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What Our
Film & Acting School
Alumni
Are Doing Now
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Stjepan Klein, Milovan Radovic, Tiago Guedes, and Masataka Namba |
Stjepan Klein, Milovan Radovic, Tiago Guedes, and Masataka Namba, who attended NYFA in 1997/1998 are now working as advertising film directors collective under name of John Doe.
In 2007, they won a Grand Prix in Cannes for a commercial for Spanish market in Direct Marketing section.
Learn more about them on www.johndoefilms.tv.
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Anne-Sophie |
Anne-Sophie Dutoit at the LA Premiere of "Vicky Cristina Barcelona", Woody Allen's new film at the Village Theater in Westwood, California
Anne Sophie's Official Web Site
Faded Memories is Anne Sophie's first feature film
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Feature Film: Through the Glass |
Stephanie Okereke
(8 week film and 8 week screenwriting)
Actor, Writer, and Director
Jane Lawata
(one year producer) - Editor
Sarah Ogechni Onyeahor
(one year prodcuer) - AD
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Annie Wood & Frederik Boll
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August 2008 1-year Documentary Program grads, Annie Woods and Frederik Boll, are "driving the
movement" in the BamaBus, working to bolster the youth vote in the swing states. Annie and Frederik are, literally, driving a bus across the country and documenting their efforts. Their journey has garnered much attention over the last few weeks. Click on the following links to see some of their footage and press coverage.
Learn more on http://www.artthechange.org/obamamobile/
Fred's Danish V-logs can be seen on blog.Politiken:
http://blog.politiken.dk/obamabussen/2008/10/15/et
-rugbroed-for-obama/
YouTube vlogs:
BamaBus 1
BamaBus 2
 Background: This trip is essentially chapter 2 of what began as the "Obama Sisters" (Annie Woods and her sister Samantha) inaugural trip in August, when the sisters drove their Obama Mobile, a Volvo completely covered in Obama stickers, to the Democratic National convention getting press all along the way. Annie completely forgot to ever plug herself as a filmmaker during that trip (in spite of my repeated nudging). The Doc tie-ins are much better this trip.
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Jessica Rose |
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Jessica Rose
I Know Who Killed Me
"Lonelygirl15" .
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NYFA 1 Year Filmmaking Program: Chip McAllister |
 Chip McAllister
1 year Filmmaking Program at
Universal Studios
NYFA thesis film, "Precious Time" is proudly accepted to the 2009 Vines Shorts Fest. |
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Jong W. Lee
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Jong W. Lee, who attended NYFA's One Year Filmmaking program in 2001, shot Roses Have Thorns. He is the director of the film. His film, Roses Have Thorns tells the story about a cross cultured couple with a strained relationship. As the events unfold in a voyeuristic view through each persons perspective we experience the hidden agendas and views of everyone involved. Separated through various colors of roses leading to the prick of the thorn that lies beneath their perspecitve of what happened.
In 2008, Roses Have Thorns have been Officially selected by New York International Independent Film & Video Festival SoCal Independent Film Festival, Napervilie Independent Film Festival, Red Bank International Film Festival and Oakland International Film Festival.
Learn more about him and his films on www.cinemasia.org.
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NYFA Alumni: Jennifer Gargano |
Jennifer Gargano – New York 2005
Blood, Sweat & Brando
Birds of America
The Sopranos
Gracie
Natale a New York
Wonder Showzen
Hamlet in the Hamptons |
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Thomas Zinsli
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We are very proud of our former student, Thomas Zinsli who attended NYFA's One Year Filmmaking program in 2007, his film, Lesson in Humility, won the award for "Best Editing" at the Strasbourg Film Festival in France and the "Best Director" award at the New York Short Film Festival. In the meantime the film was officially selected for the program of eight festivals in the USA and Europe.
Learn more about him and his films on www.thomaszinsli.com.
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Diane Neal |
Diane Neal needs copy |
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Jenny McNabb
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Jenny McNabb, who attended NYFA's 8-week Filmmaking program in 2005, shot COWBOY: A LOVE STORY, a five-minute comedy short, as her final project. She is the writer, director, and producer of the film.
COWBOY is the sly tale of a delusional young ranch hand who travels to the city on foot to win back his one true love. While her disapproving family has warned him away, and she seems unresponsive, he remains obsessed.
This summer (2008), COWBOY was picked up for distribution by Shorts International, who will be handling worldwide sales.
Shorts International has also chosen COWBOY as one of two shorts they are qualifying for the 2009 Academy Awards, and plan to launch COWBOY on iTunes in the near future.
COWBOY's festival run so far includes the first Alamosa Film Festival, Flatland Film Festival, Tucson Film & Music Festival, and Wildsound Toronto.
Currently, Jenny is in pre-production on her next short film and finalizing the script for her feature directing debut.
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JOSHUA LEONARD |
Congratulationsto New York Film Academy film school graduate, Joshua Leonard, for his impressive body of work.
