A new honorary festival director, Daniel Baldwin, will welcome guests and present awards at the 16th annual Syracuse International Film Festival (SYRFILMFEST). Films and events will be held Oct. 11-13 at the Red House Arts Center, 400 S. Salina St. Check the website for full schedule at www.syrfilm.com. The festival kicked off Oct. 3 with its signature program, Vintage Film, New Music, with composer Diane Jones at the Palace Theater in Eastwood.
On Friday, Oct. 11, SYRFILMFEST presents “The Stuntman,” a critically acclaimed film from 1980 that has become a cult classic. The film stars the late Peter O’Toole, Steven Railsback and Barbara Hershey. Both Railsback and Richard Rush, the film’s award winning director, will greet guests and answer audience questions when the film shows at the Red House Arts Center on Oct. 11 (6:45 p.m.) Tickets are available at the door or on the website.
In 1980 “The Stunt Man” won three Golden Globes Awards: Best Motion Picture (Drama), Best Director (Richard Rush) and Best Original Score. It also received three Academy Award nominations. “The Stunt Man” was a ground-breaking film in style, blurring the lines between fantasy and reality. It tells the story of a young veteran running from the police who stumbles onto the set of a World War I movie, where eccentric and autocratic director, Eli Cross (O’Toole), agrees to hide him from the police.
Baldwin, actor, director and producer, will present SYRFILMFEST’S Legacy Award to “The Stuntman,” which has earned its classic status due to its enduring stature in the world of film. Baldwin will also present the festival’s Sophia Award to Rush and Railsback to honor their outstanding work and special achievements during their filmmaking careers.
This year, SYRFILMFEST will show over 88 films during its three-day run at the three theaters at the Red House Art Center (Oct. 11, 12 and 13). Free parking is available in the garage off South Jefferson Street.
In addition to films, the SYRFILMFEST includes a Red Carpet photo opportunity with festival guests; a meet and greet reception, with a light food buffet, for the film “Raising Buchanan” ($25 for film and food, Friday, Oct 11, 7:30 p.m., tickets available at www.syrfilmfest.com); films by the winners of the local high school and college filmmaking competitions; a round-table discussion with all festival and local filmmakers; and a free Saturday matinee cartoon program featuring classic Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd and Tweety cartoons.
The SYRFILMFEST shows a variety of feature length and short films from around the world, including international and USA winners not previously seen in Central New York.
