2011 Downbeach Film Festival Presents Atlantic City Cinefest Award Winners

2011 AWARD WINNERS

Best Drama, Short 15 minutes or less:
The Secret Friend

Best Drama, Short 15 minutes or more:
Stuffed

Best Comedy, Short 15 minutes or less:
BIdentity Crisis 1st

Best Comedy, Short 15 minutes or more:
Never Has Beenz

Best Drama, Feature:
Johnny's Gone

Best Comedy, Feature:
Stuck in the Middle

Best Animation:
Bike's Eyes

Best Actor, Short:
Keith Collins: BIdentity Crisis

Best Actress, Short:
Karen Landry, After the Denim

Best Actor, Comedy Feature:
Stephen Fontana, Stuck in the Middle

Best Actor, Drama Feature:
Rick Borgia, Twists of Fate

Best Actress, Comedy Feature:
Penelope Lagos, Stuck in the Middle

Best Actress, Drama Feature:
LaDon Drummond, Johnny's Gone

Best Director, Short:
Benjamin Busch, Bright

Best Director, Feature:
Jack Skyyler, Joel Brook, Hitting the Wall
Giorgio Serafini, Johnny's Gone

Best Ultra-Short:
Oh Sister

Best Director, Ultra Short:
Ryan Lelache, Memorial

Best Documentary, Short:
Fallen Blue Heroes

Best Documentary, Feature:
Deconstructing Dad

Best Writer, Short:
David Rutter, Mea Culpa

Best Writer, Comedy Feature:
Mark Poisella, Kirk Cunningham, Dynamite Swine

Best Writer, Drama Feature:
Giorgio Serafini, LaDon Drummond, Johnny's Gone

Best Director, Documentary:
Scott Rosenfelt

Best of Fest, Feature:
The Fifth Door

Best of Fest, Short:
Bright

Best of Fest, Documentary:
Fallen Blue Heroes

Best Student Film:
Memorial

Best New Jersey-based Short:
Camp 139

Best New Jersey-based Feature:
The Fifth Door

Best New Jersey-based Documentary:
Fallen Blue Heroes

New Director Award:
Jack Skyyler, Joel Brook

BIDENTITY CRISIS BRINGS HOME THE GOLD

The Downbeach Film Festival presented Atlantic City Cinefest from October 14 to October 16, 2011. Continuing the tradition for the fourth year, this year Resorts Casino Hotel hosted the screening of the thirty plus shorts, features, and documentaries. This years Lifesaver Award was presented to success Scott Rosenfelt, who is most know for his production on hits such as Home Alone and Mystic Pizza. This festival has acclaimed itself on celebrating the art of film and giving independents a place to exhibit their work. Standing alongside such names in industry, Mattioli Productions in association with Dreamcatcher Entertainment is proud to announce it's nominations and winnings in the 2011 year for the short comedy, BIdentity Crisis.

With its tag line, "sexuality is like a light switch," BIdentity Crisis follows Phillip (Edvin Ortega) in his struggle to defend his bi-sexuality. His girlfriend, Helen (Elissa Goldstein), is not thoroughly convinced that his light-switch is "on" women as he claims, demonstrated through Phillip's flirtation with the flamboyant waiter, Jaime (Keith Collins). Outstanding other recent work including The Great Fight and Curiosity Killed The Cat, this particular performance earned Goldstein a nomination for Best Actress at the festival. Collin's performance, according to Time Square Gossip, is recognized as "unforgettable, laugh out load and outrageously funny." Holding previous nominations&wins for other films such as A Fight for Survival, he can add this years Downbeach win to his collection for Best Actor.

Nominated for Best Director, Jana Mattioli hopes that this will bring a light heart after her recent dramatic feature release of An Affirmative Act. From the courtroom drama of a married lesbian couples' arrest for fraudulent activity to adopt a child, BiDentity Crisis shifts to take the heat off and lightens the mood as it tells a story of coming out of the closet…"sort of."

Bachelorette DeAnna Pappas Marries Stephen Stagliano

Former Bachelorette DeAnna Pappas is officially off the market. Pappas tied the knot with Stephen Stagliano on Saturday in Georgia. The happy couple met in 2009 at The Bachelorette:The Men Tell All special.

