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"An apple a day keeps the doctor away"
THE NYC HOME FILM FESTIVAL
NOVEMBER 29-30, 2005


The eagerly awaited seventh semi-annual NYC Home Film Festival (NYC HFF) announces its return to Manhattan for two days of short film screenings on Tuesday, November 29 at Coda Lounge (34 East 34th Street) and Wednesday, November 30 at Pioneer (Bar 218 Bowery).

The NYC HFF is recognized as a festival for emerging and established filmmakers, industry insiders, and those who appreciate entertainment in all its forms. It’s humble beginnings in a bar setting has since expanded into a two day event that has attracted hundreds of people and over 200 film submissions from all over the world. The NYC HFF was founded by film producer and attorney Gregory Segal, who recognized a need to show more independent films of his peers. “It’s been great to see the Home Film Festival grow in scope and interest,” comments Segal. “We’re thrilled to have the participation of established film and television industry talent, but we are determined to stay true to our original mission, which is to give talented filmmakers, regardless of background or experience, a venue to show their work. The Festival gets more popular every year, and that’s what it’s all about - increasing exposure, giving emerging filmmakers access to wider audiences.”

HFF is passionate about exposing the films of emerging filmmakers from all over the globe, this year’s festival features work from Malaysia, Korea, Turkey, Hungary, Germany, Austria, Norway and Sweden

Highlights in this year’s exciting selection line-up at HFF include:

Why Shakespeare – An Inspirational Documentary that shows the importance of theatre and Shakespeare through interviews with kids who live in communities affluent with gangs and testimonials from many successful actors such as Tom Hanks, William Shatner, Martin Sheen, Michael York, Bill Pullman, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Christina Applegate among others.


-More-

Broken - Thriller Dir. By Alex Ferrari. Young lady Bonnie is abducted by a sadistic stranger and his colorful entourage, "BROKEN is essentially a demonstration of the mastery of imagery and techniques." - Roger Ebert - Chicago Sun-Times (January 20, 2005

Firefighter – Directed by Vanessa Ruane, this drama recounts the post-traumatic stress reaction of real firefighters after 9/11. Executive Produced by John Badham (Saturday Night Fever, War Games).

The prestigious Best Short Film Awards will be determined by a panel of guest judges including Bob Reitano, editor of Sleepless in Seattle, Mixed Nuts, My Blue Heaven), David Title, Head of Development for Crossroads Films (Love Song for Bobby Long) and Rob Bardunias, V.P. Special Projects, (National Lampoon).

“A lot of great filmmakers started out making shorts, and there really are some exceptional films under 30 minutes in length, but there are few venues for them,” says veteran Director John Gallagher whose short film Timeless picked up Best Film and Actress (Natalie Howe) awards in 2003 at the HFF and whose previous feature films have included award-winning indies like BLUE MOON with Ben Gazzara, Rita Moreno, and Zach Braff; and THE DELI with Mike Starr, Matt Keeslar, Gretchen Mol, Ice T, Debi Mazar, Jerry Stiller, Chris Noth, Iman, and Michael Imperioli. “That’s why The Home Film Festival is so important, it’s a place to see and be seen and an outlet for independent filmmakers to show their work, get feedback, interact and network. I’m not surprised that it’s attracting so much attention.”

HFF Details:
The official schedule of films is available online at www.homefilmfest.com. All screenings are complimentary. Tuesday night screenings at Coda commence at 5:30pm. Wednesday night’s offerings at Pioneer bar will run from 7pm.
Bruno Chatelin