By Maria Esteves – October 14, 2011

The 49th New York Film Festival 2011 (NYFF 2011) presented by the Film Society of Lincoln Center press screening of VITO, directed by Jeffrey Schwarz was held at Lincoln Center’s Walter Reade Theater on Wednesday, October 12, 2011, 1:00 pm. A live press conference immediately followed with director Schwarz, editor Philip Harrison, Phyllis Antonellis (Vito's cousin), and Charles Russo (Vito's brother) moderated by NYFF program director Richard Pena.

The 49th New York Film Festival World Premiere of VITO commences Friday, October 14, 2011, 6:00 PM. VITO airs on HBO Documentary Films in 2012.

Questions posed at the NYFF 2011 press conference by Mr. Pena to director Schwarz, editor Philip Harrison, Phyllis Antonellis, and Charles Russo included: Can you talk a little about the way you put the film together to balance Vito's great love for film and his activist roles. Was there anyone who would not cooperate? Was there anything you wanted to cover that somehow you could not because either you could not get the material or the people would not cooperate? If Vito was with us today, what do you think would be the battle that he would be focusing on?

NYFF 2011 Press Conference: Charlie Russo and Phyllis Antonellis, VITO.

NYFF 2011 Press Conference: from right to left, director Jeffrey Schwarz, Charlie Russo, Phyllis Antonellis, and editor Philip Harrison, VITO.

NYFF 2011 Press Conference: from right to left, moderator, NYFF program director Richard Pena, director Jeffrey Schwarz, Charlie Russo, Phyllis
Antonellis and editor Philip Harrison, VITO.

NYFF 2011 Press Conference: from right to left, moderator, NYFF program director Richard Pena, director Jeffrey Schwarz, Charlie Russo, Phyllis
Antonellis, and editor Philip Harrison, VITO.

NYFF 2011 Press Conference: from right to left, director Jeffrey Schwarz, Charlie Russo, and Phyllis Antonellis, VITO.

NYFF 2011 Press Conference: Phyllis Antonellis and editor Philip Harrison, VITO.

NYFF 2011 Press Conference: Phyllis Antonellis, VITO.