THE NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL INDEPENDENT FILM & VIDEO FESTIVAL "The Voice of Indie Film" October 22nd-29th, 2009
Festival will feature the likes of Liam Neeson, Ed Asner, Vincent Pastore, Carmen Electra, Lydia Lunch, Regis Philbin, Danny Aiello, Lainie Kazan, Pat Cooper, Anthony Wong, John Lloyd Young, Jai Rodriguez, Bruce Vilanich, Eli Wallach, Russell Means, Talbot Perry Simons, Isaach de Bankolé and more.

New Yorkers in need of an affordable yet satisfying indie film fix will be happy to hear that The New York International Independent Film & Video Festival (NYIIFVF) has announced their slate of films and red carpet premieres. NYIIFVF runs from October 22nd-29th in Manhattan and will showcase a diverse range of features, shorts, documentaries and animations from all over the globe.

The opening night networking party and awards ceremony take place on Thursday, October 22nd at BLVD (199 Bowery) from 6-10pm. Film screenings are from October 23rd-29th on 2 screens at City Cinemas Village East (181 2nd Avenue at 12th Street).

More than 150 films from around the world will be exhibited. Genres include Romance, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Animation, Music Video, Historical, Drama, Black Comedy, Mystery, Suspense, Action, Horror, Thriller, Experimental, Educational, War/Anti-War, Crime, Fantasy, Gay, as well as a compelling slate of top-notch documentaries.

29 countries will be represented including: France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Japan, Canada, Australia, Belgium, Argentina, UK, Brazil, Greece, Ireland, Norway, Singapore, The Netherlands, Belarus, Denmark, Slovenia, Colombia, Malta, Czech Republic, New Zealand, Ghana, China, Sweden, Finland, Israel and all over the US.

www.nyfilmvideo.com




FILM HIGHLIGHTS:


Oy Vey! My Son is Gay!
A romantic, heartwarming and inspirational family comedy featuring a Jewish family who struggle coming to terms with their son's non-Jewish and gay boyfriend. When the gay couple adopts a child and it makes headline news, their families come to defend them and realize how much they love them.Starring: Golden Globe, Emmy and Tony Award nominee Lainie Kazan, Saul Rubinek, Carmen Electra, Vincent Pastore, Tony Award winner John Lloyd Young and Emmy Award winner Jai Rodriguez and Emmy Award winning comedian/writer Bruce Vilanch.
Directed by Evgeny Afineevsky. 91 min. Romantic Family Comedy.



Resting Places
A global phenomenon is spreading. Opponents want it stopped. Oscar nominated actor Liam Neeson narrates this thought-provoking documentary about the growing controversy surrounding roadside memorials throughout the world.
Directed by Melissa Villanueva and J. Michael Kipikash. 48 min. Documentary.


The Triumph of William Henry Harrison
Journalist Amanda Delacourt works to expose the true story of William Henry Harrison, America's 9th President: that he never died in office, but faked his death and rose from the shadows to become the most powerful man in the world. Narrated by Ed Asner.
Directed by Daniel Califf-Glick. 80 min. Mockumentary.


Just Laugh!
Just Laugh! is an informative and entertaining documentary focusing on the many health benefits of laughter. Discover how a good belly laugh increases blood circulation, reduces stress, and builds the immune system. Features Regis Philbin, comedian Pat Cooper (Analyze This), Doris Roberts (Everybody Loves Raymond), preacher Joel Osteen, Danny Aiello, Eli Wallach (Mystic River, The Good The Bad & The Ugly).
Directed by Anton Evangelista. 70 min. Documentary.


For The End of Time
For The End of Time is a film about the mind, about the body, and the inability to merge these two entities which are shaping a form of civilization known under the name of 'human'. Narrated by Lydia Lunch.
Directed by Ema Kugler. 127 min. Arthouse Documentary.


Mrs. Menendez
Mrs. Menendez is the true story of what it's really like to be married to an infamous murderer - Erik Menendez - who with his brother was convicted of killing his parents.
Directed by Nancy Saslow. 45 min. Documentary.


Crooked Business
Small-time hustler Elmo & his best mate 'Stand-up' Stevie are just a couple of knockabouts trying to make an easy buck on the Gold Coast. Life is sweet, until Stevie finds himself in hot water for selling a dodgy watch to biker Russian Tony. You see, Stevie never did understand the rules of Crooked Business - 'if you're gonna do Crooked Business, you've gotta do it straight!' Features: Anthony Wong (The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions), Firass Dirani (The Marine, Power Rangers Mystic Force, The Black Balloon), Jay Laga'aia (Star Wars Episode II, Star Wars Episode III, Daybreakers)
Directed by Chris Nyst. 95 min. Comedy/Action.


Machetero
A French journalist (Isaach de Bankolé, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Miami Vice) interviews an imprisoned "Puerto Rican terrorist" (Not4Prophet) about using violence to free Puerto Rico from US colonialism. As they speak, a ghetto youth (Kelvin Fernandez) is encouraged by a mentor (Dylcia Pagan) to grow into the next Machetero.
Directed by Vagabond. 98 min. Drama.


A Happy Man
At 65, Pierre Martin (played by Pierre Richard), quantum physicist, inherits an inn in Canada. He leaves Paris with his daughter Catherine (Sylvie Testud) and ends up in the dead of winter in Sainte- Simone-du-Nord, a typical tiny village in the Saguenay, a remote region of Québec. Away from Parisian life, Pierre sees an opportunity to pass on to his daughter the quality he values most: happiness.
Directed by Robert Menard. 106 min. Comedy.


Still the Drums
Many of our veterans are haunted by secrets and memories that they have buried deep in their hearts and minds forever! Never to tell their stories, until now! Full of surprises, Still the Drums is a great American story about friendship, patriotism, heroism and post-traumatic stress disorder. After thirty-nine years, three ex-marines break their silence and question their service to their country after attending a military funeral for a best friend. An explosive and captivating edge of your seat mystery!
Directed by Talbot Perry Simons. 79 min. Drama/War/Anti-War/Mystery


The Battle for Whiteclay
The film follows Native American activists for 5 years in their campaign to end alcohol sales in the village of Whiteclay, Nebraska, which borders the dry Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Features Native American activist & actor Russell Means (The Last of The Mohicans, Natural Born Killers, Pathfinder).
Directed by Mark Vasina. 113 min. Documentary.

Official Sponsors for the 2009 festival include Roomorama.com, BLVD., City Cinemas Village East, Ecotulum Resorts and Spa, Azulik.com, ITN Distribution, Inc., Independent Film Quarterly (IFQ). www.nyfilmvideo.com


Accommodations
Roomorama.com is working with The New York International Independent Film and Video Festival to provide "home-away-from-home" accommodations for filmmakers and attendees. Filmmakers and Festival attendees can receive a special discount when they use the discount code "Indie" when booking. Visit www.roomorama.com



Grand Prize Award Winner
The Grand Prize award winner will receive a 4 nights stay in a romantic and private eco resort in Tulum www.azulik.com , plus a wine bottle and spa treatments (tickets for the temazcal: indigenuos sweat lodge). EcoTulum Resorts & Spa.