Manhattan Film Institute expands North Fork Film Program

GREENPORT, N.Y. - June 23, 2016 - PRLog -- Greenport Village will soon play host to aspiring filmmakers and actors from across the country with the upcoming fifth annual Manhattan Film Institute's North Fork Summer Workshop series. The series takes place July 10th through the 24th and now offers expanded course offerings including cinematography in addition to courses in acting and directing.

The public can benefit from the organization's star-studded East End stay by taking advantage of three free celebrity Q&A screenings being hosted by Peconic Landing. During each screening an actor, writer or director from the film will be on hand to answer questions.

Founded by writer, actor and producer Tony Spiridakis, and his partner, Lisa Gillooly, The Manhattan Film Institute is a boutique conservatory that pairs world-class faculty with aspiring film professionals, helping to mentor the next generation of filmmakers. Classes take place at Peconic Landing's historic Brecknock Hall, with scenes being shot throughout the Village of Greenport.

The participants, who were hand-picked by the Institute earlier this year, will be creating more than 26 short films throughout the two-week program, with each acting student being cast in two films. Their work will then be put on display, screened for the first time at the Greenport Movie Theater Sunday, July 24 at 10 a.m. These screenings are open to the public and are free of charge.

This season, students will have the opportunity to learn from professionals holding major film and television credentials, including  Bob Krakower, Chazz Palminteri, Wendy Makkena, Bill Finkelstein, Shannon Goldman, Tony Goldwyn and founder Tony Spiridakis.

"Hosting the program on the North Fork means that we get to bring world-class artists to our idyllic corner of the world," said Spiridakis, who grew up spending summers in East Marion. "To have members of our community join MFI students in classes, seminars and screenings, it makes us feel that we are something back to the place we call home."

Three celebrity screenings featuring LIVE Q&A sessions will take place throughout the week at the Peconic Landing Community Center and open to the public and free to all:

•    Marcia Gay Harden will screen "Pollock" on Saturday, July 16 at 7:30 p.m.Harden won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for portraying Lee Krasner, Pollock's wife.

•    Bobby Moresco will screen "The Graduate" on Thursday, July 21 at 7:30 PM. Moresco is an Academy Award Winner for Crash and Million Dollar Baby.

•    Chazz Palminteri will screen "Analyze This" on Saturday, July 23 at 7:30 PM. Palminteri stars in the film with stars Robert De Niro and Billy Crystal.

While the screenings are free, public registration is required. To register visit: http://peconiclanding.ticketleap.com/

"We are honored to host the Manhattan Film Institute and provide an outlet for aspiring actors and filmmakers to pursue their talents," said Peconic Landing president and CEO Robert J. Syron. "I invite the members of our community to join us for the celebrity screenings and support these students as they unveil their hard work."

Each year, MFI and Peconic Landing team up to award a scholarship to a local aspiring filmmaker. This year's scholarship winner is Carter Montgomery of Mattituck High School.  For students like Carter, participating in the North Fork summer program serves as a spring board for aspiring actors and directors, helping them gain entrance to the top film schools in the country.

"When we find a young local artist like Carter, who reaches for the heights, who cannot afford to join us, and who lives on the North Fork, we want to make it happen, and it would not be possible without the support and partnership of Peconic Landing," said Spiridakis.

The organization has set out to increase the scholarship program through private donations and has set up a "donate now" button on the MFI home page. Interested donors can visit http://www.manhattanfilminstitute.com to learn more about the program.