Paranormal Activity 3 Makes Records At The Box Office

With a budget of only $5 million, Paranormal Activity 3 rocked the box office in the biggest horror opening of all time this weekend, grossing an estimated $54 million.

1986 New York Mets Championship Season 25th Anniversary

Darryl Strawberry, Davey Johnson, Howard Johnson, Kevin Mitchell, Rafael Santana, Ray Knight, Bruce Berenyi, Ed Lynch, Dave Magadan, Rick Aguilera, Mookie Wilson and Keith Hernandez were among the few Mets Greats who were on hand to attend the 1986 New York Mets Championship Season 25th Anniversary Celebration at Strawberry's Sports Grill in New York City.

RIhanna and Chris Brown Nominated In Same Category

RIhanna and Chris Brown are nominated for the same category at the 2011 Soul Train Awards. They are competing for 'Best Dance Performance' award. RIhanna for 'Only Girl in the World'/'What's My Name' and Brown for 'She Ain't You'.

The 2011 World Series Brings In The Ratings

The first two games of this year’s World Series attracted about the same number of viewers that the first two games of last year’s did, about 13 million. Each night the world series was number one in ratings only for a single half hour being edged out by ABC’s Modern Family & on Thursday by The Big Bang Theory on CBS.

Paranormal Activity 3 Rakes In $8 Million From Midnight Showings

Paranormal Activity 3 cost $5 million when the first film cost $11,000. And reports show that it brought in $8 million from midnight screenings, nearly $2 million more than the second film in the franchise did last year, and way more than the first.

"STUCK IN THE MIDDLE" TAKES HOME THE GOLD

Independent Film Stuck in the Middle walked away with three coveted awards at the 2011 Downbeach Film Festival Atlantic City Cinefest closing ceremony in the Foundation Room at Showboat Casino Atlantic City, NJ.

Stuck in the Middle won the award for best Comedy Feature Film while Stephen Fontana won Best Actor and Penelope Lagos took home Best Actress Award
The film was nominated for six awards overall including ones for directing, writing and a second best actress in a feature Jeanette Roxborough.

Stuck in the Middle was written by the brother team of Joseph and Billy Pepitone and directed by Joseph Pepitone and Carlos Duhaime. It was produced by Jeff Quinlan, John Summa and Carolynne Kish and stars Stephen Fontana, Penelope Lagos, Keith Collins, Jeanette Roxborough, Eric Etebari, Cash Tilton and Jack Mulcahy.

“Amy, My Daughter”

Amy Winehouse's father is inking a book deal. Mitch Winehouse has agreed to publisher HarperCollins to terms in the U.S. and Britain for the release of "Amy, My Daughter" which is said to be released in the summer of 2012.

America Ferrera Off To London

Ugly betty star America Ferrera has been confirmed for an eight-week run in Chicago at London's West End. Ferrera will play Roxie Hart in the musical starting November 7th. Others who also have took on the London edition include; Jennifer Ellison, Denise Van Outen & Michelle Williams.

Armand Assante Bankrupt?

Actor Armand Assante, has gone to bankruptcy court—Assante, a born-and-raised New Yorker and nominated for several Golden Globe awards, recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Poughkeepsie, NY.

Roseanne Barr Back To TV

Roseanne Barr is getting back to the sitcom circuit. Barr who’s short leashed reality series "Roseanne's Nuts” that was canceled after one season she has now landed a new sitcom at NBC titled "Downwardly Mobile.”

Nearly 2,000 Employees to be laid off by the BBC

Forced by government mandate to make drastic cuts, the publicly supported BBC announced that it will lay off nearly 2,000 employees, produce fewer entertainment TV shows, restrict its expendure on sports rights and apply numerous cutbacks to its radio operations. The cuts are expected to result in a savings of nearly $1 billion a year by 2017.

David Arquette's New Flame

A David Arquette has moved on with Joe Francis ' ex and Entertainment Tonight " reporter Christina McLarty. Arquette publicly opened up about his relationship while calling into the howard stern show. McLarty has been previously married to Girls Gone Wild’s Joe Francis for only two months.