You may remember Joshua from the feature, “The Blair Witch Project” which ran a very successful viral marketing campaign to promote the documentary style film. He also acted in the HBO Films production “Live From Baghdad” starring Michael Keaton and has many other film and television credits. Most recently, Joshua directed a documentary called “Beautiful Losers” about the DIY artistry of creative people involved in underground movements during the Nineties.
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Ron Davis
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We are so very proud of our former student Ron Davis who attended The New York Film Academy and in 2004 and was a top 10 finalist in the Esquire Magazine filmmaker competition with his film, "The Business Traveler". Now, as Co-Director/Producer of the film "PAGEANT" we are taken behind the scenes as 52 ordinary gentlemen go to extraordinary lengths in order to be crowned the 34th Miss Gay America®. This contest is about the art of illusion, so hormones and surgical body enhancements are forbidden.
The movie follows 5 of the most talented and beautiful female impersonators as they prepare to dominate in this underground competition. Hear from the men as well as from those in their entourage: husbands, mothers, sons, and little brothers.
Pageant features stunning musical numbers, while diving into the heart and soul of this make-believe world: the men behind the make up. Everybody has a dream; these men are making theirs a reality.
The film has won the Audience Award for Best Documentary at Frameline, the Jury Award for Best Documentary at Honolulu, the Audience Award for Best Feature at Newfest, as well as being official selections at Slamdance and Edinburgh. PAGEANT also won the audience award for best doc at the Florida Film Festival.
"PAGEANT" points out that Slamdance, which is now established enough to insist it is "less and less the redheaded stepchild of Sundance and more of its own special, viable construct," has a knack for picking docs that are wackier and more human than the ones at Sundance."
-Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
"It will steal your heart away in a way you'd never expect. Everyone will have a favorite."
-Amy Sewell, Filmmaker, MAD HOT BALLROOM
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Courtney Feming |
 Courtney Fleming – Univeresal 2004
The United States of Tara (Pilot)
An American Carol (filming)
The Goods: The Don Ready Story (filming)
Surfer Dude (post production)
Still Waiting… (post production)
Street Dreams (completed)
Greek
Senior Skip Day
Not Another HS Show |
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Mohamed Diab
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Mohamed Diab, who attended NYFA’s Screenwriting Program in 2005, is breaking box office records in Egypt with his latest film, El Gezira (The Island). Based on a true story about civil wars taking place in Upper Egypt, the film tells the story of the struggle between warring tribes, police and local drug lords.
Diab collaborated in on the film with one of Egypts biggest directors, Sherif Arafa. El Gezira is Diab's second feaure length film after Ahlam Hakikiya (Perchance to Dream).
Learn more about Diab's film by visiting the official site - www.elgezirafilm.com .
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Angelica Alvarez |
 Angelica Alvarez – New York 2006
You’re Nobody until Somebody Kills You
Coming Soon
Triple Trouble
Damages-TV
Verizon-commercial
Ebay-Commercial
Miss Dominican Republic Latina 2006 |
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Pedro Ultreras
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Recent NYFA graduate Pedro Ultreras is currently premiering his debut feature-length film at multiple International film festivals, including the New York International Latino Film Festival, taking place on July 24th. His film, 7 Soles (Seven Suns) tells the story of "Negro" (Gustavo Sánchez Parra) who gets hired to smuggle a group of undocumented migrants into the United States. He wants out of the smuggling business and claims this will be his last trip. His superiors, now suspicious, send Gavilán, a younger smuggler, to keep an eye on him. During the troubled crossing that lasts seven days across the Arizona desert, the smugglers fight and eventually lose part of their human “cargo.” “Negro” now finds himself on the run –from his former associates and the law.
Check out the trailer for 7 Soles on the film's official site, www.7soleslapelicula.com
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Gianfranco L'Amore |
Gianfranco L'Amore moved to LA in 2000, and upon completing his training at NYFA, he has appeared in films such as: Jekyll, The Good German, Date Movie, Fun with Dick and Jane, Monster-in-Law, Ocean’s Twelve and many more. He currently has 2 films in post-production and has done stunt work for television shows such as The Amazing Race. |
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Trevor Matthews
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Trevor Matthews, New York Film Academy Alumni and co-founder of Brook Street Pictures Corporation will be debuting his first feature film in Ottawa, Canada this coming Friday, July 17, 2008.
The film, Brooks: Monster Slayer is a horror flick which stars Matthews and actor Robert Englund who was made famous in his role as child-killer, Freddie Kruger.
This isn’t the first film that Matthews has directed or starred in. He has also been in 2007’s Moment of Truthas well as Still Life and Teen Massacre.
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Dyana Liu |
 Since completing NYFA, Dyana already has two feature films in post-production, Por Vida and Thunder Geniuses. She has also appeared in the TV Show, The Unit. Currently, Dyana is in production of Director, Wu Ping's film, Between the Sand and the Sky. |
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Irman Khan
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Irman Khan attended film school at our Universal Studios, Hollywood location and ironically studied directing. He even worked briefly as a director in Los Angeles before being cast in Bollywood blockbuster "Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na".
