MAY 1, 2005 --

The NYIIFF is back, with screenings continuing through May 5 at the Village Cinema East on Second Avenue, at 12th Street.

A source tells LPR that the festival has some 300 films on its schedule. The festival has a music counterpart at the Roosevelt Hotel, near Grand Central Terminal.

The festival opening, April 28, featured an art exhibit, including work from Buffalo's Ran Webber and Manitoba's Demetra Penner.

On the main exhibition area, LPR received a typed-on-the-spot invitation to "flying solo one girl's story" -- to be shown May 4th at 10 p.m. LPR also met Sylvia Lasalandra, whose short film "A Daughter's Touch, calls attention to postpartum depression. Ms. Lasalandra suffered from postpartum depression four years ago, after the birth of her daughter, and has written a book on the subject.

Before the April 30th screening, Ms.
Lasalandra indicated that Brooke Shields also discusses this illness in a book soon to be published.

LPR met Italian director Mauro John Capece, whose short film Il Sopranista will be screened May 2nd at 8.10 p.m. LPR also met Australian writer, actor, singer and Nascar racer George Elliot at the festival opening. Mr. Elliot wrote and stars in The Crop, which is roughly based on stories he heard while working in pubs in Australia -- apparently when marijuana cut into bar revenue.

The movie is about the efforts of a pub owner to branch into raising the weed in the Australian bush. It includes a pet kangaroo and a rambunctious donkey.

This is Mr. Elliot's first film and he makes a very amiable hero. Mr. Elliot was joined at the April 29 screening by his wife Dawn, and daughters Natalie--associate producer on the film -- and Charmaine. He also has a son, Graham.

For more on the festival, please click the LPR link on the right. LPR plans to run more festival photos next week.

Buffalo artist Ran Webber.

Typist writing invites to one of the films.