HomeEVENTSART EVENTSNew York City International...

New York City International Film Festival Announces Winners at Closing Award Ceremony – Veneno – The First Fall Takes top Prize at New York City International Film Festival Closing Award Ceremony

 

(NEW YORK, NY – March 6Adora th, 2019) – The New York City International Film Festival (NYCIFF), presented by Russian Standard, wrapped up its tenth consecutive edition with the Closing Award ceremony on March 1st at The Dolby Screening Room in New York City. Founded by Roberto Rizzo, the NYCIFF celebrates storytelling in all its forms, from feature filmmaking to short-story narrative, and web series to documentaries.

 

(L-R) Jeff Lima, Tabare Blanchard, Roberto Rizzo Renee Willett

Opening night featured the North American premier of Factory Cowboys – Working with Warhol, introduced by director Ulli Lommel. Based on Lommel’s 2017 biography “Factory Fame – Working with Warhol,” the feature film focuses on Warhol’s factory life in Manhattan during the late 1970’s.

Veneno – The First Fall, starring accomplished actor Manny Pérez in the role of Dominican wrestler Jack Veneno, was also screened on Monday night and ultimately went on to win Best Feature Film at the Closing Award ceremony. Director Tabare Blanchard and Roberto Rizzo moderated a Q&A post screening to discuss Veneno’s impact and legacy in the Dominican Republic and beyond.

Actor Vincent Pastore was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award, and actress, philanthropist and comedian Renée Willett was honored with The Rising Star Award. Both Pastore’s films The Kids Menu and St. Joseph directed by Kathrina Miccio and Renée’s film Flight 666 were screened on closing night.

This year, NYCIFF introduced new award categories including web series and sci-fi, in addition to the eight category awards, which led by the jury president, R. Couri Hay.

“The New York City International Film Festival is dedicated to showcasing the most powerful voices in cinema, as well as nurturing up-and-coming talent, so we are thrilled that our 10th anniversary celebrated new mediums and emerging platforms,” said Founder and Director Roberto Rizzo. “We watch the festival grow bigger and more recognizable every year and continue to look forward to providing a platform to celebrate the best talent in the industry.”

Debuting this year, New York City International Film Festival showcased filmmakers and documentarians who use their craft to explore social issues.

Included in Best Documentary Short category was Depicting the Invisible, which traces the creation of a portrait series by artist Susan J. Barron that depicts 15 American veterans suffering from PTSD and their inspirational stories.

 

Susan B Jaron with a piece from Depicting the Invisible (The portrait series.)

Nominated in this category was also Freedom Education Project Puget Sound: College in Women’s Prison. The documentary short focuses on the subjects of the Seattle-based nonprofit which provides a rigorous college program for incarcerated women, trans-identified and gender nonconforming people at the Washington Corrections Center for Women in Washington state.

Renowned artist, Robert Cenedella introduced a special screening of his award-winning documentary, Art Bastard, on Tuesday, February 26th. The provocative feature film explores collusion and corruption within the art industry.

 

Robert Cenedella

The world premiere of Monarch Butterfly, a psychological thriller written by and starring actress Deborah Kuhn was nominated in Best Narrative Short category.

Actress Janel Tanna (pictured in feature image), who was awarded the NYCIFF Emerging Talent 2019 Award screened her female driven drama, Sienna’s Choice on Closing Night.

Other notable guests who attended included actor Paul Borghese, actor Beau Baxter and producer Darrell Lawrence.

Beau Baxter

 

NEW YORK CITY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AWARD WINNERS 2019

–       NYCIFF LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Vincent Pastore

–       NYCIFF RISING STAR AWARD
Renee Willett

–       BEST FEATURE FILM

Veneno – The First Fall

–       BEST DOCUMENTARY
Art Bastard

–       BEST HORROR / ACTION
Flight 666

–       BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A FEATURE FILM
Pepe Sierra
Veneno: The First Fall

–       BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A FEATURE FILM
Taylor Castro
Marriage Killer

–       BEST DIRECTOR IN A FEATURE FILM
Tabare Blanchard
Veneno: The First Fall

–       BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Talulah Riley
The Last Witness

–       BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Manny Perez
Veneno: The First Fall

–       BEST WEBSERIES 2019
Awkwardly

–       BEST TV SHOW / TV SERIES
St.Joseph

–       BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Kathrina Miccio
St. Joseph

–       BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Angela Pietropinto
St.Joseph

–       BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Vincent Pastore
St.Joseph

–       BEST SCI-FI SHORT
Eternity

–       BEST HORROR –  SHORT FILM
The Smiling Strangers

–       BEST SUPER SHORT FILM
Hello Brother

–       BEST SHORT FILM
Fairy Tail

–       BEST SHORT FILM NY
The Kids Menu

–       BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT
Paco

–       BEST ACTRESS IN A SHORT FILM
Nyle Lynn
The Kids Menu

–       BEST ACTOR IN A SHORT FILM
Vincent Pastore
The Kids Menu

–       BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A SHORT FILM
Mario Macaluso
Kids Menu

–       BEST DIRECTOR IN A SHORT FILM
Justin & Kristin Schaack
Fairy Tail

–       BEST DIRECTOR IN A SHORT FILM NY
Paul Borghese
The Kids Menu

–       BEST SHORT FILM
People Like You

–       BEST ACTRESS IN A SHORT
Deborah Kuhn
Monarch Butterfly

–       BEST ACTOR IN A SHORT FILM
Josh Mayes
People Like You

–       BEST DIRECTOR IN A SHORT FILM
Blake Winston Rice
People Like You

–       BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT
Depicting the Invisible

–       BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Hilary Hughes
The Last Witness

–       BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Edward Ames
The Last Witness

Tickets sales from NYCIFF benefit the New York International Film Festival’s Foundation for the Arts—established to provide scholarships and opportunities to aspiring filmmakers, directors, and performers around the world.

