By Maria Esteves – August 13, 2012

The Third New York City International Film Festival 2012 (NYCIFF 2012) Opening Night Gala Awards and World Premiere of Saving Grace B. Jones, directed by Connie Stevens commenced Thursday, August 9, 7:00pm at the magnificent Angelica Film Center. Presented by NYCIFF founder/CEO Robert Rizzo, the festival presents the best in world cinema from emerging and established filmmakers.

This year’s festival includes over 100 films (features, documentaries, shorts) from around the world, workshops, seminars, panel discussions, and festival gala. The Opening Night Gala Awards honored Connie Stevens for Philanthropist and Rip Torn for Lifetime Achievement. The opening night awards ceremony preceded the world premiere film and champagne gala reception immediately followed at STIR, New York.

NYCIFF 2012 Opening Night Gala black-tie red carpet arrivals included international filmmakers, producers, writers, actors, recording artists, industry executives, corporate sponsors, and special guests.

NYCIFF12 Opening Night Gala Premiere & Honors
Red Carpet Arrivals, president Caroline Rizzo, NYCIFF,
with director Connie Stevens, Saving Grace B. Jones.

NYCIFF11 Opening Night Gala Premiere & Honors Red Carpet Arrivals,
founder & CEO Roberto Rizzo and president Caroline Rizzo, NYCIFF.

NYCIFF12 Opening Night Gala Premiere & Honors Red Carpet
Arrivals, president Caroline Rizzo, NYCIFF, left, with director
Fen Tian, Forbidden Kiss.

NYCIFF12 Opening Night Gala Premiere & Honors Red Carpet
Arrivals, director Connie Stevens, center, with founder & CEO
Roberto Rizzo, NYCIFF, left, and NYCIFF12 Award presenter actor
Tony Lo Bianco.

NYCIFF12 Opening Night Gala Premiere & Honors Red Carpet
Arrivals, from right, NYCIFF Award presenter actor Tony Lo Bianco
with director Connie Stevens, and actress Rylee Fansler, Saving Grace
B. Jones.

NYCIFF12 Opening Night Gala Premiere & Honors
Red Carpet Arrivals, director Kevin Gay, Like Ingrid Bergman.

NYCIFF12 Opening Night Gala Premiere & Honors Red Carpet Arrivals,
director/actor/writer Faizan Sheikh, My Angel My Hero, NYCIFF12 short film.

NYCIFF12 Opening Night Gala Premiere &
Honors Red Carpet Arrivals, actress Rylee
Fansler, Saving Grace B. Jones.

NYCIFF12 Opening Night Gala Premiere &
Honors Red Carpet Arrivals, actress Darlene
Vazquetelles, Pendejo.

NYCIFF12 Opening Night Gala Premiere &
Honors Red Carpet Arrivals, actress Xiaolu Li,
Forbidden Kiss.

NYCIFF12 Opening Night Gala Premiere &
Honors Red Carpet Arrivals, producer Jon-Philipp
Jarke, Sibling Love.

NYCIFF12 Opening Night Gala Premiere &
Honors Red Carpet Arrivals, director Richard
Darge, La Estancia.

NYCIFF12 Opening Night Gala Premiere &
Honors Red Carpet Arrivals, director Yang
Hua Hu.

NYCIFF12 Opening Night Gala Premiere &
Honors Red Carpet Arrivals, NYCIFF award
presenter actor Tony Lo Bianco.

NYCIFF12 Opening Night Gala Premiere &
Honors Red Carpet Arrivals, actor Raja
Fenske, Pendejo.

NYCIFF12 Opening Night Gala Premiere &
Honors Red Carpet Arrivals, actress Paula
Roman and director Francisco Lupini, Blackout.

NYCIFF12 Opening Night Gala Premiere & Honors Red Carpet Arrivals,
cast & crew of Forbidden Kiss.

NYCIFF12 Opening Night Gala Premiere & Honors Red Carpet Arrivals,
from left, NYCIFF award presenter actor Tony Lo Bianco
with actor Angel Salazar, and John Thomas, J.T. Talent & Casting.