Khan just wrapped his second film "Kidnap" set to come out this August. He is keeping busy and just started work on his third film feature film"Luck". We wish our new Bollywood star all the luck in the world. We can't wait to see his upcoming films!
Movie Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeYUYIlRz7Q
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Danny Lopes |
Danny Lopes – New York
The Ocean (pre-production)
Co-Ed Confidentials
Brothers and Sisters
Satan’s Playground
Nikos
Horror
Desecration |
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Eddie Mariano
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NYFA alumni, Eddie Mariano recently won the Toshiba "One to Watch" competition. Toshiba asked filmmakers to create a thirty second spot highlighting all the aspects of their new REGZA LCD, while keeping the commercial light and humorous.
Marianos commercial is currently being featured on Toshiba’s REGAZA show room site. We are excited to see the commercial getting so much attention and we are sure he had a bright future ahead of him!
COMMERCIAL: http://tacp.toshiba.com/regza/commercial.html
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Patricia Goodsell |
Patricia Goodsell – Universal 2005
The Eye
Rush Hour 3
Antigone
Yes I Do Forever
Aspiring Angels |
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Paulo Costas
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Alumni, Paulo Costas will be participating in the fifth annual Salento International Film Festival (SIFF).
Costas will be competing in the category, “The World in Short.” Filmmakers in this category will fight for the title of best international short-film. Costas has chosen to enter his film, “Direct Mail” which he created while attending the New York Film Academy.
Good Luck!
Movie Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTvbLPdxGkU
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Jen Araki |
Jen Araki is a member of SAG with television credits such as: Sopranos, The Mens Room, The Post Show, Beach Girls Trailer and worked with stations such as MTV, VH1, Lifetime, and Spike Productions. Film credits include: Super Ex Girlfriend, December 16, Case Cold, and Formal Rocks. |
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COOKIE
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 We congratulate the production company, LMF Productions and our three producing alumni who are partners in the company they formed while at NYFA.
Their movie "COOKIE" will participate in the New Latino Filmmakers Screening Series at Anthology Film Archives (New York's only independent Latino "cinematheque" showcase).
It's About: Three boys from Queens. A missing wallet. And a prostitute named Cookie.
Here is the link to the trailer:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=uBH9dZebIFE
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Hadley Hege |
Hadley Hege – New York 2005
The Audition (off-Broadway)
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Love on a Bicycle |
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YLENIA CASTILLO, ERIKA COLON, AND YADIRA GARCIA
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 "Rag Doll" produced at NYFA by Erika Colon (written & directed by NYFA alum Cecile Davidovici) was accepted into the Women's International Film Festival in Miami, Florida. Not only did the film receive great reviews from the audience but the film won BEST INTERNATIONAL STUDENT FILM.
Also, a film Yadira Garcia produced at NYFA titled, "Precious Pretentious" (written & directed by NYFA alum Sara Seligman) was accepted into the Clermont-Ferrand library. Mini Movie Channel, a newly created multimedia outlet are interested in acquiring the rights to the film for commercial exhibition. Mini Movie Channel is an international company headquartered in Luxembourg and dedicated to short films. LMF Productions is also working with Sara Seligman to create webisodes based on this short film. Filming is scheduled for Summer 2008.
We look for big things from our LMF alumni as they have numerous projects in varying stages of production.
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DIETER GROHMANN |
Dear friends from the New York Film Academy,
After my time with you in summer 2006, my life changed entirely. My career boosted and I could achieve what I always have loved to do: to combine passion with job and vice versa. Already having studied at the Filmcollege in Vienna, your tutors, trainers, lecturers and the colleagues from my special workshop really were the wind beneath my wings. Thanks again for your passion.
With this email I may open my (private) website, which shows extracts of my work, especially as filmdirector.
Enjoy watching.
http://www.dietergrohmann.eu
Sincerely,
Dieter Grohmann
Turning on your loudspeakers and benevolent remarks are welcome.
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JOHNNY COTUGNO
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Started his journey in film making at NYFA back in 1998 and his first feature was completed this December. It is to premier March 16 at Tribeca Cinemas in a festival called Sundays in the City. The name of the movie is Johnny Appleweed.
Here is the link to the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJRFcUuKD50
You can see the show here: http://www.sundaysinthecity.com/2008.htm
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ANNE SOPHIE
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 "The NYFA has literally, and I mean it,
changed my life! I took a 3 month weekend filmmaking class in the Fall of
2006 (I was 15) without expecting much. The short film I made at the end of
the program landed some international awards and allowed me to finance my
first feature film, FADED MEMORIES, that will be out this year!"
Please see my KTLA interview:
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=2085239475
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.splash
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KEMER STEVENSON
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Kemer Stevenson graduated from the first NYFA one year animation program in 2004. After moving to LA he has had great success working on 3-D Animation and Visual Effects for motion pictures including The Incredible Hulk, Evan Almighty, Happy Feet, Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties and The Golden Compass. We are happy to have had him teach for us as well in the our Four-Week summer animation intensive at Harvard.
