The Buffalo Niagara Film Festival
A showcase of local, international talent
by ANDREA KIMBRIEL Reporter
Organizers of the Buffalo Niagara Film Festival want it to become a mainstay in Buffalo.

Bill Cowell, founder and president of the Buffalo Niagara Film Festival, prepares to hand out awards at last year's festival.

"This is going to be one of Buffalo's pre-eminent events. It's this continued opportunity to bring both America and the world to Western New York and show them what we do here," said Williamsville resident Michael Marszalkowski, assistant director of the festival.

The second Buffalo Niagara Film Festival will be held from March 24 to 29 at three venues: the Adam's Mark Hotel, 120 Church St., Buffalo; the Riviera Theatre, 67 Webster St., North Tonawanda; and the Market Arcade Film & Arts Centre, 639 Main St., Buffalo.

It will showcase the works of local filmmakers, bring in high-caliber guests and allow area residents to view movies not available elsewhere.

"For someone who enjoys movies, here's an opportunity to see movies that aren't in the limited run of mainstream movies and yet are incredible," he said.

Lou Ferrigno, who played the Incredible Hulk in the television show, a special guest at last year's festival, signs posters for the festival committee.

The event is the brainchild of Bill Cowell, founder and president of the festival and CEO and creative executive of Captures Entertainment.

"He is someone who loves movies; it's as simple as that," Marszalkowski said. "More importantly, he's in love with the whole process of moviemaking and watching."

Marszalkowski, an entertainment lawyer, was assistant director last year as well.

The first festival attracted about 8,000 people. Organizers hope for more than 10,000 this year.

Festival publicist Gregory Lamberson said he isn't aware of any other Buffalo film festival with so much to offer in terms of its size and the variety of genres featured.

"I think people in Buffalo really are starved for things like this. There's a real love of the arts. The key is to get the information out here so people are aware," he said.

About 100 films of various types, including art films, animation, short films and student films, will be shown.

Monday will focus on the movie "The Natural," which Marszalkowski said may be the greatest sports film. A reunion party will be held for local people - actors, extras, set designers, caterers - involved in the filming of "The Natural" in Buffalo in the early 1980s.

Memorabilia from the film will be on display; Robert Prosky, who played the judge, will come to speak about the behind-the-scenes aspects; and Robert Redford, who played Roy Hobbs, may make an appearance via live remote connection, Marszalkowski said.

Other films on Monday are sports-related, including a documentary on baseball pitcher Bill "Spaceman" Lee, who will also attend the festival.

Tuesday and Wednesday are focused on documentaries, as well as on Western New York.

"There are numerous filmmakers from Western New York that we're really highlighting," he said.

Lamberson, a Cheektowaga resident, is organizing the "Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Day" on Thursday with David Gray, local special-effects designer, and Emil Novak, local filmmaker. Lamberson has had three low-budget horror films distributed and is the author of several novels, including "Johnny Gruesome."

The horror category received the most submissions, so that day will be packed with films, he said.

Guests for Horror Day include Tom Hollands, who directed "Fright Night" and "Child's Play," and Roy Frumkes, who will be premiering his new film, "The Definitive Document of the Dead," an expanded version of a documentary filmed during the making of "Dawn of the Dead." Also attending will be Herschel Gordon Lewis, known as the "Godfather of Gore" for creating the gore genre.

"He's just incredibly beloved by fans. He's just a very popular figure," said Lamberson.

Horror "scream queen" Melantha Blackthorne and stuntwoman Cheryl Quiacos will also be part of the programming, as well as a midnight showing of Lamberson's movie, "Slime City," on its 20th anniversary.

Friday's highlight is the screening of a documentary and live concert by Wanda Jackson, known as the "Queen of Rockabilly." She was the first female rock and roller, Marszalkowski said.

Hollywood director Tony Pastor Jr. is returning to the festival on Saturday to discuss auditioning techniques.

"He was here last year and just blew people away with his passion and knowledge. He's going to work interactively with local actors," he said

The films featured have been chosen from a number of submissions. Seven different countries and a number of states are represented, Marszalkowski said. Last year, about two-thirds of the films were attended by their directors or other representatives, and he expects a similar percentage this year.

"That's good for tourism. Last year it was great just being around these people," he said.

Marszalkowski said another important aspect of the festival is the education from panels of experts. Presentations on topics such as script writing, special effects and music in film are offered.

While Marszalkowski said the event is geared toward high school age and up, some films are appropriate for families, and those with adult content will be indicated.

"This festival, because it is six days, has a lot of variety. It's sort of a cliche to say there's something for everyone, but I think there really is," Lamberson said.

Single-day passes, whole-week passes and single screening tickets are available. For tickets or more information, visit www.buffaloniagarafilmfestival. com.