New York Independent returns to Manhattan

NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL INDEPENDENT FILM AND VIDEO FESTIVAL RETURNS TO MANHATTAN THIS SPRING!

The New York International Independent Film and Video Festival (NYIIFVF) returns to Manhattan for eight days of screenings, premieres, music performances, seminar panels and parties. Sister festivals, The New York International Music Festival (NYIMF) and New York International Art Festival (NYIAF) will also join NYIIFVF this spring. The festivities kick off on April 28th at 7 p.m. with an opening night party at Club Spirit (530 West 27th Street) and runs through May 5th at the Village East Cinema (181 2nd Ave at 12th Street). The festival, which is now recognized as the largest event on the independent circuit, will showcase more than 250 features, shorts and documentaries from around the world.

NYIIFVF founder and executive producer Stuart Alson commented, "We are really excited about our line-up, which includes a slate of world premieres and independent films from all over the globe as well as a number of informative panels and after-parties at clubs around Manhattan. The festival represents a new wave of independent filmmakers and offers a unique opportunity for members of the film industry as well as delegates and attendees without the pretentiousness!” Wall St. Journal called NYIIFVF "The Independent Film makers’ alternative to the Grand New York Film Festival.”

Highlights in this year's spring event include:
The Teenage Kevorkian (Drama): A touching story…a mother who allows her son to grow up on the streets; her son to become a Dr. Kevorkian figure. A pimp seeking revenge on his sentence kidnapped Tom and Jerry, Judge Judy Hatchette’s identical twins. They were raised in the desert by a teenage hooker with no human contact. She abandoned them to die at age of ten. His real mother upon their return rejected Tom. He found refuge in the homeless society and mentored by a homeless vagrant. There he learned how to love and relieve pain forever.
United (Drama): This film includes cameos from Jenna Elfman (EdTV, Keeping the Faith), Erika Christensen (Traffic, Upside of Anger), Catherine Bell (JAG), Sheeraz Hasan (Tinseltown), and Lynsey Bartilson (Grounded for Life). An inner-city kid with a heart for basketball is the only one willing to stand up to a fearsome group of local hoodlums. But he can’t do it alone, and pays a dear price for his bravado. Now his only chance lies in a frail hope that he might unite those like him, across oceans and ethnic boundaries, to ultimately return for a final climatic showdown on the court.
The Chase Is On (Feature): Oscar winner and NYIIFVF award winner, Aran D’Souza, is the Senior Editor of this Australian film “Stealing the cash was easy…getting away was the hard part.” “Hot wired” from the 70’s & 80’s genre of Aussie muscle car movies, two GT fanatics are fuelled by revenge after being double crossed by the Mafia. Their mission—steal the money back, plus interest.
XTACY (Horror/Thriller): This film is inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's Tell Tale Heart. It examines a year in the life of a successful New York Artist turned serial killer. Alex Winthrop, the film's main character finds that by killing beautiful women, he is able to create wonderful masterpieces by capturing their souls on canvas.
The Crop (Drama/Comedy/Fiction): Starring: Australian stars George Elliot, Rhys Muldoon, and Holly Brisley. Night club owner, Ronald “Blade” Gillette (George Elliot), who realizes 2 months after random breath testing that he is going broke. He is still getting plenty of customers to gawk at the girls and listen to the band, but afraid of drunk driving, they’re not buying his grog. They’re going out into the car park, smoking marijuana and then coming back in for a glass of water and free entertainment. Now like any good business man with loans to pay, debts mounting and crooked cops demanding their protection money, Blade decides he needs to tailor his business to suit his customer demands. Diversify and expand. After recruiting his best mate David Kowaski (Rhys Muldoon) and his girlfriend Geraldine (Holly Brisley) to assist him in the grand scheme of his business saving plan, what happens next will have you on the edge of your seat with anticipation and rolling in the isles with laughter.
Vinsanity (Comedy): “Vinsanity” is a one-person comedic performance starring Vince August, directed by Kaan Tulgar. Vince is sent to a psychiatrist who is trying to help make Vince more “mainstream” and help him move away from his angry rants about his personal life, racial stereotypes, religion and society in general. Vince convinces the psychiatrist and a packed house at The World Famous Laugh Factory in New York’s Time Square that deep down we are all mentally twisted.
Flip a Coin (Comedy/Romantic): This film is about two guys Casper and Phillip who live on Brick Lane and they end up chasing girls, flipping a coin to choose the women. Then, they both fall for the same girl, Marie. Flip a Coin has been labeled as the “East End version of Notting Hill.
A Bit of Stick (Comedy/Animation): Directed by two-time Emmy Winner Duane Lebbe.
The Big Empty (Dramedy): Directed by J. Lisa Chang and Newton Thomas Sigel. Starring Selma Blair, Elias Koteas, Richard Kind, Richmond Arquette, and Gabriel Mann. George Clooney is the Executive Producer. A bittersweet tale of Alice, her vagina and the infinite nature of the tundra.
Emmanuel’s Gift (Documentary): Directed by Lisa Lax & Nancy Stern and narrated by Oprah Winfrey. Lisa Lax is a winner of 13 Emmy Awards. This is the story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, who didn’t have anything, but gave everything and changed a nation forever. Emmanuel was born with a deformed leg in a country in which disabled people are believed to be a curse or punishment and are therefore hidden from society or even killed. He journeyed to the nation’s capital Accra. He soon learned of a California based organization called the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) that makes grants to disabled athletes. He begins his quest with a bicycle ride, over 600 kilometers, across Ghana, with one leg. His awe-inspiring journey awakens the spirit of his fellow disables and captures the attention of the nation’s media, citizens and the political leadership and Ghana’s most influential King.
Troy's Story (Documentary/Biography): Narrated by Ewan McGregor (Trainspotting, Moulin Rouge). Troy's Story explores the life of Australian motorcycle sensation Troy Bayliss, World Superbike Champion. It's an intimate and revealing portrait of a charismatic and quiet family man who from humble beginnings growing up on a wheat farm, always dreamed of one day racing bikes. Narrated by self confessed Troy Bayliss fan Ewan McGregor, Troy's Story provides an extraordinary and rare insight into a world championship racing team and remains the definitive behind the scenes expose about a genuine Australian hero.
The Moment (Music Video): Starring: Bjork, Moby, Tori Amos, Basement Jaxx, George Clinton, LFO, Beastie Boys, and Nina Hagen. The Moment brings all aspects of life in the electronic music scene. It concentrates them to cone and filters the essence. And it brings together people, unites them in the moment.
Showtime at the Hippodrome (Documentary): Directed by Oscar Winner William Whiteford.
This film is about the legendary Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore, Maryland and the Hippodrome’s “rebirth” renovation.
Behind the Artist: Michael Godard (Short/Documentary): Behind the Artist reveals the tragic life story of America's best-selling artist- Michael Godard. For the first time in his life the artist discloses the shocking truth of his past: intolerable brutality by his stepfather that drove him to teenage drug abuse and to mental breakdown that resulted in attempted suicide. The documentary features interviews with Vince Neil of Motley Crue, Dishwalla and Alter Bridge.
I? (Short): Directed by Wade Robson who has worked extensively with Britney Spears and NSYNC. A young boy, whose life is dance, becomes paralyzed after a horrible car accident. Years later, everything changes when he receives a spiritual awakening in his dreams.
Method of Entry (Short/Action): Directed by Greg Van Borssum. In a world of gaming chaos, two fierce competitors battle it out for the title supreme, but at what cost? Fantasy meets reality as we truly see—just what is the price of life. Mr. Borssum is currently working on an animation film with Warner Brothers.