See all of Kemers movies at:
http://uk.imdb.com/name/nm2177719/
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SERGIO ROBERTO CECARINI
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Sergio Roberto Cecarini. graduated from the NYFA one year animation program in May '07, after which he returned to his home in Milan Italy where he found employment modeling, lighting and rending architectural elements for a large Architectural concern. http://www.maiorausa.com/ Sergio is now working for Yacht design company Maiorausa: creating models and renderings of their Yachts. Sergio is looking forward to returning to the west coast and working in the film industry in CA in the near future. http://stifmaister.altervista.org/
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SCOTT CULLEN
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Scott Cullen graduated from the NYFA one year animation program in May '07. He subsequently acted as a teaching assistant at our one month summer animation intensive in Harvard.Scott has recently been hired by
Sky Window
Studios in NYC to supervise their animation studio.
Scotts reel may be viewed at:
http://www.scullen3d.com
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ROBERT MALKANI
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 Robert Malkani is a graduate of the filmmaking course.
Prior to that he was an investment banker with absolutely no film related experience and no connections in the
industry. Since taking NYFA filmmaking class he has produced three films - two of
which he has written. His latest film, DAY ZERO (starring Elijah Wood,
Chris Klein, Ginnifer Goodwin and Ally Sheedy - he wrote and executive
produced it) It hits theaters on January 18th. The film is about three best
friends who get drafted to serve in the US military on the same day and
have thirty days to come to terms with their fate. It's set in a
semi-fictionalized near future . . . "I am a shining example of where NYFA alumni can go after the school . . ."
Robert Malkan has produced and written several films . . . and he has two more set to
go into production in 2008. |
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MARTING TERNSTROM
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Martina Ternstrom is recent graduate of New York Film Academy's One-Year
Producing Program and currently serving as a Coordinator for Magnolia
Pictures's. She plays a role in practically every one of the company and
sister companies (production, DVD distribution and TV channel)
departments. All while keeping track of everything from delivery of new
titles, release schedule, delivery to foreign distributors, Video On
Demand in hotels all the way down to when Magnolia's next trailer will be
final and on screen.
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| KATRIN MUFF |
A recent graduate of NYFA, Katrin Muff a producer for Catpics Ltd. in Switzerland has produced "Late Bloomers", the official Swiss entry for the Academy Awards in the category of "Best Foreign Language Film“.
The world premiere of "Late Bloomers“ on August 4th, 2006 in front of approx. 8’000 viewers at the Piazza Grande during the Locarno Film Festival (Switzerland) was celebrated with a standing ovation. Stephanie Glaser, the lead actress, was awarded for her life work with a "Special Leopard". The film received the award for "Best lead actress“ (Annemarie Düringer) at the Filmfestival "Cinéma Tout Ecran“ in Geneva (2006).
Catpics was founded in 1984, after receiving the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film for "Journey of Hope" by Xavier Koller in 1991,
Catpics Coproductions Ltd. produces independent feature films and documentaries for both cinema and TV. |
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| DOROTTYA MATHE |
Dorottya Mathe - a New York based Hungarian independent Producer - graduated from the New York Film Academy’s One-Year Producing Course in August 2007. During her studies she started to work on a concise retrospective documentary titled “Devoted To Dance” on the career of IVAN MARKO a celebrated 61-year old Hungarian ballet dancer and choreographer who after being a soloist for 7 years at Maurice Bejart’s company dancing with Judith Jamison and Suzanne Farrell, being elected by the American Critics amongst the world’s top ten ballet dancers in the 70’s - despite of his enormous success - returned to Hungary forming his own troupes driving them to dazzling artistic heights worldwide while being on the verge of existence fighting for financial support for his ensembles on a daily basis. 0=
By now, her thesis project became a reality, the principal photography has recently started in Hungary in order to create a trailer for raising money to acquire archive material from broadcasters and continue shooting performances, interviews not only in Hungary but abroad as well.
For more information visit www.devotedtodance.com
Produced and Directed by Dorottya Mathe.
 PEPPERONI
Directed and Produced by Alumni Mexican filmmaker Fausto Estrada Guerrero and Co-Produced by Alumni Hungarian producer Dorottya Mathe it is a drama about a homeless man, Jerry who has been wandering around Brooklyn with his shopping cart full of his belongings. He hasn’t showered for days, he is unshaved, his clothes are ragged and dirty so people avoid him making comments on his outlook. However, one day when he least expects it, Jerry makes an encounter that will change his way of seeing the world and himself.
Producers are very proud and grateful that the illustrious French composer Jacques Davidovici composed a wonderful music to their film.
Pepperoni had been screened at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival this year and as a result of it’s success has been accepted to such other prestigious festivals as the Mise-en-scenes Short Film Festival in Korea and the San Gio Video Festival in Italy.
