Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Pizza Night - Doubling Up


The word is out and the response has been huge. So huge that we are considering running the program on Pizza Night twice (in the parking lot next to Grimaldi's). The films being shown that night are all short and the entire program will only take about 35 minutes. That will allow us to have a second seating and run the films again.

At this time we are not saying if free pizza samples will be available, but don't forget that the line for Grimaldi's will be only steps away.

Friday, May 23, 2008

Pizza Night Has Been Set


Most nights of the festival will be held at Water Taxi Beach in LIC. Tuesday June 17th is a different matter. We knew we had to move 'off campus' at least one night of the festival but did not have a venue to screen films. Then I had a brainstorm. In keeping with the NYC Food Film Festival philosophy of having food available that is portrayed in a film, why not screen the pizza films as close as possible to a NY pizza icon? I inquired about the parking lot adjacent to Grimaldi's Pizza in Brooklyn and after a 3 minute conversation with its owner (Toro Asian Fusion next door) we had our remote screening facility.

On Tuesday, June 17th, we are going to set up our projector in the parking lot, put out 50 rental chairs, and screen the fantastic short Pure and Simple, a film about Anthony Mangieri, my pizza short Brooklyn Pizza (that features Grimaldi's), and In Pignata, a short film about Calabrian fireside cooking. If all goes well, Grimaldi's will send over pizza to sample and if you can stand the wait (which is not that bad) get in line with the German tourists to score a table at this famous Brooklyn pizza outpost after the screening.

The parking lot space is not as big as the beach (see above), has no sand, but will prove to be an intimate screening (for FREE) for anyone that wants to attend. No rain and this screening will be a winner.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Here We Go Again!


The Second Annual NYC Food Film Festival is only a few weeks away and the schedule has been set. The directors of the festival (George Motz & Harry Hawk) and the selection committee wish to thank everyone who entered films in the festival this year. We were slightly overwhelmed by the robust response to the call-for-entries and screened over 50 films this Spring.

Check here often for updates and check the schedule regularly because it may change over the next few weeks. We are looking forward to a great festival with amazing food and beg for good weather. Remember that admission to the festival is FREE but food and drink can be purchased at the beach.

We'd also like to thank our 2008 Master Sponsor Peroni Beer. Without them this festival would just feel like a backyard party with a big movie screen.