Great Neck, NY - October 1st, 2013 - This fall, from October 21-27, 2013 the Gold Coast Arts Center in collaboration with the Town of North Hempstead will present the 3rd annual Gold Coast International Film Festival (GCIFF), and everyone’s invited—again-- for another round of fantastic films, parties, panels, and fanfare!

Since GCIFF’s inception, the festival and year-round film series have successfully brought the latest Hollywood hits and Indie favorites to the North Shore of Long Island. Add A-list celebrities and unforgettable events to the mix and it’s safe to say that the GCIFF has quickly gained the reputation of the “go to” Festival for many fans and distributors alike as it’s the last major Festival on the East Coast before award season.

This year, with the help of the GCIFF, greater Long Island will become “Laugh Island” as they shine a spotlight on Comedy with a program of films and events loaded with legendary comedians, writers and actors. The line-up features Susie Essman (HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm) who will be honored at this year’s Annual Benefit Gala at The Space in Westbury on Wednesday October 23rd plus other surprise guests brought to you by our Head of Live Comedy Programming, Jeffrey Gurian, who in conjunction with Paul Provenza, is also bringing the widely successful "Set List: a chance to see your favorite comics as they’ve never been seen before" - to Long Island for the Festival as well. Created by Paul (The Aristocrats) Provenza and his partner Troy Conrad, this unique live event has the world’s top comedians get a never-before seen “set list” of bizarre, outrageous, and ridiculous topics as the audience follows along on the screen behind the performer. This event was made famous by comics like Robin Williams, Drew Carey, Judah Friedlander, Roseanne Barr, Gilbert Gottfried, Big Jay Oakerson, Jeffrey Ross and many more - all who have been invited to attend! Final line-up is always secret, but always AMAZING! Additionally, Jackie "The Joke Man" Martling (formerly of The Howard Stern Show) will be performing a special event before the festival begins on Saturday October 19th. 

The slate of films in 2013 is stronger than even before, as this year the GCIFF presents The NEW YORK PREMIERE of "Another Woman's Life" (a French romantic comedy starring Juliette Binoche), "Face of Love" (A romantic drama starring Annette Bening and Ed Harris, direct from the Toronto Film Festival), "The Genius of Marian" (A life affirming documentary about a family coping with Alzeimer's - with a panel of North Shore-LIJ Health System distinguished experts specializing in Geriatrics, Behavioral Health and research in the field of Alzheimer’s Disease which is being sponsored by The Katz Center for Women's Health of North Shore-LIJ Health System), "The Prime Ministers" (based on the bestselling book by Ambassador Yehuda Avner, who will be in attendance for a Q&A and book signing on Sunday October 27th), "Stand Clear of the Closing Doors" (the story of an autistic boy from Far Rockaway who gets lost on the subway on the eve of Hurricane Sandy), "The Short Game" (an award winning documentary about the best 7 year old golfers from around the world competing to be the next world champion), "In God We Trust" (a brilliant new film about the Madoff scandal, from the perspective of his personal secretary) and "The Kill Team" (Best Documentary Winner at Tribeca).

Other highlights of the festival include famed director Alexander Payne’s latest film  “Nebraska”, “Bettie Page Reveals All”, “Blumenthal” and “Send No Flowers” (including a panel with stars Sean Young, Tony Lo Bianco and Gianni Russo on Sunday October 27th), This year the festival will also feature a focus on Israeli film (“Big Bad Wolves”, “Dancing in Jaffa”, “Foreign Letters”) and there are also several films and programs specially geared towards families, as well. Most noteworthy is that the GCIFF screens many great pre-release films that, in the months to come, will become awards contenders.

Visit www.goldcoastfilmfestival.org for more information. 

From local governments and national brand sponsors to film industry professionals and our growing audience, the Gold Coast International Film Festival has become a valuable addition to the dynamic business and cultural fabric of Long Island.

GCIFF presents sensational events to SRO audiences year-round. Here are few highlights:

THE GREAT GATSBY

May 2013

Exclusive pre-release screening at Soundview Cinemas with introduction by director Baz Luhrmann, followed by a “Gatsby” party at Hempstead House Mansion.

DENNEHY TALKS TO DONAHUE

February 2013

Actor Brian Dennehy speaks about his Long Island roots and award-winning career to Phil Donahue, at Harbor Links Country Club.

AN EVENING WITH EDWARD BURNS

October 2012

GCIFF 2012 Opening Night film: Premiere of The Fitzgerald Family Christmas, Q&A with the director and star; followed by an after-party at Haute Durvo.

WEST SIDE STORY 50TH ANNIVERSARY SCREENING WITH RUSS TAMBLYN

October 2012

Special screening of the Academy Award®-winning film, preceded by a reception and Q&A with actor Russ Tamblyn, at the Auditorium on Broadway.

MASTER CLASS WITH BILL PLYMPTON 

June 2011, October 2012

Academy Award®-nominated animator Bill Plympton discussed his career, screened clips of his shorts, and conducted a drawing demonstration, at DeSeversky mansion.

ISABELLA ROSSELLINI: AN EVENING OF SCREENINGS & CONVERSATION

May 2011

Award-winning actress discussed her career, her famous parents, and presented her short films, shown at the Auditorium on Broadway.

Other highlights included conversations with Bruce Dern, Joan Allen, Gabriel Byrne, Celeste Holm, Eli Wallach, and Robert Klein, and informative panels with renowned filmmakers, producers, and industry experts. Notable films screened in the Furman Film Series and Gold Coast International Film Festival have included Silver Linings Playbook, The Descendants, The Artist, The King’s Speech, 127 Hours, La Vie En Rose, Bridget Jones’s Diary, The Cider House Rules, and Life is Beautiful.