By Richard Eric Weigle
Having lived in Greenwich Village for 43 years and having been The Grove Street Block Association President for 15 years, one could say that I am a proud Villager. My husband, Michael Anastasio, and I are also documentary film producers, so anything concerning “The Arts” and Greenwich Village, is of real interest to us.
In the spring of 2015, I heard that there was going to be a first-ever Greenwich Village film Festival in October of that year. “Why didn’t I think of that,” I asked myself and was surprised that it took two Italian filmmakers living here, Antonio Padovan and Alessia Gatti, to come up with the idea. Incredible, I thought. I have to be a part of that. I immediately called our award-winning director, Rick McKay, who directed, produced, edited and wrote the acclaimed documentary Broadway: The Golden Age and is working now on the soon to be released sequel Broadway: Beyond The Golden Age, and told him,” we have to be a part of this festival.” Always up for a creative challenge, we helped produce, and he made a little gem of a film entitled Greenwich Village: A World Apart starring actors who lived and worked in Greenwich Village such as Eva Marie Saint, Elizabeth Ashley, Ben Gazzara, and Bea Arthur. Well, dreams do come true, because just as I had hoped and envisioned it, our film won the first ever Greenwich Village Film Festival for Best Greenwich Village Portrait. It truly was a magical night.
Michael and I looked at each other and thought, we have to get involved in this, get the community more involved and try to take it to the next level. So we wrote fundraising letters and approached local restaurants, individuals, block associations, and businesses.
One has only to look at the festival advertisement in this paper to see the response from the community. The generosity of these block associations and businesses has allowed us to expand the festival from one night to three, taking place on October 24th, 25th, and 26th. The venue for all screenings will be the quaint and iconic Renee Weiler Concert Hall at The Greenwich House Music School at 46 Barrow Street. The after parties on opening and closing nights will be held in nearby restaurants, and we will be honoring a wonderful, longtime Greenwich Village resident and actor named Bill Sage. With over 108 film and television credits to his name, he personifies the definition of a working actor. We are still taking film submissions of films, 20 minutes or less, until August 31st. So don’t miss out.
Greenwich Village has always been an oasis of culture and creativity, but like most gentrified areas, it has become harder and harder for struggling actors, writers, dancers, and artists to afford to live here. So this brilliant concept by Antonio Padovan and Alessia Gatti to have a Greenwich Village Film Festival, puts a new creative spotlight on this historic neighborhood. It brings filmmakers and film lovers to our quiet tree-lined streets—such as Grove, Barrow and Commerce—and allows them to experience a different aspect of this great city. Michael and I are extremely proud to have been able to incite our community to embrace this festival. This neighborhood has always had a strong Italian and gay presence so I suppose it is only fitting that two Italian directors and two creative gay men would meet, join forces, and continue trying to make a positive cultural difference.
Tickets for the festival will go on sale in October, and you can stay informed by checking out our website at: www.greenwichvillagefilmfestival.com.
