6th Annual Williamsburg Independent Film Festival Opens November 19th For Film Lovers

BROOKLYN, N.Y., Oct. 28, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Williamsburg Independent Film Festival (willfilm.org) celebrates its 6th year Thursday, November 19 to Sunday, November 22, 2015. Launched in 2010 the Festival has showcased independent films from around the world, many with a focus on Williamsburg and Brooklyn.

"We are excited to announce another outstanding line-up of films this year," said Peter Bloch, a Co-Director and Co-Founder of the Festival. "We have a good mixture of emerging and established filmmakers, as well as a great group from Brooklyn and Williamsburg."

This year the festival received over 220 entries for consideration from over 25 different countries. "We will be announcing the complete line-up in early November," said Bloch. "It's exciting to see that the power of Williamsburg and Brooklyn to inspire creativity only grows with time." 

For the second year in a row, the Festival will be screening at the Cinema at the Wythe Hotel, 80 Wythe Ave. at N. 11th Street on the North side of Williamsburg. "The Wythe is a great venue, with space for screenings, talks, and live music in the auditorium," said festival Co-Director Robert Skelly.

The festival is very proud to exhibit the world premiere of the film AMOK, directed by Rick Rodgers. The film is about a husband and father, Josh Hamilton (THE BOURNE IDENTITY, MADAME SECRETARY), who is haunted by events from his childhood. AMOK also stars ACADEMY AWARD Nominated actress Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio (THE COLOR OF MONEY, GRIMM) and TONY AWARD winner Kate Burton (127 HOURS, SCANDAL). The cast and crew will attend the opening night party and a talkback following the screening.

The opening night spotlight film of WillFilm 6 is THE TRUTH ABOUT LIES, written and directed by indie filmmaker Phil Allocco  starring Fran Kranz (THE CABIN IN THE WOODS), Oddette Annable (THE ASTRONAUTS' WIVES CLUB) Mary Elizabeth Ellis (IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA), and Colleen Camp (AMERICAN HUSTLE).  

The US premiere of THE TRAIN, written and directed by Asher Grodman will be another special screening.  Inspired by a true story, it is the final screen role of ACADEMY AWARD Winner Eli Wallach. Steven Spielberg is on record calling it 'a fitting exit for a grand master of the performing arts.'  THE TRAIN tells the story of a preoccupied young man, who reluctantly agrees to meet his girlfriend's grandfather and learns that life can change in a moment. The festival will also screen the feature debut of Timothy Busfield's (THIRTY-SOMETHING, FIELD OF DREAMS, SLEEPY HOLLOW) ONE SMART FELLOW. It stars and was co-written by Busfield, Melissa Gilbert and Laura Innes. The festival also includes a short, RAISE THE TOYGIGANTIC, by returning producer/director, Gail Lerner (WILL & GRACE, HAPPY ENDINGS, BLACK-ISH). The director debuted her short, GIRLS SEASONS 38, at the Williamsburg Independent Film Festival in 2013.  

Director Joey Ally will present her short MINIMUM WAGE, starring Sara Ramos (PARENTHOOD). Walking home from a rough night at work, Kit (Sarah Ramos) takes a chance when a stranger, Tim (Ian Harding), mistakes her identity.

The full schedule of festival screenings and events will be announced in early November. Participants include actors Melissa Gilbert (LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, SECRETS AND LIES), Ray Wise (TWIN PEAKS, MAD MEN, FRESH OFF THE BOAT), Fran Kranz (CABIN IN THE WOODS), Randy Harrison (QUEER AS FOLK, Mr. ROBOT),  Josh Hamilton*, Timothy Busfield*, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio*, Aaron Lazar (THE WOLF OF WALL STREET) and Treat Williams (HAIR, PRINCE OF THE CITY, 1941).

The east coast premiere of INDIGO GREY; THE PASSAGE. produced and shot in Brooklyn, features an original score by Evanescence's Amy Lee, Dave Eggar and Chuck Palmer.

Past honorees and guests include Frank Walley, Cathy Moriarty, Dakota Fanning, Skeet Ulrich, Keir Gilchrist, Chloe Dahl, Gail Lerner, Rene Balcer, Michael Urie, Illeana Douglas, and Julia Ormand.

For more information, please go to the Festival's website, willfilm.org.

*Credits provided above

Media Contact: Peter Bloch, Williamsburg Independent Film Festival, 917-213- 3308, [email protected]

Tickets go on sale Friday 10/30/15.
Visit willflim.org then click on the brownpaperticketing.com icon
Follow the Festival on Twitter at #willfilm.

SOURCE WillFilm