Coney Island Film Festival #10 Wrap

Bambi the Mermaid performs to the Andrew Sisters at the opening party for the Coney Island film festival.

Once again the opening films and following party was a smashingly entertaining affair that did not disappoint. Sideshows by the Seashore knows the meaning of entertainment. Burlesque, fire eaters, exotic snake handlers, human blockheads...now THAT's a party! You all better go next year!

The winners of the festival have been officially announced, and I am happy to say that I was lucky enough to see quite a few of them. Congratulations to all!

2010 Award Winners
Best Animation - Birth - Signe Baumane
Best Experimental - My Own Private March - Howie Alex
Best Silent Film - Loop-da-Loop and Giuseppe - Jason R. Jaworski
Best Horror Film - Alice Jacobs is Dead - Alex Horwitz
Best Music Video - "This Town" Gambit - Randy Scott Slavin
Best Documentary Short - The Faux Real - Suzanne Hillinger
Best Documentary Feature - Dirty Martini and the New Burlesque - Gary Beeber
Best Short - Flat Love - Andres Sanz
Best Feature - Satan Hates You - James Felix McKenney
Best "Made in Coney Island" - Last Summer at Coney Island - JL Aronson

Also! I just want to let you know that there is more burlesque happening this Thursday and Friday, and it's well worth the trip, they've got thee best in the business in that place!

Click here for the schedule and more details on that and many other events.

*******2009 Coney Island Film Festival******** October 2nd - 4th!

It's time again for one to THE BEST film festivals in one of the most unique locations in the United States, the Coney Island Film Festival! Now in it's ninth year, this years line up seems as fascinating as ever with opening night kicking off with a 28 minute short about side show performers called "Step Right Up" by Luke Marshall followed by documentary The "Prince Of Mermaid Avenue" by Coney Island historian, Charles Denson. "The Prince of Mermaid Avenue"The story of Jimmy Prince, owner of Major Meats on Mermaid Avenue, who retired after a sixty-year run as an anchor of the community.

These are followed by the always entertaining and WILD opening night party, where sideshow and burlesque performers hobnob with the film crowd. 25 bucks gets you a ticket to the films AND the party which includes an open bar.

Shorts! Docs! Features! This festival has it all! Get your tickets NOW as program #6 has ALREADY SOLD OUT! Also! Do not miss the screening of the WARRIORS on their home turf!!!

Click here for the complete schedule.

Coney Island Film Festival Next Weekend!

The 8th Annual Coney Island Film Festival is happening next weekend (weekend of the 26-28th) opening with some sideshow related documentaries, "Down the Hatch" and "Sideshow is Still Alive". I highly recommend taking the trip out to there to experience this unique event. As usual tons of films, shorts and docs of all genres. After the premier you MUST attend the always fantastic opening party. This year it is at the recently finished Freak Bar at Coney Island U.S.A. I attended last year (in the museum) and had a most excellent time and at 25 bucks it’s the bargain of the century as it includes drinks, live burlesque and sideshow performers! Hosted ny the Great Fredini! The whole sha- bang is worth every penny, so go!

A portion of the press release:

8th Annual Coney Island Film Festival announces lineup. One hundred twenty five films plus special events.

Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY, September 15, 2008 -- The 8th annual installment of the Coney Island Film Festival hits the shores of Coney Island from Friday, September 26th through Sunday, September 28th. This year's festival features one hundred twenty five films from around the world; a stunning array of high and low-brow fare, as diverse as the neighborhood it represents. Subjects range from the profound to the profane, showcasing the independent spirit and irreverent nature of the one and only Coney Island.

This year’s centerpiece film is Peter LiPera’s, Save Coney Island. Working with a small crew for over a year, director/cinematographer Peter LiPera paints an intimate portrait of Coney Island’s first annual last season. SAVE CONEY ISLAND shows a group of boardwalk friends’ journey over the course of a year as they try to preserve what they can within the ever-changing, ever-fading, atmosphere of Coney Island.

Click here for full schedule and film descriptions.

Click here to read and see F.I.B's coverage of last years festival.