By Maria Esteves – March 21, 2013

The Inaugural First Time Fest (FTF) 2013 Closing Night Awards honoring first-time filmmakers hosted by Award winning actress (Oscar, Emmy, Tony) Ellen Burstyn and presented by Anthony Rapp commenced Monday, March 4, 2013, 8:00 PM, at the historic Players Club, New York. Founded by Johanna Bennett and Mandy Ward, the festival presents directorial debuts from around the world with theatrical distribution, as it’s key element.

This year’s FTF inauguration sponsored by Morgan Stanley included 25 films (New York premieres, World premieres, North American premieres), Q&A sessions, panel discussions, special events, awards ceremony, opening, and closing night parties. Attendees and participants included Amy Ryan, Barbara Kopple, Christine Vachon, Hal Hartley, Harry Belafonte, Jack Huston, Martin Scorsese, Melvin Van Peebles, Nancy Savoca, Sofia Coppola, Sophie O'Connor, Tony Bennett, Todd Solondz, William Luhr, and many others. Oscar winning actress Ellen Burstyn presented the Grand Prize Award for theatrical distribution (Cinema Libre Studio) to director Diego Rougier for SAL. Director DARREN ARONOFSKY is recipient of the first John Huston Award presented by master American filmmaker Martin Scorsese. FTF Closing Night Awards after party immediately followed.

FTF 2013 Closing Night Awards, from right, festival founders
Johanna Bennett and Mandy Ward.

FTF 2013 Closing Night Awards, presenter master American
filmmaker Martin Scorsese, right, with John Huston Award
winner DARREN ARONOFSKY.

FTF 2013 Closing Night Awards, from right, founder Johanna
Bennett, FTF, left, with Grand Prize Award winners director Diego
Rougier, and Javiera Contador, SAL.

FTF 2013 Closing Night Awards, Academy Award winning director
Barbara Kopple, HARLAN COUNTY USA, with producer Michael Kirtley,
The World Memory Film Project.

FTF 2013 Closing Night Awards, Grammy Award
winning artist Tony Bennett.

FTF 2013 Closing Night Awards, John Huston Award
presenter master American filmmaker Martin Scorsese.

FTF 2013 Closing Night Awards, host Award
winning actress (Oscar, Emmy, Tony) Ellen Burstyn.

FTF 2013 Closing Night Awards, Achievement in Acting Award
winner ALICE DE LENCQUESAING, Headfirst (La Tete La Premiere).

FTF 2013 Closing Night Awards, from right, Grand
Prize Award winner cast member Javiera Contador, SAL.

FTF 2013 Closing Night Awards, John Huston
Award winner, director DARREN ARONOFSKY
holding a John Huston picture.