The New York International Independent Film and Video Festival gears up for 8 days of screenings, world premieres, parties and panels in Los Angeles.
The New York International Independent Film & Video Festival (NYIIFVF) announces its return to Los Angeles, September 14 – 21, 2006 for its bi-annual film extravaganza.

Now in its 13th year, NYIIFVF is a distinctive event in the entertainment and arts communities with world premieres and over 200 international and domestic films, shorts, documentaries and animations. The festivities kick off with an opening night networking event at the Grand Ballroom in the Wyndham Bel Age Hotel and film festival screenings will be held exclusively at the Laemmle Fairfax 3 from September 15-21st.

NYIIFVF attracts many global entries. Filmmakers from Australia, Spain, Italy, Mexico, France, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Sweden, South Africa, Austria, Portugal, Norway the U.K and all over the US will be showcasing their films. The scope of the festival ranges from high profile to novice, so one may experience an array of films and individuals driven by independent movie making.

NYIIFVF founder and executive producer Stuart Alson commented, "Our festival represents a new wave of independent filmmakers and offers a unique opportunity for our participants show their projects, win awards, experience the West Coast film culture, meet influential members of the film industry, and of course give our delegates and loyal audiences the chance to see great movies, go to parties and attend panels without the pretentiousness! We are very proud of our filmmakers and are delighted that so many distributors are attending and that tickets are selling fast.”

Festival Highlights:
Abby Singer. Comedy. Directed by Ryan Willams. Chronicling the life of small-town casting director, Curtis Clemins,
torn between love and a dream, and the life of buddy, Kevin Prouse, a drunken acting coach avoiding divorce… Abby Singer is Nashville meets The Player with a twist of American Movie. Appearances: Jake Gyllenhaal, Roger Ebert, Stockard Channing, Jill Hennessy, Jay O. Sanders, Don Cheadle, Mark Borchardt, Mike Schank, Dave Attell, and Adam Carolla. (Wednesday, September 20th at 8:10pm, Screen 1)

Willie Frances Must Die Again. Documentary. Directed by Allan Durand and narrated by Danny Glover. A 16 year old African American electrocuted in the electric chair in 1946...AND AGAIN IN 1947, while a Supreme Court Justice who cast the deciding vote to allow the second "execution" tries to save his life. (Saturday, September 16th at 6:00pm, Screen 3)

Waiting Room. Comedy. Directed by Lauren Marcus. Everyone hates sitting in waiting rooms, and 90-year-old Indian men are no exception! When Kumar Pallana (The Terminal, Royal Tennenbaums, Rushmore) is stuck waiting for the doctor, he encounters a series of obnoxious and eccentric patients, until a turn of fate takes him exactly where he wants to be. (Sunday, September 17th at 8:10pm, Screen 1)

Daft Punk's Electroma. Thriller. Directed by Thomas Bangalter & Guymanuel de Homem Christo (Daft Punk). Daft Punk's Electroma is the odyssey of two robots who journey across a mythic American landscape of surreal beauty on a quest to become human. (Friday, September 15 at 8:10pm, Screen 1)

Hell To Pay. Western. Directed by Chris McIntyre. Ten Legendary Western Icons return in a thrilling tale of Two Brothers in love with the same woman who end up on opposite sides of the law. Lee Majors, James Drury, Stella Stevens, Bo Svenson, Buck Taylor, Peter Brown, Tim Thomerson, Andy Prine, Denny Miller, William Smith. (Thursday, September 21 at 6:00pm, Screen 3)

F8 (FATE). Thriller. Directed by Ian Truitner. After a fatal accident a bizarre twist of FATE brings a troubled young man face to face with his victim. Starring: Clayne Crawford (E! Hot in Hollywood List, Swimfan, A Love Song For Bobby Long), Diego Serrano (Another World, The Valley of the Wolves: Iraq), Rob Kirkland (The ID and Bob, When A Telemarketer Calls), Lindsey Labrum (Small Town X, Potheads), Sala Baker (The Lord of the Rings). (Saturday, September 16th at 8:10pm, Screen 1)

What If. Comedy/Drama. Directed by Alan Walsh. Our story centers on the lives and tribulations of two struggling movie stuntmen, Kevin and Dave, looking for a way out. Using their contacts, they hatch a plan to write a screenplay with " unforeseen " consequences. " IS THIS DESTINY OR WHAT " Featuring veteran directors John Boorman (The Full Monty) and Jim Sheridan (In America). (Sunday, September 17th at 8:10pm, Screen 1)

Mad Bad. Action/Drama. World Premiere.Directed by Jon Keeyes.An ex-con attempts to rebuild his life, but is drawn into the same circumstances that led to his demise starring Vincent Riverside (who was in "HOLD ON" with Melissa Joan Hart & Danny Masterson) and is directed by Jon Keeyes who just completed the film "Living and Dying" starring Edward Furlong, Michael Madsen and Bai Ling. Collective Soul contributed to the original soundtrack. (Tuesday, September 19th at 8:00pm, Screen 3)

Shooting Henry Hill. Crime/Social Documentary. Directed by Luke Heppner. Filmmakers find themselves in the middle of an organized crime investigation when they discover wise guy Henry Hill in a small Nebraska town. 25 years after testifying against his mafia associates and entering the Federal Witness Protection Program, Henry's life is very different from the glamorized lifestyle portrayed in Martin Scorsese's film, Goodfellas. (Saturday, September 16th at 6:00pm, Screen 3)

