QUEENS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Independent Force • International Presence

EXTENDED DEADLINES!!
2006 CALL FOR ENTRIES
QIFF: Sept 1st, 2006
Withoutabox: Sept 15, 2006

CONGRATULATIONS TO RICHARD VETERE!!
QIFF Pres. Marie Castaldo was honored to be present for the dedication of Richard Vetere’s  Papers to The Center for Italian Studies in conjunction with Special Collections/ The Stoney Brook University Library.  Richard Vetere has been a QIFF Advisory Board member since its inception in 2002 and Marie was thrilled to be present Tuesday, May 2, 2006 where he shared selected readings from his collection of works, followed by a Q & A and a book signing.

Richard Vetere is a poet, playwright, novelist, film and television writer and actor. He is the author of forty plays including: Gangster Apparel, The Engagement, First Love, The Marriage Fool, Hale the Hero! How to Go Out on a Date in Queens. He holds a master’s degree in Contemporary English Literature from Columbia University and lectures on film writing at Queens College.

REEL FOCUS
It was with great pleasure that we received a letter from filmmaker Stu Pollard with exciting news.  Pollard’s feature film, “Keep Your Distance”, an Official Selection at QIFF 2005, has secured a nationwide DVD distribution deal, and will also appear on Showtime this fall! Congratulations Stu and our very best wishes for your continuing success! www.distanceflick.com

QIFF 2005 Best Foreign Film Winner Perhaps Love, also an Academy Award contender for Best Foreign Film, 2006m and Venice Film Festival 2005 closing night film, was premiered at the Soho House for a few lucky industry executives.  Guests later raved about the film with such expressions as “stunning”, “emotive”, “complex”, “thoroughly enthralling” and  “a definite must-see film of 2006”  and had the unique opportunity to discuss the film with Peter Chan, Director, (The Love Letter and He’s a Woman, She’s a Man)  & Andre Morgan, Producer (Million Dollar Baby) who flew in from Shangai.
www.perhapslovemovie.com

We would love for our Selected Filmmakers & Screenwriters from previous years to share their success stories with us for inclusion in upcoming QIFF newsletters! Write to infoqueensfilmfestival.com

QIFF IN ACTION
Put Compassion Into Action
As part of QIFF’s humanitarian initiative, we will be featuring both local and international Charities and Not-For-Profit Organizations in our newsletters, as an extension of our support and in an attempt to educate and inspire acts of compassion. QIFF President & Founder Marie Castaldo put compassion into action by donating to Operation Smile & Bennie’s Buddies Inc.

Operation Smile
Changing Lives…One Smile at a Time
Mission Statement: Throughout the world, Operation Smile volunteers repair childhood facial deformities while building public and private partnerships that advocate for sustainable healthcare systems for children and families. Together, we create smiles, change lives, heal humanity. www.operationsmile.org

Bennie’s Buddies Inc.
P.O. Box 41, Cochecton Center, NY 12727 
Marie Castaldo raised about $3000.00 for Bennie’s Buddies Inc. She discovered Bennie’s Buddies Inc., an animal rescue and rehabilitation organization, while in Upstate New York. Living off a pension, director of Bennie’s Buddies Inc., 72 year old Gloria Smith,  provides food, shelter and veterinary care out of her own pocket. Mission: the long term care and nurturing of abandoned, neglected, and abused animals.  She needs all the help she can get-please give generously.

If you know of local and international charitable organizations that you would like QIFF to consider profiling in upcoming newsletters please let us know! Email infoqueensfilmfestival.com

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
The Queens International Film Festival is becoming a vital part of the cultural life of Queens and New York, thanks to the volunteers who turn the wheels of the festival operation. We hope you can join the QIFF volunteer team.
 
Some of the areas where volunteers are presently needed include:
» General Administration
» Community Relations
»  Media
»  Marketing
» Advertising
» Sponsorship

For further information please contact
Volunteer Coordination
Queens International Film Festival
6561 Saunders Street - 8P
Rego Park, NY 11374
tel: 718-459-5496
email: volunteerqueensfilmfestival.com