Visit the following site to see the film:
www.youtube.com/mdorothy
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| NATASHA WOOD |
In a wheelchair since birth, absolutely nothing confines this 36-year-old witty Brit's spirit.
Meet Natasha Wood - graduate of the New York Film Academy 1-year program who tells tales from England, New York and L.A. and how she meets life head on: "Rolling With Laughter" - a one woman show, previews April 2nd and 3rd, performances April 9th - May 8th, 8PM.
For more information: www.elportaltheatre.com |
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| IN THE THEATERS: NYFA GRADUATES BENNETT DAVLIN & ANTHONY BADALUCCO |
"Memory" a psychological thriller written / directed / and produced by New York Film Academy alumni Bennett Davlin and written / produced by New York Film Academy alumni Anthony Badalucco opens March 23, 2007
THE MOVIE STARS TWO TIME OSCAR NOMINEE DENNIS HOPPER, TWO TIME OSCAR NOMINEE ANN-MARGRET, "TITANIC" STAR BILLY ZANE, AND "BATTLESTAR GALACTICA'S NUMBER SIX" TRICIA HELFER.
The theatres are:
NEW YORK / LANDMARK SUNSHINE THEATER - NEW YORK STARTING MARCH 23RD, 2007.
143 E Houston Street (Cross Street: Between Forsyth Street and Eldridge Street) New York, NY 10002-1018 (212) 330-8182
LOS ANGELES / LAEMMLE'S THEATRE 4 2ND AVE. - SANTA MONICA, CA STARTING MARCH 23RD, 2007
1332 2nd St. Santa Monica, CA 90401 (310) 394-9741
www.laemmle.com
You can check out a trailer of the film at www.memorethemovie.com |
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| AWARD WINNING ACTOR PAUL DANO-LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, LIE, GIRL NEXT DOOR |
 
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| BROADCAST FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION AWARDS |
| 2007 |
Won |
BFCA Award |
Best Young Actor
for: Little Miss Sunshine (2006) |
| Fantasporto |
| 2003 |
Won |
Director's Week Award |
Best Actor
for: L.I.E. (2001) |
| Gotham Awards |
| 2006 |
Nominated |
Best Ensemble Cast |
for: Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Shared with:
Gret Kinnear
Toni Collette
Steve Carrell
Abigail Breslin
Alan Arkin |
| Independent Spirit Awards |
| 2007 |
Nominated |
Independent Spirit Award |
Best Supporting Male
for: Little Miss Sunshine (2006) |
| 2002 |
Won |
Independent Spirit Award |
Best Debut Performance
for: L.I.E. (2001) |
| L.A. Outfest |
| 2001 |
Won |
Grand Jury Award |
Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film
for: L.I.E. (2001)
Tied with Kett Turton for Gypsy 83 (2001). |
| Screen Actors Guild Awards |
| 2007 |
Won |
Actor |
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
for: Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Shared with:
Alan Arkin
Abigail Breslin
Steve Carell
Toni Collette
Greg Kinnear |
| Stockholm Film Festival |
| 2001 |
Won |
Best Actor |
for: L.I.E. (2001) |
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VENEZUELAN KIDNAP DRAMA IS A BREATHLESS RUSH THROUGH HELL
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"Secuestro" means kidnap. And in case you were in any doubt about what's about to happen in writer/director
Jonathan Jakubowicz's breathless debut feature, he kick-starts it with a close-up of a kidnapper's eyes and
a threat. We're about to play Venezulan roulette, a voice explains. "I spin the chamber, but you're the only
player."
As the opening sequence of a thriller, it's an effective gambit, and Secuestro Express is never less than
kinetic. But in those scene-setting moments, Jakubowicz is also taking the audience hostage. He spins the
chamber; we can only wait for the bang.
Secuestro Express is the biggest-grossing film in its native Venezuela. Its success has been phenomenal,
overtaking Titanic and The Passion of the Christ, and appealing to an audience not in the habit of going to
the cinema.
It's a political film, and Jakubowicz is a director with serious intentions. But he's just as commited to
entertainment. Frequently, he achieves a mix of both approaches, as in the scene where the kidnap victim's
father is being guided through a decrepit grade school. The voice on his mobile phone tells him to pay
attention to the children playing around him: "Be stupid, they die."
Mostly, Secuestro is a riot of speed, danger and movement. When he showed a rough cut to his mentor,
Robert Rodriguez, the Sin City director told him to slow it down, as the audience could only be expected
to cope with so much jeopardy. Jakubowicz added a few contemplative interludes, but Secuestro remains a
rare example of a film where the director's cut would be shorter.
