3rd Annual Gold Coast International Film Festival on Long Island Oct 21-27 Showcases Comedy

Gold Coast International Film Festival Ex Dir Regina Gil, flanked by Fred Carpenter, director, Send No Flowers; Jeffrey Gurian, GCIFF head of live comedy programming; Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin; North Hempstead Councilwoman Lee Seeman; North Hempstead Supervisor John Riordan, Jackie ‘the Jokeman’ Martling from the Howard Stern show; Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, announces the lineup for the third annual festival to be held at venues throughout North Hempstead Oct. 21-27 © 2013 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Now in its third year, the Gold Coast International Film Festival, taking place Oct 21-27, 2013 throughout the town of North Hempstead, will turn Long Island into “Laugh Island” and spotlight Comedy with a program of films and events loaded with legendary comedians, writers and actors.

The theme carries over to this year’s opening night annual Benefit Gala honoree, Susie Essman, “the hysterically inappropriate” star of HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” who will be the recipient of the Artist of Distinction, Gold Coast International Film Festival Executive Director Regina Gil said during the press announcement of the festival line-up.

Susie Essman is featured in one of the festival films, “The Business of Comedy,” a documentary co-produced by comedian Jeffrey Gurian about what it’s like to make a living in comedy. It also stars Robert Klein, George Wallace, Tom Dreesen, Shecky Greene, Judy Carter, and comedy club owners Budd Friedman, Rick Newman, Richie Tienken and LA Comedy Store manager Tommy Morrie. The screening is followed by one of the free events offered during the festival, a Q&A with Jeffrey Gurian, Richie Tienken, Gary Licker and Scott Sobel and a signing with Gurian for his new book, “Make ‘Em Laugh.” (Soundview Cinema, Port Washington, Sat. Oct 26, at 5 pm).

This “Laugh Island” theme is also represented by the screening of “Comedy Warriors: Healing Through Humor”, a documentary that features five severely wounded Iraq/Afghanistan veterans who are given the opportunity to explore their experiences through the healing power of humor as they work with professional comedy writers and A-List comedias including Zach Galifianakis, Lewis Black, Bob Saget and BJ. Novak, who help them write and perform stand-up comedy routines. The screening features a Q&A with Joe Kashow and Bobby Henline, two of the Comedy Warriors featured in the film.

A live event, “Set List! Stand-Up Without a Net,” is a chance to see top comedians taking on bizarre, outrageous and ridiculous topics as the audience follows along on the screen behind the performer. The show is created by Paul (The Aristocrats) Provenza and his partner Troy Conrad. is being presented Friday, Oct 25, 8 pm at the Gold Coast Arts Center (formerly known as the Great Neck Arts Center).

The most remarkable aspect of the GCIFF – aside from being able to see top-quality films before they are in wide distribution and in our own neighborhood – is the opportunity that most of them afford to hear from principles associated with the film – directors, producers, screenwriters, actors.

Famed actor Paul Sorvino is coming in from Los Angeles to be on hand for a Q&A following the screening of his new film, “How Sweet it Is,” a musical comedy he stars in with Joe Piscopo. Sorvino plays an alcoholic theater owner needs to put together a successful musical in order to pay off his mob debt, but problems arise when the wise guys want to cast their friends in the production (Tuesday 10/22, 7:30pm, Soundview)

Special Events, Panels, Workshops

One of the most wonderful aspects of the Gold Coast International Film Festival are the events, panels and workshops (many free) which bring together major film makers and creative experts.

A major event, which is free,” A Conversation with Jay McInerney,” features the renowned writer of “Bright Lights, Big City,” in an intimate onstage discussion looking ack at the making of the film version of his novel (Sat. Oct. 26, 1:30 pm at Port Washington Library).

“A Star is Born: A Prudent Parent’s guide to Getting Your Kid in Show Business” is likely to be hugely popular. This free event let’s you spend an afternoon with the legendary entertainment attorney Steven Beer (he helped launch Britney Spears) and Broadway Star and Long Island native Nikki Blonsky of “Hairspray” fame (Sun, Oct 27, noon, at the Gold Coast Arts Center).

Another important panel is being presented in conjunction with a life-affirming film, “The Genius of Marian,” which follows the filmmaker’s mother who at age 61 is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s, and follows her as she works on a book celebrating the life of her own mother, artist Marian Steele. A panel that follows the film features filmmaker Luke White and North Shore-LIJ Health System experts who specialize in Geriatrics, Behavioral Health and Alzheimer’s research. The program is sponsored by NSLIJ’s Katz Institute for Women’s Health (Mon, Oct. 21, 6:30 pm at the Soundview, Port Washington).

A program that will be of particular interest: Ambassador Yehuda Avner will answer questions and sign his best-selling book after the Long Island premiere of “The Prime Ministers,” a documentary based on his book which explores six decades of Israel’s history and brings to life never-before told stories about Levi Eshkol, Golda Meir, Yitzhak Rabin, Menachem Begin and Shimon Peres .A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit The Simon Wiesenthal Center (Sun, Oct 27, 4 pm, Bowtie Great Neck Cinema).

Another that is certainly to generate interest is “Dancing in Jaffa,” an inspiring documentary about how famed ballroom dancer Pierre Dulaine teaches ballroom dance to pairs of 11-year old Palestinian Israelis and Jews, changing their perspective, will feature an opportunity to talk with Dulaine (Sun. Oct 27, 1 pm, Bow Tie Great Neck).

The festival features more than 50 films which are selected from hundreds that are screened by the curators (in other festivals, the filmmakers pay an entrance fee to be included).

The Gold Coast International Film Festival has been drawing filmgoers from all over Long Island and from Manhattan (most of the movie theaters and venues are within walking distance of the Long Island Railroad Stations in Great Neck, Manhasset and Port Washington).

Tickets can be purchased in individual segments (12 general; $10/seniors and students, visit goldcoastfilmfestival.org or call 516-829-2570 for special event pricing).

Passes include the VIP All Access Pass, $275, which provides access to all screenings, panels, parties and special events (excluding the Opening Night Benefit Gala); and a 6-PackFlex Pass, $60, which gives you six film tickets for the price of five, which can be used in any combination.

For festival information and to order tickets, visit www.goldcoastfilmfestival.org, 516-829-2570.

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Tags: festivals, film festival, film festivals, Gold Coast International Film Festival, Long Island film festival, North Hempstead film festival