Ginger Stickel, Wendy Stapleton, Collen deVeer
Greenwich International Film Festival
Wendy Stapleton, Colleen deVeer, and Ginger Stickel took time out to speak with Luxury Experience just days before the GIFF celebrates its 5th anniversary. The idea for the festival began during a discussion one evening during a dinner party when Carina Crain, Wendy Stapleton, and Colleen deVeer thought how incredible it would be to create a festival in Greenwich, CT to cultivate the arts community, and from an impromptu idea, a grand-scale international film festival was born 18-months later.
What makes Greenwich an ideal location for a film festival is its accessibility; the Bowtie Theatre (one of the film screening venues) is located directly under the train station, and on the way to the Cole Auditorium at Greenwich Library, (another film screening location), visitors can experience fantastic shopping and great restaurants that line Greenwich Avenue.
New for 2019
There are 58 films (narrowed down from over 350 entries), consisting of social impact films, documentary features, narrative features, best CT shorts, documentary shorts, and narrative shorts that will appeal to diverse interests.
Of the 58 films, 38 of them will have the cast, crew, and subjects represented there to enrich your film festival experience, which is very exciting. As an all-female founded company, they are proud of the strong female characters portrayed and the female directors of the films for 2019. Films that will resonate soundly will cover such topics as environmental conservation, homelessness, and disability issues.
Making A Difference, Making An Impact – Panel Highlights
JP Morgan Storytelling to Inspire Change, featuring Melinda Arons, SVP of Social Impact at Participant Media, Abigail Disney, Founder, Partner & Producer at Level Forward, and Laura Lewis, Founder and CE of Rebelle Media.
The Ability in Disability generously underwritten by The Stapleton Family Foundation and Bank of America in honor of former President George H. W. Bush and the critical legislation he passed to create a more equitable world for the disabled. Featuring Millicent Simmonds (deaf actress – A Quiet Place), Carol Glazer, Tom Ridge, Chris Lopes and Kathy Lopes, and Mr. John H. Hager.
The Price of Gold about what it takes to become a world class athlete and will include doctors, elite athletes, and directors from ESPN’s 30 for 30 series.
Behind the Scenes with Blue Sky Studios – family friendly panel into the exciting world of all aspects of animation production at Blue Sky Studios.
The Parties!
Bring on the glamour for the 2019 Changemaker Gala (May 30, 2019) beginning with a cocktail reception followed by the black-tie awards dinner honoring Eva Longoria Baston and Bobby Walker, Jr., and Kathie Lee Gifford, Master of Ceremonies.
Start the evening with the Opening Night Film Premiere (May 31, 2019) of Brittany Runs A Marathon, then mix and mingle with film talent and VIPs at the Opening Night Party.
Kesha
The EPIC Anniversary party (June 1, 2019) will be just that – EPIC, when Kesha takes to the stage for a concert performance, with award presentations by Connie Nielsen, music by DJ April Larken, special performances and so much more.
Meet Changemaker Honoree Bobby Walker, Jr.
Bobby Walker, Jr. took time out to speak with Luxury Experience about being selected as a changemaker for 2019. Like GIFF, Bobby also celebrates his 5th anniversary in 2019 as the CEO of the Greenwich Boys and Girls Club. Bobby Walker, Jr. has been an educator, administrator, coach, and all-around athlete. When asked what he thought about being selected as a changemaker, he replied, "It’s amazing that I’m here. I had been a principal for 9 years, and I wanted to do something else. I took a leap of faith and told my wife that I would be interested in working for a non-profit. I met a gentleman who was the head of the Greenwich Boys and Girls Club at that time and he was interested in stepping down." When a search agency called him and told him about the opening, he knew that was what he wanted.
Growing up in Dallas, Texas, the youngest of 8 children, he became involved in the Boys and Girls Club "as a knuckleheaded 7th grade boy" where he was surrounded by amazing people who believed in him and gave him support, for which he is eternally grateful. He learned that he could do whatever he put his mind to; and considers himself to be a very lucky man."
Favorite All-Time Films
As GIFF is a Film Festival, we thought it fun to ask Wendy, Colleen, Ginger, and Bobby to name their favorite all-time film(s); here are their responses.
Wendy Stapleton: Wes Anderson films, I love all his films.
Colleen deVeer: The Graduate (1967, Anne Bancroft, Dustin Hoffman).
Ginger Stickel: Gone with the Wind (1939, Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh), and Wedding Crashers (2005 Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn).
Bobby Walker: Glory (1989, starring Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes, and Morgan Freeman) about the brave African American men who served in the American Civil War. So inspired by the film, it was the reason that he became a history teacher. "The beauty of movies is that they are now telling stories of everyday people who have made an impact." Bobby Walker, Jr. is one of them that is making a difference and making an impact.
Congratulations to Bobby Walker, Jr. and Eva Longoria Baston, GIFF 2019 Changemaker honorees.
Having attended the last 2 GIFFs, we cannot wait for the 2019 GIFF to begin!
For more information and tickets for the Greenwich International Film Festival, please visit the website: www.Greenwichfilm.org
Greenwich International Film Festival
Telephone: +1-203-485-0415, +1-203-717-1800
Website: www.greenwichfilm.org
The Box Office is open May 6 – June 1, 2019, Monday through Sunday from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm.
55 Arch Street
Greenwich, CT 06830
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