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Arts & EntertainmentWise The 2007 Palm Beach International Film Festival: What a Week to Remember! By Victoria DeMatteo “Hi, I’m Victoria DeMatteo with FloridaWise Magazine. May I ask you a few questions” was how my first celebrity interview began at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club on the evening of April 20, 2007 Iwas briefed by Terri Neal, Director of Public Relations and Carol Marshall who is in charge of National Public Relations for the 2007 Palm Beach International Film Festival, as we walked through a majestic palace garnished with magnificent architecture and interior design. “The celebrities will walk through the designated red carpet area. All reporters and photographers will have their chance to speak with each celebrity. (No pushing, no shoving, no cutting the proverbial line … so forth, and so on.) Any questions” Did she say red carpet “No questions, but thank you for the information,” was all I could muster up as I slowly realized how lucky I was to be covering such an amazing event. The Palm Beach International Film Festival (PBIFF), founded in 1996 by Commissioner Burt Aaronson and Philanthropist George Elmore, has been offering Palm Beach County residents an exciting cultural and artistic venue for 12 years. The event has hosted top celebrities and filmmakers, including Academy Award Winners Anthony Hopkins, Tommy Lee Jones and Dennis Hopper, as well as Academy Award Nominees Sylvester Stallone, Salma Hayek, 14 June/July 2007
Photo: Jangeltun | Dreamstime.com Far Left: Tristan Rogers as emcee of the PBIFF awards gala; Academy Award nominee Malcolm McDowell; PBIFF honoree Q’Orianka Kilcher; Vincenzo Amato star of The Golden Door at Opening Night of PBIFF; Emmy Award nominee Dylan McDermott; The Emeralds and director, writer and actor Robert Davi at Closing Night of PBIFF; Vincent Pastore of the Sopranos visits with G-Star School of the Arts students Photography: Ralph Notaro Woody Harrelson and Burt Reynolds. The PBIFF has been recognized as one of the top 25 Independent Film Festivals in the world in what has become a week long event that celebrates not only American, but International Independent Film. Beginning Thursday, April 19 Palm Beach County enjoyed a week long festival, which premiered a variety of films written, produced and directed by some of tomorrow’s brightest and talented filmmakers. Highlight events of the week included Friday evening’s party at Mar-a-Lago Club, where filmmakers mingled poolside at one of the hottest resorts in Palm Beach County; Saturday, April 21 was the premiere event of the week honoring some of the most respected artists in the motion picture industry held at the Boca Raton Resort and Club; and Tuesday, April 24 awarded local Florida students $25,000 in scholarships, cash awards and prizes at this year’s Student Showcase of Films, where surprise guest Vincent Pastore from the Sopranos made a special appearance. I was fortunate enough to meet many of the talented individuals being honored during the week long event on Friday evening at Mar-a-Lago Club. With tape recorder in hand, music in the background, cameras flashing, and me, awkwardly leaning over the red velvet ropes, I was quickly humbled by the grace and sincerity of PBIFF honorees like Q’Orianka Kilcher (The New World, Pocahontas), Avery Sommers (Hiding Victoria), Malcolm McDowell (Clockwork Orange and NBC’s Heroes), and the host of the 12th Annual Grand Gala and Awards Presentation Tristan Rogers (General Hospital). As I made my way through the line of celebrities, I was particularly impressed by two honorees, Dan Chinander and Marc Meyers. Offering me an inside glimpse of the talent and artistry that goes on “behind the scenes,” Dan and Marc made the evening not only memorable, but truly inspirational for this local reporter just trying to do her job. FishTale Production’s Dan Chinander, directed, produced, edited and co-wrote one of this year’s PBIFF debut films, Hiding Victoria. The film tells a story about a rebellious 22-year-old convicted felon (Victoria) who must serve her sentence as “helpmate” to Althea, a 70-year-old wealthy woman. Victoria and this incredibly altruistic woman, learn that their seemingly different lives share in the universal truth that pulls them together in a captivating and inspiring story about the power of forgiveness. Dan humbly expressed his appreciation for the PBIFF not only for the accolades Hiding Victoria received, but also for how “it has opened doors for us to present our next project with studio executives.” Dan is currently working on two new Disney-style films, Little Production Company and Animal Air, and hopes to work again with the local talent of Palm Beach County’s G-Star School of the Arts for Motion Pictures and Broadcasting. Hiding Victoria offered 10 students from G-Star “full-blown movie credits” for their dedication and hard work during the making of the film, along with recognition on imdb.com (The Internet Movie Database), an accomplishment that many people strive for their entire careers! Also premiering during the 2007 PBIFF was Approaching Union Square, a film written and directed by Marc Meyers, and produced by Ibid Filmworks partners Jody Girgenti and Marc Meyers, which reveals a collage of FishTale Production’s Dan Chinander and wife Deb FloridaWise Magazine 15
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