Festival hotel information -
NYIIFVF is proud to announce The Roosevelt Hotel as the official hotel in New York for the festival. The Roosevelt is a legendary Manhattan landmark. The Roosevelt Hotel has been revitalized to its original 1924 'JAZZ AGE' splendor! With over 1000 sophisticated guestrooms and luxurious suites, The Roosevelt staff is ready to pamper the 2005 New York International Independent Film & Video Festival guests! This is a very special place, "Wall Street", "The Boiler Room", "Presumed Innocent", "Quiz Show", "Malcolm X", "Maid in Manhattan" and many other movies were filmed here including popular TV show “The Bachelor”. The Roosevelt is located at 45 East 45th Street at Madison Avenue. Special rates are given to our Festival participants. Please look at our site for details (www.nyfilmvideo.com). Madison Lounge in the lobby area at the Roosevelt Hotel will be the Official Meet and Greet Location for the festival. All VIP pass holders please show pass for a 10% discount for food. With the gracious appeal of a Mayfair Drawing Room, the Madison Club Lounge's rich mahogany paneling, stained glass windows and deep cushioned leather chairs make a relaxed and comfortable setting for casual conversation and meeting business acquaintances. Teddy’s Table Restaurant at the Roosevelt Hotel also offers all VIP Pass Holders a 10% discount on food. With culinary delights designed to satisfy every taste, Teddy's Table offers meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Featuring 1920's styling, guests are treated to superior cuisine and an indulgent experience.

The Opening Night Party along with the New York International Art Festival on April 28th will be held at the Club Spirit (530 West 27th Street) in Manhattan from 7pm to Midnight. Opening Night Tickets are priced at $20 each. This is an ALL AGES event. Parents or guardians must accompany anyone that is 17 and under. The entire spectrum of the film, music and art industries will be expected to attend. Select artists will be displaying their work and all will be available for purchase.
After-Parties will be held each night at various locations throughout from 10pm to 2am. List of after-parties will be posted on our website (www.nyfilmvideo.com) by April 15th. Dress Code is strictly enforced. All after-parties are for 21 and over only.
Seminars will be held at the The Roosevelt located at 45 East 45th Street at Madison Avenue. Dates, Topics and Panelists information will be posted on our website (www.nyfilmvideo.com) by April 15th. Tickets & VIP Passes can be purchased from TicketWeb by calling 1(866) 468-7619 or log on to www.ticketweb.com General tickets for film screenings can also be purchased at the ticket booth for $10. Opening Night tickets may be purchased online at TicketWeb.com at least 2 days in advance. Opening Night tickets are $20. All day music showcase tickets are priced at $20. VIP passes will give all access to film screenings, music performances, all after-parties, opening night and all film and music seminars throughout all of the festivals. VIP passes are being sold at $300 each.