By Mabel Pais

Personal Stories. Original Ideas. New Work.

Voted one of the top 100 film festivals on FilmFreeway!

The Chain NYC Film Festival (ChainFilmFestival.com) has a diverse lineup of films included in this year’s edition, for the 11th year. The Festival takes place, in person, August 4 – 13, in the heart of midtown at 312 W. 36th Street, 3rd and 4th Floor, New York, NY 10018.

The Chain NYC Film Festival believes that independent artists are the heart of all the work t he festival experiences locally and globally, thereby supporting true independent film, with specially curated film blocks from animated shorts by Oscar-nominated Disney animators to Asian Voices, LGBTQIA Stories, Comedies, BIPOC filmmakers and gripping documentaries from around the world.

The selection of over 180 features, shorts, and web series, both narrative and documentaries, showcase the work of a variety of artists including Golden Globe-winner Jacqueline Bisset, Academy Award-nominee Andrew Chesworth, Hugh Dancy, Morgan Fairchild, Corey Feldman, Robin Givens, Tony Award-winner James Naughton, Academy Award-winner Mercedes Ruehl, Jefferson White.

“We believe that this moment in history is why independent filmmaking is crucial to the future of our industry. The Chain NYC Film Festival is a fully independent film festival that has no connections or sponsorships with any AMPTP companies. As such, members of SAG-AFTRA & the WGA can participate in the Chain NYC Film Festival. We stand in solidarity with the SAG-AFTRA & WGA.”

– Festival Director, Kirk Gostkowski

For SAG-AFTRA’s official statement and further information, visit  http://www.sagaftrastrike.org/member-faqs

Festival Highlights include:

THE NANA PROJECT

Director: Robin Givens (Boomerang, Riverdale, Batwoman).

Set in the competitive world of chess, we follow Nana’s journey in a heartwarming feel-good comedy about reuniting her grandsons and supporting her retirement community. Starring Academy Award-winner Mercedes Ruehl (The Fisher King, Lost in Yonkers, Hustlers, The Last Action Hero), Nolan Gould (Modern Family), Morgan Fairchild (Falcon Crest, Flamingo Road) and Charlene Tilton (Dallas).

THE MISPRINT

Director: Adam Volerich.

Starring Jefferson White (Yellowstone)–When a reformed criminal receives a cry for help from his former partner in crime, he finds himself back in the game with no way out but through.

THE BRAVE LOCOMOTIVE

Director/Writer: Andrew Chesworth (Oscar-nominated).

Old West musical tale with 1940s Andrews Sisters flair about a mighty little train facing harrowing disaster. Chesworth co-wrote and co-directed the animated short film One Small Step at Taiko Studios. Prior to that, he was an animator at Disney on such films as Frozen, Big Hero 6, Zootopia, and more. He is also an experienced character designer and director of animated commercials.

MONSTR

Director: Tank Standing Buffalo

This animated short starring Corey Feldman (Stand By Me, The Lost Boys, The Goonies). How do you go on living when everything is taken from you in the blink of an eye? A young artist confronts his inner demons while apprenticing with a northwest totem carver after the death of his beloved.

MY DEAR MR. WHITMAN

Director: Jeremiah Dickey (Black Hawk Down, Hannibal)

This animated excerpt from the documentary series Queer for Fear illustrates an 1872 letter of adoration sent to American poet Walt Whitman by a young British writer named Bram Stoker, years before he would find fame as the author of Dracula. Starring Hugh Dancy.

NOT THE SAME CLARENCE

Directors/Writers: Brian Russell (Yo Andrea), his son Sam Russell (Bad Tidings)

This touching short film about parental aging and Alzheimer’s disease is a tribute to fathers and sons, featuring family bonds in front of and behind the camera. Starring Tony Award-winner James Naughton (And Just Like That, Planet of the Apes, Broadway’s Chicago, and City of Angels) and his son Greg Naughton (The Independents, Artistic Director of the Blue Light Theater Company).

I’M OKAY, WE’RE OKAY

Director/Co-Writer: Adrienne Acevedo Lovette (Better Call Saul, Fosse/Verdon, The Dark Room), Co-Writer/Actor: John Rice (Hidden Daylight, The Dark Room)

On a road trip with her unfaithful boyfriend, Ellie discovers she has DID (once called multiple personality disorder) and that her fractured identities are offering them clues about her mysterious past.

LOREN & ROSE

Director: Russell Brown

Rose is a legendary actress trying to revive her career. Loren is a promising filmmaker. Over the course of their many encounters, a deep friendship evolves as their love of art, understanding of grief, and faith in life’s potential guide them through personal and creative transformations. Golden Globe-winner Jacqueline Bisset (Dancing on the Edge, Murder on the Orient Express, Bullitt) and Kelly Blatz (Aaron Stone, Senior Love Triangle) star with a chemistry that is at once authentic and intoxicating.

MY SISTER’S WEDDING

Director: Kenneth R. Frank

Allison Valentine awakes on the day of her younger sister’s wedding with two simple goals: ensure the smooth execution of the ceremony and break the news of her resignation from the family business. Unfortunately, all members of the family have come with their own agenda and have asked Allison for her help in getting what they want. Will Allison continue to ignore what she needs to keep the peace? Or will she finally take a stand and risk hurting those she loves and ruining this important day?

For more information and the complete film guide, visit chainfilmfest2023.eventive.org/films

TICKETS

Tickets purchased in advance have a lower price than those purchased at the door. To purchase tickets, visit chainfilmfest2023.eventive.org.

HEALTH SAFETY PROTOCOL

Masks are encouraged, but not required.

The Chain NYC Film Festival

The Chain NYC Film Festival has screened over 1,000 films in the past eight years. Past festival participants such as ‘Lady in Apartment No. 6’ have gone on to win Academy Awards.

The Chain NYC Film Festival is a multi-disciplinary event that serves the NYC community by bringing access to quality independent film from around the world. Content accepted is work that comes from a personal experience, a new outlook or idea in the world of film, and has been produced within the past two years.

Past guests include Richard LaGravenese (The Fisher King, Behind the Candelabra) and Richard Price (The Color of Money, The Wire).

(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Education, Cuisine, Health & Wellness, Spirituality, and Business)