A community college sponsored by Niagara County
April 26, 2023
The SUNY Niagara Film & Animation Festival will take place on Saturday, May 6 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the college’s Sanborn campus, 3111 Saunders Settlement Road. The event features film and animation screenings, workshops, music, movie trivia contests, exhibits, food and refreshments. Admission to the festival is free and open to the public.
The annual event brings together filmmakers, animators, actors, and enthusiasts from across Western New York and beyond. Guests will experience continuous screenings of finalists’ films, displays, exhibits, workshops, and more. This year’s keynote speaker is Gregory Lambersome, director of nine feature films, author of 15 published books, and co-founder of the Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival.
In addition, the College will honor Chris Cosgrave of Cheektowaga, NY, recipient of the 2023 WNY Filmmaker of the Year award. Cosgrave directed, co-wrote, edited, acted, and coordinated stunts and special effects for the film, which won the award for best drama at the inaugural SUNY Niagara film festival in 1998, and first prize in the Videomaker Magazine/Panasonic filmmaking contest. Since then, he’s racked up credits for his visual effects work on such films as Gave Up the Ghost, Sepulcher, Dick Johnson and Tommygun vs. the Cannibal Cop, Killer Rack, The Mongolian Connection, Guns of Eden, and Widow’s Point.
Free workshops will take place throughout the day. Actor David Autovino will teach voice-over techniques for film & video from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. in room E-107. He’ll provide a crash course for artists interested in voice over, either as a performer or as a content producer.
Improv acting and auditions will be taught by Bob Bozek, a graduate the prominent Second City Conservatory Program and the Upright Citizens Brigade. Bob will teach participants about improve games, techniques, connections, character development, and callbacks. Participants will have the chance to film a scene using these techniques. Bob’s workshop will run from 12 – 1 p.m. in room E-106.
Maria Friend, professional special FX makeup artist will host a shop about the design that goes into creating zombies, monsters, aliens, and other diabolical creatures for the big screen. Her lesson, “Special Effects Make-Up: Dark Fantasy, Gore & More” will run from 1-2 p.m. in room E-107.
Film industry veteran, Jay Vinitsky, will present “Making it in the Film Industry” from 2-3 p.m. in E-106. As Vice President of Post Production for New Line Cinema, Jay spent thousands of hours in editing rooms, theaters, mixing stages, and color timing sessions working with directors, editors, cinematographers, and supervising sound editors. His movie credits include: Elf, Final Destination, Hairspray, Horrible Bosses, Snakes on a Plane, Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny, Keanu, Sex & The City, and Wedding Crashers.
For more information or to register for free workshops, visit: niagaracc.suny.edu/ncccfilmfestival.
The SUNY Niagara Film & Animation Festival will take place on Saturday, May 6 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the college’s Sanborn campus, 3111 Saunders Settlement Road. The event features film and animation screenings, workshops, music, movie trivia contests, exhibits, food and refreshments. Admission to the festival is free and open to the public.
The annual event brings together filmmakers, animators, actors, and enthusiasts from across Western New York and beyond. Guests will experience continuous screenings of finalists’ films, displays, exhibits, workshops, and more. This year’s keynote speaker is Gregory Lambersome, director of nine feature films, author of 15 published books, and co-founder of the Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival.
In addition, the College will honor Chris Cosgrave of Cheektowaga, NY, recipient of the 2023 WNY Filmmaker of the Year award. Cosgrave directed, co-wrote, edited, acted, and coordinated stunts and special effects for the film, which won the award for best drama at the inaugural SUNY Niagara film festival in 1998, and first prize in the Videomaker Magazine/Panasonic filmmaking contest. Since then, he’s racked up credits for his visual effects work on such films as Gave Up the Ghost, Sepulcher, Dick Johnson and Tommygun vs. the Cannibal Cop, Killer Rack, The Mongolian Connection, Guns of Eden, and Widow’s Point.
Free workshops will take place throughout the day. Actor David Autovino will teach voice-over techniques for film & video from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. in room E-107. He’ll provide a crash course for artists interested in voice over, either as a performer or as a content producer.
Improv acting and auditions will be taught by Bob Bozek, a graduate the prominent Second City Conservatory Program and the Upright Citizens Brigade. Bob will teach participants about improve games, techniques, connections, character development, and callbacks. Participants will have the chance to film a scene using these techniques. Bob’s workshop will run from 12 – 1 p.m. in room E-106.
Maria Friend, professional special FX makeup artist will host a shop about the design that goes into creating zombies, monsters, aliens, and other diabolical creatures for the big screen. Her lesson, “Special Effects Make-Up: Dark Fantasy, Gore & More” will run from 1-2 p.m. in room E-107.
Film industry veteran, Jay Vinitsky, will present “Making it in the Film Industry” from 2-3 p.m. in E-106. As Vice President of Post Production for New Line Cinema, Jay spent thousands of hours in editing rooms, theaters, mixing stages, and color timing sessions working with directors, editors, cinematographers, and supervising sound editors. His movie credits include: Elf, Final Destination, Hairspray, Horrible Bosses, Snakes on a Plane, Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny, Keanu, Sex & The City, and Wedding Crashers.
For more information or to register for free workshops, visit: niagaracc.suny.edu/ncccfilmfestival.
Media Contact Information
Denyel Beiter
Public Relations Assistant
Phone: 716-614-5974
Email: Dbeiter@niagaracc.suny.edu
