The New York International Independent Film and Video Festival kicked off last night with an awards ceremony and after party at the Boulevard in the Bowery, New York. Security guards screened guests who then gathered before the red carpet and photo op backdrop in the club’s lobby. Celebs included famous bad-boy Frank Lucas (whose life story was made into a movie, “American Gangster,” starring Denzel Washington). The club’s main bar was set up like a convention center with directors and artists at tables with video screens displaying their films and projects. The main awards ceremony was way back in another section. People jammed shoulder-to-shoulder trying to get a view of a small stage where the hosts announced winners for shorts, features and documentary films. My understanding is that the awards were for films shown at the New York International Film Festival in October 2009.
Here is the Web link that lists those winners and awards: http://www.nyfilmvideo.com/ Click on “Awards.” Then click on “2009 Festival Awards.” And then click on “2009 Festival Awards New York October.” Presenters at Thursday’s event in New York included Times Square’s Naked Cowboy (shown in one photo with his guitar on stage). Winners received gold statuettes, mini versions of Academy Awards’ gold statues.
The New York International Independent Film and Video Festival runs July 22 through 29 and includes the documentary, “Mysteries Behind Closed Doors: The Untold Story of Rev. Dr. Malachi K. York Case,” directed by Lucas’ nephew, Paul Bowen (at left, in black, in the photo with the elder Lucas [seated, third from left], and Lucas’ son, Frank Lucas Jr. [in white]).
By the way, Frank Lucas (Sr.) has just released his autobiography, “Original Gangsters,” and was there to promote his book. We Know TV met many more talented and creative people at this party, so stay tuned for another blog post.
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