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JEFF ZIMBALIST, DIRECTOR OF FAVELA RISING
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"Favela Rising" has been nominated for:
Best Feature Film 2005 - IDA Documentary Achievement Award
Winner of Best Emerging Documentary Filmmaker - Tribeca Film Festival
Best Documentary Audience Award - Leeds International Film Festival
Winner of Audience Award - Roxbury International Film Festival
Winner of Audience Choice Award - Sidewalk Moving Pictures Festival
Winner of Best Documentary - Cinema Paradise Film Festival
Winner Best Documentary - Northhampton Film Festival
Winner Best of Show - Tulipanes Latino Art and Film Festival
Winner Best Editing - Woodstock Film Festival
Winner Best Documentary - NY Latino Film Festival
Winner of Overall Festival Winner - Annapolis Film Festival
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| YVONNE FARROW - GRADUATE OF THE NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY, CLASS '98
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Ms. Farrow won a scholarship from Career Transition for Dancers to attend the New York Film Academy at UCLA in 1998, where she wrote, produced, directed and edited three 16mm short silent films. The Break-Up screened at the Women of Color and Reel Alternative Film Festivals. Movements, her final project (a ten minute excerpt from her stage play), was nominated “Best Short” at the 1999 Pan African Film Festival, won Second Place at the Black Filmmaker Hall of Fame and aired nationally in 2003 on The African American Filmmaker’s Show. In 2004 Yvonne was one of ten in the nation selected for ABC Entertainment’s Talent Development Scholarship/Grant Program to write, produce and direct her short film, I’d Rather Be Dancing. This thirty minute Super-16 short film and her first sync-sound project, was nominated “Best Short” at the 2005 Pan African Film & Arts Festival and FESPACO, an international film festival, where it was nominated for the Paul Robeson Award, “Best of the Best” in the African Diaspora, Special Prize for “Special Interest”, Short Drama. A heavy favorite, IRBD is now a part of the permanent FESPACO film archives. An actress, Yvonne also won “Best Actress” at the American Theater of Harlem Film Festival for her role as Monta Cummings in I’d Rather Be Dancing. IRBD has screened in more that 30 film festivals nationally and abroad and has aired on BET-J Short Film Showcase and WGHB Public Television. At the completion of this program, Ms. Farrow was invited to pitch IRBD to ABC/Disney executives as a television series, move-of-the-week and feature film (which she is currently writing). Yvonne shares a production company with her twin sister, Yvette Heyliger, entitled TWINBIZ, whose mission is to write, direct and produce original projects for stage, television and film which educate, entertain and serve. Please visit www.twinbiz.com for more information. |
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BABAR AHMED, DIRECTOR OF ROYAL KILL
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The new movie, “Royal Kill,” directed by an NYFA alumnus and starring Academy Award nominees Pat Morita and Eric
Roberts, will be released in 2007. The story is about an American teen who is revealed as a royal princess.
The Kingdom’s most deadly assassin has been sent to kill the young princess as the fate of the Kingdom depends
upon her survival.
Further details: http://www.royalkill.com/
STORY
A fierce assassin from an Eastern Kingdom is sent to America to kill a teenage girl living in Washington DC. A
noble guard is sent to America to protect the girl. This young girl does not know it but she is the last living
heir to the Kingdom of Samarza.
BABAR AHMED
According to NBC 4 television Babar Ahmed is part of "the new breed of filmmakers who make movies which look good
on a budget. Babar has received headline news on BBC world television, NBC 4, and CH 9 WUSA. He has been covered
in major trade papers such as Variety and The Hollywood Reporter. His last movie “Genius” is multi-award winning
and available nationwide on video.
PAT MORITA (ACADEMY AWARD NOMINEE)
He became an on-screen hero to millions of adults and kids alike as the wise and wonderful "Mr. Miyagi" in The
Karate Kid (1984). Sparkling Morita was back again dishing out Eastern philosophy & martial arts lessons for The
Karate Kid, Part II (1986), and The Karate Kid, Part III (1989) and even for The Next Karate Kid (1994). Morita
has acted in over 70 films and played the often perplexed restaurant owner "Arnold" in two stints on the hugely
popular "Happy Days" http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001552
ERIC ROBERTS (ACADEMY AWARD NOMINEE)
Older brother of actress Julia Roberts, Eric Roberts appeared on the stage as a child and starred in the 1989
Broadway production of Burn This. He delivered a fine performance as the deranged husband in Star 80 (1983) and
was nominated for an Oscar for his supporting role in Runaway Train (1985). He has had leading roles and supporting
roles in a series of cult classics such as “The Coca-Cola Kid” (1985), “The Pope of Greenwich Village” (1985),
“Cecil B. Demented” (2000), “The Cable Guy” (1986), and “Final Analysis” (1992). Official website:
www.ericrobertsactor.com
LALAINE PARAS
Lalaine Vergara-Paras, or simply Lalaine, is best known for her role as Miranda Sanchez, in the hit TV series "Lizzie McGuire (2001)" as Lizzie's best friend. She has recently been signed by Warner Music.