October 14th - 16th 2011 Downbeach Film Festival Presents Atlantic City Cinefest

Scott Rosenfelt

Joe Piscopo

This weekend, Downbeach Film Festival will present its 4th annual festival, the 2011 Atlantic City Cinefest. For three days, the fest will screen more than independent shorts, features and documentaries in The Screening Room at Resorts Casino Hotel and for the first time, at the Carnegie Center.
The festival will honor Hollywood producer-director, Scott Rosenfelt, known for Home Alone, Mystic Pizza and Teen Wolf, and Saturday Night Live alum, comedic actor and musician, Joe Piscopo. Both will receive Lifesaver Awards for lifetime achievements.
Rosenfelt will also screen his powerful documentary, Standing Silent, on Saturday night. A Sundance Documentary Filmmaker Grant recipient, the film exposes the issue of child sexual abuse among orthodox rabbis in Baltimore. Standing Silent is one of several documentaries on tap.
Deconstructing Dad opens the festival Friday night. The feature-length film traces the life of iconic musician, Raymond Scott, who produced the music for Warner Brother’s classic cartoons, directed the orchestra for TV’s “our Hit Parade, and developed the use of technology in music. The documentary short, Fallen Blue Heroes, pays homage to the police throughout New Jersey and beyond. The film plays Saturday afternoon at Resorts.
Piscopo’s appearance at Resorts is timed with the 25th Anniversary screening of Wise Guys, which was filmed in part at Resorts.
Previous festival Chameleon award-winner, Chris Mulkey, returns with his short, Never Has Beenz. Award winner, Keith Collins, stars in two films in the festival, the feature comedy, Stuck in the Middle and the short comedy, BIdentity Crisis. The short, The Tailor, weaves a comedic turn in religious beliefs.
Filmmakers will celebrate the opening night after party on the Living Room at the Chelsea Hotel and at the awards reception in The Foundation Room at the House of Blues in Showboat.
Visit downbeachfilmfestival.org for details, times, locations and ticket prices.

Hysterical "Coffee and a Bite" Films

(photo-filmmaker Jana Mattioli on the set of "Coffee and a Bite")

After a great day of shooting for upcoming film “Coffee and a Bite,” we met up with director Jana Mattioli, famous for her many fantastic contributions to the LGBT film industry. Her directorial repertoire ranges from drama to comedy and everything in between, but she admits that an LGBT film about vampires is “a first” for her. She tells us that “it’s going to be great” and gives her praises to the talented cast and crew working on the hilarious film "Coffee and a Bite." With all the hits she’s created in the past, we have no doubt that “Coffee and a Bite” is going to be terrific!

“Coffee and a Bite,” written by the brilliant Kelly Feustel, is both the unique story of learning to be true to oneself and a clever exploration of the vampire subculture with just a bit of camp thrown in that is sure to keep audiences laughing.

As one of The Advocate’s “Forty People Under 40 To Look Out For” in the May 2011 issue, Jana Mattioli (An Affirmative Act, BIdentity Crisis) is both an acclaimed and talented director and a prominent LGBT community activist. Mattioli is the name to watch for in the independent film scene! Her recent celebrated feature “An Affirmative Act” debuted in theaters across the nation this past April and will be soon be released for sale on Amazon.com on October 11th 2011. As the director of “Coffee and a Bite,” it’s sure to be both hilarious and fantastic!

On this day at the cup, three unusual regulars come by for a “bite.” There’s the classy but homophobic, Transylvanian-wannabe Vlad (Clifton Lewis), the handsome, bisexual Jonathan (Thomas Leverton), and the sultry but conflicted Lydia (Rachel Filsoof). Also at The Cup on a date are Josh (Bobby Walker), the good-looking gay professional, and Phillip (Edvin Ortega; BIdentity Crisis), the flirtatious bisexual whose last date at The Cup ended hilariously disastrous. And then there are all the other patrons, trying to avoid the sickeningly lovey-dovey couple and the odd blood-sucking trio.

As the boys’ date goes from cavity-inducing sweet to deliciously, side-splittingly dramatic, the vampires enter a long discussion over what makes a “perfect” vampire. Vlad and Jonathan enter into a heated debate about sexual orientation and, as the verbal brawl goes on, it becomes clear that Lydia is struggling with her lesbian feelings for the one that got away: Andrea, the spunky Cup Coffeehouse waitress played by Danielle Erin Rhodes. Returning to the Cup to complete this five star cast are Keith Collins (Stuck in the Middle; BIdentity Crisis) as Jamie, the sassy gay waiter, and Steve Wolf as Chase, the slimy straight guy determined to pick up a lesbian.

