September 18, 2019 – 6:30pm – Opening Night Red Carpet Celebration – (Rapids Theater, 1711 Main St, Niagara Falls, NY 14305)
The NFIFF opening night red-carpet star-studded celebration begins at the historic Rapids Theatre at 6:30 PM with the ribbon cutting ceremony honoring the first two Walk Of Fame Stars to be enshrined on the NFIFF Walk of Fame… Niagara Falls newest tourist destination.
The first two stars that are being placed are Niagara’s own 2-Time Academy Award Winner Mark Bridges & 4-Time President of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (The Oscars) Cheryl Boone Isaacs.
Special Guests in attendance include:
7:30pm – The celebration continues inside the historic Rapids Theatre with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres Honoring legendary director/writer Samuel Fuller, this year’s inaugural winner of our annual “Icon of the Industry Award” plus numerous special guests and filmmakers attending (in addition to the above) such as…
– Christa Fuller (Samuel Fuller’s Widow)
– Samantha Fuller (Samuel Fuller’s Daughter)
– Michael Schlesinger (film historian, filmmaker and former MGM, Paramount and Sony studio executive 25+ years) numerous cast members of Sam Fuller’s “The Big Red One” and more
8:00pm – Mayor or Dignitary Welcome Presentation to Special Guests
8:15pm – NFIFF Representative announcing festival highlights, activities and our newest Walk of Fame Recipients Louis Gossett Jr. and Samuel Fuller.
8:30pm – Presentation of Louis Gossett Jr.’s awards and accomplishments
9:00pm – Presentation Honoring Louis Gossett Jr. with our next “Walk of Fame Star” and newest recipient of the NFIFF 2019 “Legacy Award” Ceremony continues with drinks and hors d’oeuvres
September 19, 2019 – (Regal Hollywood 12 Special Engagements)
6:00pm – Premiere Screening of…”Schmo Boat” (Sh, 30min) & “Power of the Press” (F, 64m) with special guest Michael Schlesinger (film historian, filmmaker and former MGM, Paramount and Sony studio executive 25+ years)
6:00pm – Premiere Screening of…”Viking Funeral” (Sh, 19min) & “The Reason” (F, 83m)
(with special guest Academy Award Winner Louis Gossett Jr. in attendance)
7:00pm – Premiere Screening of..”Age of Bryce” (Sh, 10m) & “The Wall of Mexico” (F, 105m)
with special guests Jackson Rathbone & Xander Berkeley attending – starring Jackson
Rathbone, Esai Morales, Mariel Hemingway, Xander Berkeley, Carmela Zumbado,
Marisol Sacramento (with Xander Berkeley and Jackson Rathbone appearing in person)
9:30pm – Premiere Screening of…”Turnover” (F, 120min) Starring Paul Guilfoyle, Riker
Lynch, Donna Mills, Jamie Brewer, Beverly Todd and WNY Native Janel Tanna (2019’s Maxim Cover Girl in attendance)
September 20, 2019 – (Regal Hollywood 12 Special Engagements)
2:00pm – Premiere Screening of…”Shock Corridor” (F, 101m) Sam Fuller Premier starring
Peter Breck, Constance Towers, Gene Evans (with special guest Constance Towers
appearing)
5:50pm – Premiere Screening of…”Big Muddy” (F, 116m)(with special guests Matt
Shapira & Brian Thomas Smith (The Big Bang Theory) attending)
6:00pm – Premiere Screening of…”A Fuller Life” (Doc, 80m) with special guests Christa &
Samantha Fuller, Perry Lang, Robert Carradine, Kelly Ward, Bobby DiCicco and more in
attendance) – starring Mark Hamill, James Franco, William Friedkin, Joe Dante, Jennifer
Beals, Tim Roth, and more…
8:00pm – Premiere Screening of..”Aberration” (Sh, 9m) & “Naked Kiss” (F, 90m) Sam Fuller
Premier starring Constance Towers, Betty Bronson, Patsy Kelly, Virginia Grey (with
Constance Towers attending)
8:00pm – Premiere Screening of…”SGT. Will Gardner” (F, 125m) with special guest Max
Martini & Michael Hagerty attending – starring Max Martini, Omari Hardwick, Lily Rabe,
Robert Patrick, Elisabeth Rohm, Dermot Mulroney, Gary Sinise, JoBeth Williams, Holt
McCallany
September 21, 2019 – Closing Night
2:45pm – (Regal Cinemas Hollywood 12, 720 Builders Way, Niagara Falls, NY 14304)
Closing Night Festivities will be dedicated to the Heroes of the United States Armed Forces and will culminate with our tribute to legendary director and writer Samuel Fuller.
Closing night festivities begin with Premiere screening of “Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero” (Animation) starring Helena Bonham Carter, Gérard Depardieu, Logan Lerman, Jordan Beck (F, 84 min).
Sergeant Stubby was a dog who is the official mascot of the 102nd Infantry Regiment and was assigned to the 26th Division in World War I. This animated family friendly film offers young filmgoers an age-appropriate look at a hero to root for and even celebrates time-honored virtues that are often overlooked now: Bravery. Patriotism. Family. Duty.
4:45pm – Our MAIN EVENT and Closing Night Film – Premiere screening of “The Big Red One” “The Reconstruction” Edition) (starring Lee Marvin, Mark Hamill, Robert Carradine, Perry Lang, Kelly Ward, Bobby Di Cicco)
Synopsis: Having previously fought in World War I, an unnamed sergeant (Lee Marvin) now leads soldiers of the U.S. First Infantry Division through World War II. His men include conflicted marksman Pvt. Griff (Mark Hamill), pulp novel writer Pvt. Zab (Robert Carradine), Sicilian Pvt. Vinci (Bobby Di Cicco) and medic Pvt. Johnson (Kelly Ward). The soldiers adapt to the hardships of war as they see conflict in North Africa and Sicily, take part in the D-Day landings, and liberate a Nazi concentration camp.
In attendance will be…
7:30pm – Closing Night Red Carpet Gala & Awards Presentation culminates with “Icon of the Industry” Award tribute to Samuel Fuller and family, followed by Samuel Fuller highlight video, filmmaker awards, tribute to the Motion Picture Retirement Home in honor of Samuel Fuller and presentation of our 2019 “Humanitarian Award” to Recent Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient and hometown hero, David Bellavia for his actions in the battle of Fallujah and dedication to our Nations hero’s.
Bellavia’s awards and decorations include the Medal of Honor, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, New York State’s Conspicuous Service Cross, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, the Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Infantryman Badge, Driver and Mechanics Badge and the NATO Medal. He was inducted into the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame in 2005, and is the sole living Medal of Honor recipient from the Iraq War.
9:00pm – Closing Night Events end with our star studded gala closing night party at the Comfort Suites next to the Regal Cinemas Niagara Falls, NY.