GAIL KIM
2003 WWE Wrestling Champion. Considered by many in the industry as the best female wrestler in the world. Official
website: http://www.thegailkim.com
ALEXANDER WRAITH
A former Calvin Klein model and amateur boxer, Alexander found that his best means of expression was in acting
when he was accepted as a student of Harold Guskin in New York. His never ending quest to discover the best mentor
and technique was fulfilled when he became accepted as a student at George DiCenzo's Master class and finally at
Carnegie Hall for Robert Modica's Studio. He studyied as often as he could to master his art and prove that he
was dedicated, passionate, and eager to bring back the style of the classic actors to the screen today. His
credits include “Hitch”, “Kinsey” and “Good Sharma”.
Photo is from a preliminary shoot in Washington DC and includes Director Babar Ahmed with actors Pat Morita
and Mina Hoti, reading through a script.
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TRIBECA REVIEW: THE BIG BAD SWIM
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When screening film after film at a festival, I tend to go into each knowing only the title as well as the time
and place it is being shown. Usually I try to scan quickly through the movie guide for a briefing on the synopsis,
but rarely do I think to check whether the film I'm about to see is fiction or non-fiction. Most of the time I make
an assumption which it is from the guide's plot outline, but occasionally I'm caught off guard. For instance, "The
Big Bad Swim" is not the documentary about an adult swimming class that I expected it to be. And I'm actually quite
thankful that it isn't.
Instead, the film is a multi-character story centered around an adult swimming class where the students, ranging
from a teenage girl to a middle-aged cop to an elderly woman, all share the common bond of never having taken that
big dip into a recreational pool. Not all of the characters are prominently featured, though; the major plotlines
concern Amy (Paget Brewster of the Showtime series Huff), a high school teacher in the middle of a divorce, Jordan
(Jess Weixler), a Mohegan Sun card dealer who's also a stripper, and Noah (Jeff Branson), a one-time Olympic hopeful
turned depressed swimming instructor.
As if my initial mistake wasn't enough, I remained confused for the first few minutes of the film, which opens with
individual shots on each student as they introduce themselves on the first day of the class. Still thinking the movie
was a documentary, my first impression was that it seemed very staged. This only made things more interesting because
as the story unfolded, I accepted the film as one of the least artificial fiction films I've ever seen at a film
festival.
While most new independent filmmakers try too hard with extraneous humor and insincere attempts to invent never-before-seen
dramatic developments, director Ishai Setton and his screenwriter Daniel Schechter keep it extremely simple. That isn't
to say the movie is boring, because I never felt like I'd seen these people before, and I easily became immersed in
their lives. Regardless of all the times I've desired more fresh ideas in a movie, The Big Bad Swim reminded me that
sometimes characters don't require novelty as long as they feel genuine.
A lot of credit for the film's lovability goes to the perfect casting of Brewster and Weixler, a stunning pair who
each in her own way portrays the simultaneous sexiness and humility of her character with great consistency. Brewster
is that mysteriously hot teacher we all had or at least fantasized about, exposed for her normality and reality. Weixler,
on the other hand, refreshingly combines the plain-Jane-ness of actress Sarah Polley with the bombshell beauty of Heather
Graham.
As a documentary telling the same story, The Big Bad Swim would have been unbearably dull. As a work of fiction it
interests despite its own humdrum ambition, and it surprises with an enjoyable straightforwardness.
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AVI SCHWARTZ, DIRECTOR OF UNCLE CHAIM
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Director, writer, and cinematographer--Avi Schwartz, was born in Israel in 1964. Raised in New York City, he attended
P.S. 24, Kineret Day Middle School, and the prestigious Bronx High School of Science. Receiving his undergraduate and
graduate degrees in Political Science from Queens College, he earned the Chaim Perleman Award from Brussels University
for his work on Aristotelian and Talmudic Argumentation in 1991. In 1997, he acquired rabbinical ordination from the
world renowned Yeshiva.
Within the last three and half years after completing the NYFA 6-week filmmaking workshop, he has produced, written,
shot, and directed: "A T.I.M.E," a fundrasier video to bring the plight of infertile couples to the forefront; music
videos; commericals; "The Pillow," a comedy set in a hospital; "Tinker Tales," a computer animated piece telling the
story of the Tower of Babel; "Why Shai," a children's short. His debut feature, "Uncle Chaim," - a film based on true
events - tells the story of a mentally handicapped man, shunned since childhood, especially by his younger brother,
Abie (Mark Bellows). Abie can't bear the thought of his outlandish behavior; he's never even revealed Chaim's existence
to his own son, Danny (Michael Fricker), or to the congregation of his own ultra-orthodox shul. Come this Sabbath,
lives will change. At a crossroads, Abie must choose: let Chaim back into his life, and risk his son's love, or reject
Chaim, and suffer the consequences of conscience. "Uncle Chaim" is now playing at the Queens International Film Festival.
Avi's NYFA classmate from the 6-week film program, Adrian Lovell, was the editor for "Uncle Chaim." |
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MARK BAMFORD, WRITER & DIRECTOR OF CAPE OF GOOD HOPE |
The new South Africa is revealed in "Cape of Good Hope," a colorful and vibrant mosaic of love and hope. A profoundly
optimistic film, "Cape of Good Hope" is, in the words of writer-director Mark Bamford (alumus, Film '98), "a movie
about people just trying to live. It's not about black and white, it's not about politics, but about human beings."
