The Williamsburg International Film Festival (WILLiFEST) Gets Underway
New York, NY, July 20, 2010 --(PR.com)-- On March 1, 2010, Willifest Inc. announced the launch of WILLiFEST™, an arts festival established to provide a creative platform for today's emerging artists. The festival, which is slated for September 23-26, 2010, issued a call for entries to producers of films, screenplays and music to make submissions through the festival's website, WILLiFEST.com and partner portals Withoutabox.com and Sonicbids.com.
Then on May 24, 2010, WILLiFEST™ announced that Emmy Award-nominated actor and singer, Leon, will serve as host and spokesperson for the festival. Leon, best known on the big screen for his leading roles in "Cover" and "Cool Runnings" and on TV in Robert Townsend's series "Diary of a Single Mom", was nominated for an Emmy for his portrayal of Rock and Roll trailblazer "Little Richard" in the self-titled made-for-TV movie. Per Leon, "To have a film festival take place in Brooklyn is just going to be amazing. I can't wait for the first festival to happen, and the next one and the next one because it's going to get bigger every year."
On May 28, 2010, WILLiFEST™ spokesperson, Leon, was interviewed by WCBS-TV and Univision as part of their coverage of another Brooklyn institution, Coney Island's Luna Park. On hand with Leon was Coney Island Dancers’ founder Rican Vargas, who discussed their partnership with the festival. Also on hand, were Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz.
Leading up to the festival, there will be monthly events which will be attended by actors, producers, directors, media outlets and sponsors. The next event will take place on Thursday, June 17, 2010 at the Empire Hotel Rooftop Bar. SPiN NYC, the Flatiron District table tennis social club co-owned by actress Susan Sarandon, will roll out the dazzling emerald "green carpet" for a star-studded news conference and party on August 24, 2010 where the films and bands participating in WILLiFEST™ will be announced.
The festival is under the direction of an award-winning independent film team led by WILLiFEST™ founder Michael Helman, a veteran producer, director and technologist. As stated by Helman, "the festival will give artists in all disciplines the opportunity to enhance their careers by exposing their film and music to a powerful audience, gaining crucial media exposure and strengthening industry relationships. The festival will also incorporate an educational component by partnering with leading New York City film programs and offering panels and lectures by industry professionals."
Sponsorship, exhibitor opportunities and media partnerships are available. Among the already extensive list of sponsors are Hot 97, WRXP 101.9, Spin NYC, ProductionHUB.com, MovieMaker Magazine, Coney Island Dancers and Knitting Factory Entertainment. A complete list of sponsors can be found at www.willifest.com/sponsors.
For details on these opportunities, specific event schedules, featured artists and other information, visit www.willifest.com or contact Michael Helman at (212) 744-2845 or inquiries@willifest.com. For media inquiries, contact Stacey Bethel, Triple 7 Entertainment LLC at 201.981.6960 or media@willifest.com.
WILLiFEST™ and Williamsburg International Film Festival are trademarks of Willifest Holdings, LLC. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.
###
Then on May 24, 2010, WILLiFEST™ announced that Emmy Award-nominated actor and singer, Leon, will serve as host and spokesperson for the festival. Leon, best known on the big screen for his leading roles in "Cover" and "Cool Runnings" and on TV in Robert Townsend's series "Diary of a Single Mom", was nominated for an Emmy for his portrayal of Rock and Roll trailblazer "Little Richard" in the self-titled made-for-TV movie. Per Leon, "To have a film festival take place in Brooklyn is just going to be amazing. I can't wait for the first festival to happen, and the next one and the next one because it's going to get bigger every year."
On May 28, 2010, WILLiFEST™ spokesperson, Leon, was interviewed by WCBS-TV and Univision as part of their coverage of another Brooklyn institution, Coney Island's Luna Park. On hand with Leon was Coney Island Dancers’ founder Rican Vargas, who discussed their partnership with the festival. Also on hand, were Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz.
Leading up to the festival, there will be monthly events which will be attended by actors, producers, directors, media outlets and sponsors. The next event will take place on Thursday, June 17, 2010 at the Empire Hotel Rooftop Bar. SPiN NYC, the Flatiron District table tennis social club co-owned by actress Susan Sarandon, will roll out the dazzling emerald "green carpet" for a star-studded news conference and party on August 24, 2010 where the films and bands participating in WILLiFEST™ will be announced.
The festival is under the direction of an award-winning independent film team led by WILLiFEST™ founder Michael Helman, a veteran producer, director and technologist. As stated by Helman, "the festival will give artists in all disciplines the opportunity to enhance their careers by exposing their film and music to a powerful audience, gaining crucial media exposure and strengthening industry relationships. The festival will also incorporate an educational component by partnering with leading New York City film programs and offering panels and lectures by industry professionals."
Sponsorship, exhibitor opportunities and media partnerships are available. Among the already extensive list of sponsors are Hot 97, WRXP 101.9, Spin NYC, ProductionHUB.com, MovieMaker Magazine, Coney Island Dancers and Knitting Factory Entertainment. A complete list of sponsors can be found at www.willifest.com/sponsors.
For details on these opportunities, specific event schedules, featured artists and other information, visit www.willifest.com or contact Michael Helman at (212) 744-2845 or inquiries@willifest.com. For media inquiries, contact Stacey Bethel, Triple 7 Entertainment LLC at 201.981.6960 or media@willifest.com.
WILLiFEST™ and Williamsburg International Film Festival are trademarks of Willifest Holdings, LLC. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.
###
Contact
WILLIFEST INC.
Michael Helman
212.744.2845
www.willifest.com
Michael Helman
212.744.2845
www.willifest.com
Contact
Categories