The 13th annual installment of the Coney Island Film Festival (named one of the "25 Coolest Film Festivals" by MovieMaker Magazine) hits the shores of Coney Island from Friday, September 20th through Sunday, September 22nd. This year's festival features 88 films from around the world; a stunning array of high and low-brow fare, as diverse as the neighborhood it represents. Subjects range from the profound to the profane, showcasing the independent spirit and irreverent nature of the one and only Coney Island.
The festival kicks off on Friday Night, September 20th at 7:30pm in the Coney Island Museum with a screening of "More Than The Rainbow". As it chronicles the life and times of street photographer and former cabbie Matt Weber, More Than The Rainbow becomes a vibrant conversation about the photographic medium, artistic expression and NYC. Set to wonderful jazz and drenched in evocative images, the film is bittersweet and nostalgic from beginning to end. Following the screening, it's our Opening Night Party, 9:30 p.m. at the Freak Bar and Sideshows by the Seashore (1208 Surf Ave.). It's an evening of live performance from the Coney Island Circus Sideshow and stars of the New York Burlesque scene! Hosted by Adam RealMan. Open Bar (beer and wine) from 9:30pm - 11:30pm, light finger food will be served.
The Coney Island Film festival offers a huge variety of Shorts, Features, Documentaries, Animation, Experimental, Made in Coney Island, Horror Films, and Music Videos, making CIFF, a festival with something for everyone! Short highlights include renowned animator Bill Plympton's latest "Drunker than a Skunk", an adaptation from a poem by Walt Curtis about a cowboy town that torments the local drunk. Fernando Cuestas's "Shoe Shine Chicken", Based on a true story. Set in the music and colors of 1963,. Shoe Shine Chicken follows a pair of derelict kids shining shoes on the Coney Island boardwalk. Russell Cramer's "Give Chase" an action film about a simple bike messenger delivery that turns into a relentless bike chase through industrial Brooklyn, where a corporate hit man, called 'The Bull,' tries to intercept the package, by any means necessary.Documentary Feature highlights include: Dave Carroll's "Bending Steel" an intimate journey exploring the lost art of the oldetime strongman and one man's struggle to overcome limitations of body and mind. The film follows Chris Schoeck as he attempts to become a professional strongman, from training in his small basement storage unit, to his very first performance on the big stage at New York's historic Coney Island. Three subjects from the film (Chris Schoeck, Chris Rider and Adam Realman) will perform strongman feats live, prior to the screening. Joe Glickman's "One Wall: Kings of Coney Island". For more than 50 years, the National One Wall Handball Championship has been played at the Seaside Courts in Coney Island. One Wall follows the most talented athletes you've never heard of as they vie for the coveted title in 2011. CIFF presents the New York Premiere of Angela Snow's "World Circus". Following five of the top circus acts from around the world to the 'Academy Awards' of circus competitions, the Monte Carlo Circus Festival, the film reveals the behind the scenes life, history, and culture of circus on an international scale as never done before.
Feature film highlights include the World Premiere of Eric Spade Rivas's "Vamp Bikers". Vamp Bikers tells the story of a biker town that becomes infested with a clan of ancient vampires hungry for blood and features Dorsey Wright, Brian Tyler and Apache Ramos, from the Cult Classic "The Warriors". CIFF presents the World Premiere of Eric Branco's Stay Cold, Stay Hungry. Unsatisfied with his comfortable life, Harley has struck out to experience the hardships of being homeless in New York City. He is soon befriended by Manny, a recovering alcoholic trying to get his life back in order. Together they embark on a journey that takes them throughout the City as Harley struggles to keep his true identity hidden... And in keeping with annual tradition, the festival will screen the 1979 Coney Island cult classic "The Warriors", at 11:00pm on Saturday, September 21st at Sideshows By The Seashore.
The wildly popular Horror Shorts Program returns again this year, Saturday, September 21st at 8pm. Eight films from the bizarre to the macabre, are bound to scare and spook the audience!Wrapping up the festivals last screening block on Sunday, September 22nd at 6pm, is "Coney Island Films", featuring short films centered and themed around Coney Island.An awards ceremony takes place Sunday, September 22nd, 8pm at the Eldorado Auto Skooters, 1216 Surf Ave., where filmmakers and attendees get to ride the bumper cars right after the awards are handed out!
Films screen at Coney Island USA's Sideshows by the Seashore (Ground Floor) and the Coney Island Museum (2nd Floor), both located inside the landmarked Coney Island USA building at 1208 Surf Ave., between Stillwell Ave. and West 12st in Coney Island, Brooklyn. 718-372-5159.
Tickets:
Full Festival Pass (excludes "The Warriors"): $50
Opening Night Screening: $7
Opening Night Party: $25
Saturday Screening Pass (excludes "The Warriors"): $15
Saturday Night Screening of The Warriors: $12
Sunday Screening Pass: $10
Any Individual Program Screening: $7
Advanced tickets for all programs and events are on sale now at our website. Remaining tickets and passes are available day of, at the box office 1208 Surf Ave.For the full schedule and a complete list of films and events at the festival, visit www.coneyislandfilmfestival.com
