Film about Astoria, Queens Leads at Sundance!

Wed, 01 Feb 2006 06:06:52 GMT

clipped by: MyAstoria

Dito Montiel nabbed the coveted dramatic directing award for "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints," which he adapted from his memoirs.

"This is really nuts, man," the surprised first-time helmer said in accepting the award. "I didn't make a list, and if I did name them we'd be here for eternity."

The film — whose producers include Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler — also received a special jury prize late Saturday for its ensemble cast.

"Saints" stars Robert Downey Jr. and Shia La Boeuf — who play Montiel at different ages — as well as Rosario Dawson, Chazz Palminteri, Dianne Wiest and Channing Tatum.

For the first time, both the grand jury prize — the festival's top honor — and the audience award went to the same film in both the dramatic and documentary competitions.

Tags: film, astoria, queens, myastoria, sundance, guide to recognizing your saints, robert downey jr

NY State Tax Credits to Support Film Business in LIC and Astoria

Mon, 23 Jan 2006 03:42:51 GMT

clipped by: MyAstoria

Clip Source: www.queenstribune.com

Gov. George Pataki came to Queens Friday to pledge that he would attempt to correct that mistake, making permanent a program that gives a 10 percent tax credit to film and television productions in New York State as part of his 2006-07 Executive Budget.

Pataki joined Philbin, along with the cast of ABC series “Hope and Faith,” and network executives, at Silvercup Studios in Long Island City to announce the renewal of the tax credit, which they said has lured many filmmakers back to the Big Apple.

The tax credit had been a pilot program set to expire in 2008, but an almost-immediate flood of new business at New York film studios encouraged officials to establish the incentive as state policy. In 2009, the recent budget also calls for the credit to increase from $25 million to $30 million annually.

“It works. In the last year and a half, almost a billion and a half in economic activity happened in this great city and state because we are now competitive,” said Pataki, speaking from the set of a new NBC pilot, “Kidnapped.” “We have the creative talent, the stars, the producers, and now have the ability to attract those when they have to make a tough business decision to film in New York instead of Vancouver.”

Tags: hollywood east, lic, astoria, queens, myastoria, new york, ny, pataki

Clipmarks | MyAstoria's 'film' clips

Film about Astoria, Queens Leads at Sundance!

NY State Tax Credits to Support Film Business in LIC and Astoria