By Maria Esteves – August 28, 2011

The 2nd Annual New York City International Film Festival 2011 (NYCIFF11) Opening Night Awards  presented by NYCIFF founder Robert Rizzo honoring the best international filmmaking and emerging directors in 2011 immediately followed the Opening Night Gala at the Hudson Theatre, Thursday, August 18, 8:00 PM. NYCIFF11 Opening Night black-tie red carpet arrivals included international filmmakers, producers, writers, actors, recording artists, industry executives, corporate sponsors, and patrons.

This year’s festival included over 40 films (features, documentaries, shorts, animations, TV Pilots) from Albania, Australia, Costa Rica, England, France, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, and USA; workshops; free outdoor screenings at Times Square; opening night black-tie gala reception; and after parties. The award presenters were actor M. Macaluso, T. Iz, E. Thai, I. Yako, L. Kruse, and NYCIFF founder Roberto Rizzo.

NYCIFF11 Opening Night Gala, Best Director Award winner
Joe E. Goodavage, with his mother, THE LAST GAMBLE.

NYCIFF11 Opening Night Gala, Award winning recording artist
/actor Randy Jones, left, with actor John Savage, THE LAST GAMBLE.

NYCIFF11 Opening Night Gala Awards, NYCIFF founder Roberto Rizzo,
left, with Lifetime Achievement Award winner actress Sally Kirkland,
THE LAST GAMBLE.

NYCIFF11 Opening Night Gala Awards, NYCIFF founder Roberto Rizzo
with Caroline Rizzo.

NYCIFF11 Opening Night Gala Awards, Lifetime
Achievement Award winner actress Sally Kirkland,
THE LAST GAMBLE.

NYCIFF11 Opening Night Gala Awards, Best Actress Short Film
Award winner Barbie Castro.

NYCIFF11 Opening Night Gala Awards, Best Actress
Comedy Award winner Bein Broderick.

NYCIFF11 Opening Night Gala Awards, Best International Actor
Award winner Gulshan Grover.

NYCIFF11 Opening Night Gala Awards, award presenter I. Yako,
background, with THE LAST GAMBLE producer Phil Malandrino accept the award on behalf of Nick Mancuso for Best Supporting Actor, THE LAST GAMBLE.

NYCIFF11 Opening Night Gala Awards, NYCIFF founder Roberto Rizzo
with actor Rick Borgia and Best Director Award winner Joe E. Goodavage,
THE LAST GAMBLE.

NYCIFF11 Opening Night Gala Awards, Best Director Award winner
Joe E. Goodavage, THE LAST GAMBLE.