!!

(All Photos of the event by Raphael Dabreo - NYC Grind.com)