ABOUT NYCIFF

The New York City International Film Festival is curated by Founder Roberto Rizzo, Director of Programming, Caroline Ingeborg Johnson and President of the Jury, R. Couri Hay.  Twitter: @NYCIFF |Instagram: @NYCIFF | Facebook:  facebook.com/NYCIFF |Hashtag: #NYCIFF10

 

- A word from our sponsors -

spot_img

Most Popular

More from Author

Thejavasea.me Leaks AIO-TLP: What It Is, Why It Matters, and What You Should Know

In the increasingly complex landscape of digital data breaches and cyber...

Bill Belichick Net Worth: The Wealth of an NFL Coaching Legend

Bill Belichick is one of the most iconic and successful coaches...

Jennifer Tilly Net Worth: A Look into the Actress and Poker Player’s Wealth

Jennifer Tilly is a multi-talented individual known for her unique voice,...

Unlocking Business Success with Pedrovazpaulo Business Consultant

In the ever-evolving landscape of entrepreneurship and corporate competition, businesses must...

- A word from our sponsors -

spot_img

Read Now

Thejavasea.me Leaks AIO-TLP: What It Is, Why It Matters, and What You Should Know

In the increasingly complex landscape of digital data breaches and cyber disclosures, one name that has surfaced with notable attention is thejavasea.me leaks AIO-TLP. This incident has sparked widespread discussion among cybersecurity enthusiasts, digital privacy advocates, and even casual internet users due to the nature of the...

Bill Belichick Net Worth: The Wealth of an NFL Coaching Legend

Bill Belichick is one of the most iconic and successful coaches in NFL history. Known for his strategic mind, stoic demeanor, and unmatched record with the New England Patriots, Belichick has cemented himself as a legendary figure in professional football. Over decades of leadership, his consistent success...

Jennifer Tilly Net Worth: A Look into the Actress and Poker Player’s Wealth

Jennifer Tilly is a multi-talented individual known for her unique voice, memorable acting roles, and surprising success as a professional poker player. Over the years, she has built a diverse career that has led to a considerable net worth. This article explores Jennifer Tilly’s net worth, how...

Unlocking Business Success with Pedrovazpaulo Business Consultant

In the ever-evolving landscape of entrepreneurship and corporate competition, businesses must consistently adapt, optimize, and innovate to maintain growth and profitability. Navigating such a dynamic environment requires more than just intuition—it demands expertise, strategic insight, and experience. This is precisely where a trusted advisor like pedrovazpaulo business...

Can Twins Cause a False Negative Pregnancy Test?

Have you taken a pregnancy test and gotten a negative result, but something still doesn’t feel right? Maybe you’re experiencing early pregnancy symptoms, or your period is late. Could twins be the reason the test didn’t detect the pregnancy? It’s a surprising idea, but yes, in rare cases,...

What Does the Purple Circle Mean on Snapchat? Here’s the Real Answer

Snapchat can be a whirlwind of cryptic symbols, mysterious emojis, and color-coded circles. If you’ve ever opened the app and spotted a purple circle around someone’s profile picture or name, you’re not alone in wondering what it actually means. Let’s break it down once and for all: What...

Phil Cofer Net Worth and Biography: From Hoops to Heartfelt Hustle

Phil Cofer’s story goes far beyond the basketball court. Once a promising NBA prospect with a powerful game, Cofer has since transitioned into an influential content creator, YouTuber, and motivational figure. With a career shaped by athleticism, personal tragedy, and a reinvention in the digital age, Phil...

Which Author Is Normally Responsible for Sharing Reprints of a Publication with Readers?

In academic and scientific publishing, one question frequently arises among researchers, students, and early-career scholars: which author is normally responsible for sharing reprints of a publication with readers? While the answer may seem straightforward, it involves understanding academic conventions, publication ethics, and evolving trends in digital sharing. This...

7 Signs a Woman Has Not Made Love for a Long Time (Backed by Psychology & Health Experts)

Physical intimacy is a deeply personal subject. For many women, periods of abstinence from sexual activity—whether due to choice, circumstances, or emotional recovery—can affect the body and mind in noticeable ways. While it's crucial not to jump to conclusions or judge anyone’s lifestyle, understanding the subtle signs...

Baltimore Orioles vs Tampa Bay Rays Match Player Stats & Luxury Breakdown (2025)

In the realm of high-performance sports, where data meets drama, the Baltimore Orioles vs Tampa Bay Rays rivalry has emerged as one of the most nuanced and stat-rich showdowns in Major League Baseball (MLB). But beyond the surface of box scores lies a compelling narrative—one where strategy,...

How Long Does It Take to Climb Mount Everest?

Climbing Mount Everest—the tallest mountain on Earth at 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet)—is more than a bucket-list adventure. It’s a test of endurance, patience, and altitude adaptation. But one of the most frequently asked questions remains: How long does it take to climb Mount Everest? 👉 Short answer: It typically...

Sent You a Snap vs Sent a Snap: What’s the Real Difference?

In today’s fast-paced world of digital messaging, how we communicate matters just as much as what we say. Snapchat, one of the leading platforms for visual messaging, thrives on short, spontaneous exchanges—often made in a blink and gone just as fast. But in that rush of Snaps,...