Will Chase succeed at this endeavor? Will Lydia and Andrea be able to pick up where they left off? And was Josh and Phillip’s date doomed from the start? With such a motley group of people at the Cup, who can really say? All we can say is that “Coffee and a Bite” is going to be a hit!
This film is produced by Mattioli Productions in association with Dreamcatcher Entertainment. Executive Producers: Robert and Joyce Borneman, Greg Jackson, and Steve Wolf.For more info log onto;
www.coffeeandabite.com

Roger Williams Passes

Pianist Roger Williams has recently passed from pancreatic cancer. Williams, best known for hit songs "Autumn Leaves", "Born Free" and "Lara's Theme from Dr. Zhivago." Williams was 87.

NBC 'Parenthood' Extended

NBC ordered two additional episodes of their hit show Parenthood which stars Peter Krause, Monica Potter and Lauren Graham. Which now makes the episode count 18 for the season.

Danny McBride is A Father

Actor Danny McBride has become a first-time father to a baby boy. The Pineapple Express star McBride, wife Gia Ruiz gave birth to Declan George McBride in Los Angeles.

Jack Osbourne Engaged!

Jack Osbourne has popped the question to his actress girlfriend Lisa Stelly. Son of the famous Ozzy Osbourne is now off the market and an engaged man.

Steve Jobs Passes

Steve Jobs the genious behind Apple who put the Mac, iPod, iPhone and iPad for millions has recently passed. Jobs, had battled pancreatic cancer since 2004. Jobs was 56.

MOVIE SPOTLIGHT - "COFFEE AND A BITE"

How long can you live a lie before you forget who you really are?
When 3 troubled individuals living as "vampires" enter The Cup, there's more to them than their Gothic lifestyle. Jonathan, Lydia, and Vlad aren't typical guests of The Cup. They have been living as "vampires," even stalking their own victims. When Jonathan approaches a man Lydia is warming up to, Vlad is appalled not only that Jonathan would steal Lydia's "food," but that he would pursue another man!
Even though everyone in The Cup seems to avoid the “vampires,” waitress Andrea goes an extra mile out of her way to evade the table. Leaving only Jamie to serve them, he must endure fake foreign accents, corny jokes, and becomes the subject of a bet leading to mistaken identities of the most awkward kind!
When the “vampires” decide to analyze the characteristics of the “perfect” vampire, an argument quickly ensues between homophobic Vlad and bisexual-enthusiast Jonathan. While Lydia is caught in the middle, she struggles not only with her opinion of the issue but her view on sexuality in general. A story of friendship, prejudice, and self-discovery, "Coffee and a Bite" will leave you wanting seconds! A sexy and comical tale about coming out of the "coffin." "Coffee and a Bite" Directed by Jana Mattioli written by Kelly Feustel starring Clifton Lewis, Thomas Leverton, Rachel Filsoof, Keith Collins, Bobby Walker, Danielle Erin Rhodes, Steve Wolf and Edvin Ortega. Produced by Mattioli Productions in association with Dreamcatcher Entertainment. Executive Producers: Robert and Joyce Borneman, Greg Jackson, and Steve Wolf. Coffee and a Bite, Look for it out this winter 2011.

