Editor

The Downbeach Film Festival Presents the Inaugural Atlantic City Cinefest – October 16-18

With a name reflecting its move from Margate and Ventnor to Atlantic City, the 2009 Downbeach Film Festival presents the Atlantic City Cinefest. The three day event will offer a diverse selection independent feature films, shorts and documentaries of varying genres, many of them from New Jersey filmmakers. The festival opens with the East Coast Premiere of the Atlantic City-based Ice Grill, USA co-directed by Greg Santarsiero and Mark Bernardi. Following the screening, the co-directors, cast members and attendees are invited to a reception with music by the band "Crazy Uncle", featuring board member, Andy Myers, on bass. All festival screenings will be held in The Screening Room on the 13th floor at Resorts Atlantic City.

In addition to the films, a panel discussion on independent filmmaking will be held Saturday afternoon in the Producer’s Room, also on the 13th floor.

The festival will also honor veteran actor, Martin Kove, who appeared in Wyatt Earp, all three Karate Kid films and numerous television shows. Mr. Kove stars in Bare Knuckles, a tale of a single mother who steps into the ring to feed her family and he will receive the Lifesaver Award for his cinematic achievements at the 2nd Downbeach Film Festival Sunday evening, October 18. Co-star Jeanette Roxborough will also attend. Louis Mandylor, from My Big Fat Greek Wedding, who stars in the new comedy, Gerald and the thriller, In the Eyes of a Killer, will also be in attendance and will receive the Chameleon Award on Sunday night. The award is given for his remarkable lengthy and disparate list of characters he's played in his career.


Other festival highlights include:
• Empty Room and Life Behind Beards: Two submissions from Rowan University
• The Cartel: a Michael Moore-style documentary which takes on the New Jersey public school system.
• Band of Pirates: A poignant look back at the 1989 Seton Hall basketball team's run to the Final Four.
• Together: Angelo and Steven are throwing a party to celebrate their one-year anniversary - and everything that can go wrong, will. Funny stuff.
• Sam's Rain: a dramedy about a soldier returning from Iraq.

For more information, visit www.downbeachfilmfestival.org
401 Berkshire Drive
Ventnor, NJ 08406
609.823.9159