Secret Mysteries of America's Beginnings, Volume I: The New Atlantis. Documentary. Directed by Christian J. Pinto. Secret Mysteries of America's Beginnings is a powerful documentary that details the hidden facts about the founding of America and the esoteric underbelly of its design. Were secret societies behind our nations' founding? And is their agenda what motivates America today? (Tuesday, September 19th at 3:00pm, Screen 1)

East Tennessee Hard Hitters. Documentary. Directed by Blu Chez and Shannon M. Grier. East Tennessee Hard Hitters is a documentary based on the struggles of sixteen local rappers of East Tennessee in their career endeavor. Starring Blu Chez (King of the K) and featuring the Hit from Mr. Mack, "Where U From?" (Monday, September 18th at 8:10pm, Screen 1)

Under the Radar. Dark Comedy. Directed by R.B.Lindsay. A dark comedy set in a graveyard at the death of his third wife, Paulo faces the two great mysteries every man faces, God and women. Directorial Debut. (Friday, September 15th at 4:00pm, Screen 3)

Fragments of Daniela. Drama directed by award-winning writer/director Sasha Knezev. Dramatic feature that deals with the sex trafficking of underage Eastern European girls. This haunting exposition sheds light on the evil nature of man with the overarching theme asking us to consider why such horrors are allowed to take place in this day and age. Starring talented newcomer Ramona Popa and features Cazzy Golomb (Cult, That 70’s Show). The film has a stellar score composed by Krazy D and Mellow Man Ace including the hit track “Daniela.” (Saturday, September 16th at 8:00pm)

I paint a woman’s life in my culture…(Unveiling). Award-winning Bio-Documentary. Directed by Mahvash Mossaed. The Iranian American painter and poet Mahvash Mossaed narrates her emergence from the crucible of womanhood with a poignant blend of artwork, poetry, and candid commentary. (Saturday. September 16th at 4:00pm, Screen 3)

Brothers. Drama. Directed by prolific theater director Fernando Scarpa. Josh (Rob Alicea) always looked up to his older and devious brother, Gino (Chris Keogh), when they were children growing up in Italy, just before they moved to New York. Now in America, they have taken very opposite paths, quite different than expected, with the naughty kid Gino even becoming a priest. When Josh’s posh penthouse is robbed, the trail leads Detective Garza (Connie James) to Father Gino and it sends Josh on an unexpected journey toward a brother he only thinks he knows. Could Gino really have done this? A priest? Now things are very different, or are they? (Saturday, September 16th at 8:10pm, Screen 1)
El Barrio Social Documentary directed by Melissa Eidson Mexico City's "hot" centric zone seen through the eyes of the people who live there. Some of the characters from the toughest neighborhoods talk about their work and life in a dangerous and chaotic environment. Strength, endurance, and ingenuity best describe the people from El Barrio. (Sunday, September 17 at 4:10pm, Screen 1.

Simon's Shadows. Drama. Directed by Richard J. Swank. Teacher loses his life fighting corruption, ignorance, injustice and prejudice in the California school system." Starring Richard J. Swank, Monita I. Swank, Rebecca J. Rome and the Swank Family. (Friday, September 15th at 6:00pm, Screen 3)
Opening Night along with the New York International Art Festival will take place on Thursday, September 14th from 7pm to midnight in the Grand Ball Room at the Wyndham Bel Age Hotel. (1020 N. San Vicente Blvd, West Hollywood, CA). Opening Night Tickets are priced at $20 each. This is an ALL AGES event.
All festival post-screening soirees are coordinated by dynamic publicist/event planner Renata Lorenc of Rula PR and will be held each night at various locations such as Aqua, Level 3, Cabana Club, Jimmy’s and The Standard. All after-parties are 21 and over with a strict dress code.

Film Seminars will be held at the Wyndham Bel Age Hotel (1020 North San Vicente Blvd. in West Hollywood) from September 15th – 17th , 2006. Topics and Panelists information are posted on www.nyfilmvideo.com
Tickets & VIP Passes can be purchased from TicketWeb by calling 1(866) 468-7619 and/or tickets can be purchased by going to www.nyfilmvideo.com and clicking on the schedule/TKTS link.

General tickets for film screenings can be purchased at the Laemmle Fairfax ticket booth for $12 for each block of film from Sep 15th onwards. Opening night party tickets may be purchased online at TicketWeb.com at least 2 days in advance or in person on Opening Night for $20. VIP passes will give all access to film screenings unless sold out, all after-parties, opening night and all film seminars throughout the festival. VIP passes are being sold at $300 each.

The complete schedule of films ad synopses is available online at www.nyfilmvideo.com. All screenings will take place at the Laemmle Fairfax 3 Theatre at 7907 Beverly Blvd. in Los Angeles, CA.
Accreditation - Press and industry can receive all-access VIP passes by faxing requests to (702) 361-6309 on your company letterhead (Attn: Nicole Holland).
For interviews, screener copies, trailers, media kits, images and additional information about the NYIIFVF, please contact Nicole Holland at 702-263-4480.