Great Design for a Greater Cause

Sucaro’s Freedom Strap-- now available at Paragon Sports-- contributes to Women’s Health Initiative in Africa
A philanthropic cause and a well thought-out design go hand-in-hand. Giving back to the community is just as important as practically and beauty of a handbag. Sucaro’s handbag designer Susan Bellinson understands that.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to help out others with my Freedom Strap designs,” said Bellinson, who is also a certified nurse-midwife at Montefiore Hospital. “It adds value to my work.”
Bellinson helps strengthening and improving the quality of life for women across the globe by donating to the Rwanda Women's Health Initiative, supported by the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology of Montefiore Hospital.
“I try to give my patients the best care I can provide them,” Bellinson said. “For me, it’s heartbreaking to know that there are women in Africa who don’t have the same treatment.”
Sucaro also donates a portion of the profits from Freedom Strap to Seeds of Peace, an organization dedicated to empowering young leaders from regions of conflict with the leadership skills. Bellinson is hoping to raise awareness for Seeds of Peace, as Sucaro's debut collection Freedom Strap is now at Paragon Sports in Union Square.
"I am so pleased to feature my debut collection at Paragon," Bellinson said. "The Freedom Straps are fun, versatile, innovative, comfortable and secure -- perfect for someone with an active life style like many New Yorkers. I hope everyone can pitch in to the causes that Freedom Strap represents."
In a perfect combination of practically and design, Freedom Straps allow you to carry your most important belongings hands-free.
“I really like the bags,” said Jim Laros, the buyer for Paragon Sports. “It’s hip and urban.”
A patented design, Freedom Straps can be found in many different colors and are made of soft leathers, durable nylon and rugged canvas.
"There is really no other bag that can be worn seven different ways on the body by so many different kinds of men, women and kids,” Bellinson said. “It is a bag that has a multitude of niches.”
Bellinson looks forward to developing more solutions in the accessory world, and expanding the philanthropic side of the business. For more information, check out www.sucaro.com.

25th Anniversary Of "Wise Guys"

Downbeach Film Festival's Atlantic City Cinefest will host a 25th Anniversary screening of Wise Guys in The Screening Room at Resorts Atlantic City on October 16. The film, shot in part at Resorts, will close the three-day festival. Co-star, Joe Piscopo, will introduce the film and hold a Q & A afterwards. The annual awards ceremony follows the showing of the film, also in The Screening Room.

In Wise Guys, Piscopo plays Moe Dickstein, an errand boy for the mob. His partner is Harry Valentini, played by Danny DeVito. When they lose $250,000, they are set up to kill each other. But instead, they run off to Atlantic City and comedy follows. Brian De Palma, more aligned with crime dramas like Dressed to Kill and Scarface, directed the film based on a script by George Gallo. Harvey Keitel, Dan Hedaya and Patti LuPone also co-star.

Movie critic Roger Ebert wrote, "Wise Guys is an abundant movie, filled with ideas and gags and great characters. It never runs dry. It never has the desperation of so many gangster comedies, which seem to be marching over the same tired ground. This movie was made with joy, and you can feel it in the sense of all the actors working at the top of their form."

A Jersey native, Piscopo, has had a long career, not just in movies like Wise Guys and Johnny Dangerously, but as a cast member with Saturday Night Live during the first half of the 1980s. He’s also done dramatic turns in series like Law & Order. Piscopo, who also runs Club Piscopo at Resorts, will receive an award for his work.

Mike Myers Welcomes Baby Boy!

Austin Powers star Mike Myers and his wife, Kelly Tisdale, just welcomed their first child a baby boy! Congrats to the funny man and his lovely wife.

Scott Rosenfelt To Receive Lifesaver Award

Downbeach Film Festival presents the 2011 Atlantic City Cinefest, October 14 to 16 in The Screening Room at Resorts Casino Hotel. As in the prior three years, the festival will screen a selection of more than 30 features, shorts and documentaries, as well as honor cinematic success stories, such as Scott Rosenfelt, who will receive the Lifesaver Award Saturday night.

Rosenfelt has produced such Hollywood hits as Home Alone, Mystic Pizza, Teen Wolf and Smoke Signals. He will be honored with a retrospective following the screening of a documentary he produced and directed, Standing Silent. The powerful film, a recipient of a Sundance Documentary Filmmaker Grant, exposes the issue of child abuse among orthodox rabbis in Baltimore. “Making this film has changed the way I look at the world and the work that I do,” says Rosenfelt. “I believe this kind of film is what a documentary should really be – illuminating a relatively unheard of subject, exposing it, and giving people hope that while they won’t get over what happened, they can at least feel a little bit less despair.”

A narrative filmmaker, Rosenfelt hadn’t considered a documentary until he met Phil Jacobs, a Baltimore journalist who led a crusade to tell the stories of survivors of sexual molestation at the hands of Orthodox rabbis.