In the tradition of such rich, multi-layered films as Ang Lee's, "Eat, Drink, Man, Woman;" Mira Nair's, "Monsoon Wedding;"
and Robert Altman and John Sayles's sociological slice-of-life pictures; "Cape of Good Hope" beautifully interweaves a
number of storylines all revolving around a Cape Town animal rescue shelter. The faces of Hope are: Jean Claude (Eriq
Ebouaney of Raoul Peck's award-winning film, "Lumumba"), a refugee from war-torn Congo who finds himself torn between
love and the promise of asylum in the West; Lindiwe (Nthati Moshesh), a single mother and housekeeper trying to make
a life for herself and her son while finding a way out of the township once and for all; Sharifa (Quanita Adams) and
Habib (David Isaacs), a young Muslim couple unable to have children of their own yet desperate to have a family; Morne
(Morne Visser), a recently widowed vet who wants to believe that true love can strike twice; and Kate (Debbie Brown),
the emotionally guarded founder of the animal shelter, who seems to relate better to stray dogs than to people."Cape of
Good Hope" is the first feature film written and directed by Mark Bamford—award-winning director of the short film,
"Hero"—along with his wife, co-writer and producing partner, Suzanne Kay (daughter of show business legend Diahann
Carroll). As recent transplants to South Africa, the couple found inspiration for Cape of Good Hope through their
experiences working as volunteers with children and refugees. Filmed entirely on location in the Cape Town coastal
community of Hout Bay, and cast solely with African actors, "Cape of Good Hope" substitutes a hard-won, deeply felt
sense of humanism for the clichés and political bombast audiences are familiar with from the many films that have beeen
set in Africa. See the trailer www.capemovie.com
| Austin Film Festival |
| 2004 |
Won |
Audience Award * |
Best Narrative Feature - Undistributed |
| 2004 |
Won |
Feature Film Award * |
Best Narrative Feature |
| Image Awards |
| 2006 |
Nominated |
Image Award |
Outstanding Independent or Foreign Film |
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SANTIAGO |
Santiago has been spending a great deal of time screenwriting, directing and editing institutional
videos for his native country of Colombia.
The following is a link to his favorite production: http://santisan.free.fr |
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CHARLES CONNORS |
Charles Connors has found a very fulfilling career in the independent film world, following his study at the New
York Film Academy.To the right is a still from his most recent production: "NYC-The Face of Protest," dealing
with the protests that occurred in New York City on August 30, 31, and September 1, of 2004. Pictured is Geoff
Blank addressing a crowd in Union Square. The documentary includes scenes of the march up 7th Avenue, a clash of
demonstrators and police in Union Square, and also, the American Friends Service Committee's memorial in Union Square. |
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They had intended to shoot a five day documentary. Instead, destiny decided to embed them for 40 days of filming with
the 1st U.S. unit to enter Baghdad. They are witnesses to idealism turned into dread, love colored by fear of mortality,
and a range of human suffering in its attempt to survive in the crossfire of war... This is their story. |
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PETER RAZAI AND AZEM ELEZAJ |
From filmmakers Peter Razai and Azem Elezaj, comes "Diamonds Bullets & Fate." It is a tale of betrayal, love, and
suspense, starring James Biberi (Analyze That, Find Me Guilty). After Angel (Patrick Solo) botches a robbery,
his blunder drags him and his two accomplices, Besnik (James Biberi), and Zef (Peter Razai), into a wild ride rife
with betrayal, romance, humor,... and fate.
DIRECTED BY PETER RAZAI
email: peterrazai@illyrianentertainment.com
WRITTEN BY AZEM ELEZAJ
STARRING JAMES BIBERI, PATRICK SOLO, SALLY JAMES, PETER RAZAI |
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ALEJANDRO CHOMSKI |
From filmmakers Peter Razai and Azem Elezaj, comes "Diamonds Bullets & Fate." It is a tale of betrayal, love, and
suspense, starring James Biberi (Analyze That, Find Me Guilty). After Angel (Patrick Solo) botches a robbery,
his blunder drags him and his two accomplices, Besnik (James Biberi), and Zef (Peter Razai), into a wild ride rife
with betrayal, romance, humor,... and fate.
DIRECTED BY PETER RAZAI
email: peterrazai@illyrianentertainment.com
WRITTEN BY AZEM ELEZAJ
STARRING JAMES BIBERI, PATRICK SOLO, SALLY JAMES, PETER RAZAI |
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Any college credit or degree earned is awarded solely by the New York Film Academy's academic headquarters in California.
All camps are solely owned and operated by the New York Film Academy and are not affiliated with Universal Studios, Harvard University, or Disney Studios.
100 East 17th Street New York, New York 10003 United States Tel. +1 (212) 674-4300 Fax. +1 (212) 477-1414
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