May 27, 2024
The Inwood Film Festival, now in its ninth year, ran this weekend inside Columbia University’s Campbell Sports Center on West 218th Street and Broadway. From its humble origin beneath the elevated tracks of the Broadway Local and on through a Global pandemic that it survived, the IFF has emerged as an important stop on the film festival circuit and a date on the City’s cultural calendar. Every year since the festival’s initial installment – in a catering hall above a taxicab company’s radio base – has featured a plethora of excellent films and 2024 kept that streak going.
Post screening conversation with IFF Filmaker Fund Grantees & Aaron Simms.
This year’s program included five outstanding short films by IFF Filmaker Fund grantees. Having seen the works they created, it’s clear that it was money well spent/invested. The films ranged from a look into a dystopian future in which Women are 2nd Class Citizens and sex ed has been banned (“This is Jane. See Jane...” directed by Keena Gonzalez) to an unexpected identity crisis provoked by a DNA test result (“Puerto Rican Jew” directed by Louis Carrasco). The Friday night grantee block also included Timothy Koch‘s “Alternate Side Parking“; “Condos” directed by Dileepan Ganesan; and “Nana” directed by Hillary Carrigan.
Padraic Lillis & Simms.
“Get to Eleven” was also on the IFF’s Friday night card. The film dealt with subjects that many regard as taboo and created an opening for some much needed conversations about the topics of suicide, addiction and the importance of sharing stories in our darkest moments. Afterwards, filmmakers Padraic Lillis and David Quay joined Inwood Art Works Founder and Executive Producer Aaron Simms for a discussion and audience Q&A. The film is based on Padraic Lillis’ award-winning one man show, “Get to Eleven.”
Robyn Ayers, “Stay With“.
Saturday afternoon’s Long Shorts block, “Dancing Beyond the Boundaries of Reality” was blockbuster. “Resurrection” (directed by Anna Tan), “Opening Ceremony” (directed by Manon Manavit), “The Gorgon Cycles” (directed by Miles Inada, Devyn McConachie, and Tessa Brinckman), and “Stay With” (directed by Ben Stamper) were all out of this World great. “Stay With” featured Movement Artist Robyn Ayers who told the Gazette, “Dance opens up an entire pathway for somatic memory and healing. Telling stories through dance is my greatest honor and deepest joy.”
Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine heaped praise upon Inwood Art Works, the Inwood Film Festival and Aaron Simms.
Saturday evening’s lineup included ten Short Shorts (<5 min.) and five Long Shorts (<25 min.), and they were all great. This year’s selection of films was truly impressive. The Dance block in particular was just awesome. How they all happened to show up this year is remarkable and Aaron Simms deserves lots of credit for curating this year’s festival program. You can check out the entire 2024 Inwood Film Festival Program here. If you missed seeing any of the films, or if you want to watch them again, you can do so via IFF+ the online option through June 16th.
“Bald” Alexandra Campos (Producer), Andrea Edgerson (Writer), Andrew Sanford (Director).
“Suspicious Minds” Imelda O’Reilly and Joe Foley.
“Fundamental Shapes” Aaron Simms with Steve Held.
“Un Bizcocho Para Mi” directed by Yuby Hernandez is a loving portrait of an artist whose medium of choice is making beautiful cakes, specifically the delicious sort that the Dominican Republic and Inwood are known for. One viewer watched as if in a trance as Yuby’s mother (the cake artist) built a remarkable creation from scratch, carefully sifting, measuring, mixing, baking, trimming, frosting, and finally decorating it with all the patience, skill and concentration that a masterpiece demanded.
“Un Bizcocho Para Mi” Director Yuby Hernandez (orange gown) y su familia.
“Mangu Aqui 2” Kevin Bencosme (Lead Actor, Producer), Robert Asencio (Actor)
The Sunday afternoon block of Long Shorts (<25 min.) took viewers for a walk on the wild side with Uptown: Criminal Intent. The three films in this set were “Mangu Aqui 2” (Directed by Luke Bond); “On Point” (Directed by Christian Schifano); and “Honest Work” (Directed by Kermis Batista). These three alone are worth buying an IFF+ pass to watch, but of course you can watch all the films with that pass, not just these three standouts. Again, as with the Dance/Film block, Simms curated a marvelous selection here.
(L-R) Simms + Yuby Hernandez, Padraic Lillis, Jamie Ruddy.
Following a screening of “Robin Hood” (a student film from Pied Piper Children’s Theater) on Sunday, Simms handed out awards for Excellence in Filmmaking. As he mentioned several times, being named an Official Selection is the real award and the Gazette concurs. Every one of these Inwood connected movies were winners this year. Casts, crews, and audience members were all invited to a wrap party afterwards at Tubby Hook.
Once again, this link for IFF+ is where you can buy a pass for $20 to watch all the festival films (or just watch some a la carte for $3/per). Finally, this message is from Inwood Art Works Founder and Executive Producer Aaron Simms:
Thank you for attending the 2024 Inwood Film Festival.
I wanted to personally thank you for coming to the 2024 Inwood Film Festival. Over 1,300 attended eight screenings of thirty films, two seminars, and our benefit night making it the most successful event in our nine year history. I am grateful for the tremendous work of our volunteers, staff and board who made it vibrant, fun, and entertaining.