The New York City International Film Festival (NYCIFF), presented by Russian Standard, opened for its tenth consecutive edition on February 25th at the Dolby Screening Room in New York City. The VIP Opening Reception kicked off the week of screening of international shorts and feature films.
Founded by Roberto Rizzo, the NYCIFF celebrates storytelling in all its forms, from feature filmmaking to short-story narrative, and web series to documentaries. The 2019 edition will introduce 29 screenings throughout the week.
Opening Night featured the North American premier of Factory Cowboys – Working with Warhol. The film is based on Lommel’s 2017 biography “Factory Fame – Working with Warhol,” and focuses on Warhol’s factory life in Manhattan during the late 1970’s.
Veneno – The First Fall, starring accomplished actor Manny Pérez in the role of Dominican wrestler Jack Veneno, was also screened at the opening and director Tabare Blanchard took part in a Q&A with Roberto Rizzo to discuss Veneno’s impact and legacy after the screening.
Other stars who attended Opening Night included Robert Cenedella who’s movie Art Bastard screened at NYCIFF for the first time, Deborah Kuhn who screened Monarch Butterly and Susan J. Barron, who will premiere her vivid documentary, Depicting the Invisible chronicled veterans who suffer from PTSD.nyciff.com