“I met Phil through my brother, Bob. They are both Orthodox Jews, longtime residents in Baltimore and part of the community. What I didn't know was that Phil had been raped as a young boy by someone in his congregation. Phil then introduced me to a survivor that he was doing a story on. I met this man, shook his hand, and felt years of pain, loss, anger...every negative emotion. After he left, I turned to Phil and said, `I don't know how, but I'm going to get the funding and we're going to do a documentary about your work and the survivors' stories.' “

Among the other highlights of this year’s festival is the opening night screening of Deconstructing Dad, another documentary on the life of iconic musician, Raymond Scott, who produced the music for Warner Brother’s classic cartoons, directed the orchestra for TV’s “Your Hit Parade,” and developed the use of technology in music. The festival will close with the 25th Anniversary screening of “Wise Guys” with co-star Joe Piscopo doing a Q & A.

If you would like to schedule an interview with Mr. Rosenfelt, please contact William Sokolic. Log onto www.downbeachfilmfestival.org for festival updates, including a complete list of films, the schedule and ticket prices.

RELIGIOUS SLACKER FILM RESTORES FAITH IN INDIE MOVIES!

(Stuck in the Middle cast - Fontana,Lagos,Collins,Etebari,Roxborough,Mulcahy & Tilton)

When I walked into the Tribeca Grand Hotel to see the premiere of the new independent film, Stuck in the Middle, I did not know what to expect. I had not heard about the low budget film and was unfamiliar with most of the cast and the team that made the film. After the screening, I now find myself wanting to know more about everyone and everything involved in this four star comedy!

Stuck in the Middle begins with one of the crudest, funniest conversations I have seen in a film in a long time between protagonist Michael Cheevers played by Stephen Fontana and his drinking buddy Pat (Carter Roy). This grabbed my attention immediately and I was hooked. Cheevers, a lazy, porn addicted, do-nothing winds up pleasuring himself to death and goes to Purgatory. A quick succession of meetings with a clerk, a little girl and a bulimic woman had the entire theater roaring and I knew I was in for a wild ride.

Enter, Jeanette Roxborough as an angry, bitter secretary with language you wouldn’t expect to hear in hell, much less Purgatory. Roxborough’s delivery seems effortless despite dropping obscenities throughout the film and she shines in this role. She leads Cheevers to St. Peter’s office. He has recently been demoted from the Pearly Gates and he isn’t too happy about it. Cash Tilton plays Peter and he is definitely one of the many highlights of this film.

Then the real story starts as Cheevers meets his office manager Brooke Lynn Monroe. The sexy Penelope Lagos lights up the screen and plays Fontana’s straight man to perfection (with some great one-liners of her own). Obviously Cheevers falls for her and the two become friends and partners in crime around the office. This does not sit well with real estate mogul and Jesus’ agent Todd Levy (Keith Collins). Collins revels in this role with his arrogant, smug grin and over the top outbursts. Playing the guy who is trying to pull one over on Jesus makes Todd Levy an instant classic indie bad guy. Eric Etebari plays Jesus, the privileged, Boss’ Son. This is the hippest Jesus ever portrayed on the screen with a cool and cocky attitude and a love of golf that is as absurd as it is funny. As a practicing Catholic I found myself feeling guilty as I laughed at how Etebari and the writers took Jesus to places even South Park hasn’t, but I couldn’t help myself. And look for the ultimate pose down between two of history’s biggest religious icons that caps the brilliant gym scene.

And that leads me to Leo Balmudo, an alcoholic, who may or may not be Ronald Reagan. Perfectly cast as Leo, Jack Mulcahy channels Reagan and is a scene-stealer in this movie. Whether he is quoting Reagan or stealing a drink, Mulcahy’s deadpan delivery and background expressions adds so much more to the film.

Stuck in the Middle is well acted, well written and looks surprisingly good for an ultra low budget film. The script is solid, well paced, and hilarious. Brothers Joseph and Billy Pepitone wrote a screenplay that really satirized mundane office life and the use of Purgatory as a background allowed them to go way outside the box and poke fun at religious stereotypes. This is one of the best independent films I have seen in years.

Stuck in the Middle was co-directed by Joseph Pepitone and Carlos Duhamie and it’s production team includes veteran Executive Producer Jeff Quinlan along with John Summa and Carolynne Kish. Duhaime also shot the film.