The First East Hampton TV Festival Culminates in Star Studded Award Ceremony Honoring the Best of World Television at Historic Guild Hall

Actress Anthoula Katsimitides Hosted First East Hamptons TV Festival with Founder and Director Roberto Rizzo and Special Guests Ameliarose Allen, Micha McLaurin and Rebecca Knox

The First Annual East Hampton TV Festival (EHTVF) closed on July 23rd, in East Hampton, New York and wrapped up two days of television and film premieres and award-winning art exhibitions in the historic Guild Hall’s John Drew Theater and Green Room.

Roberto Rizzo, the founder of the New York City International Film Festival and the New York City TV Festival was inspired to create the East Hampton Television Festival to showcase the best of television talent the rich cultural community of the Hamptons.

After a successful launch of EHTVF, Rizzo commented, “A festival such as this is imperative in this new era of linear and non-linear media where streaming services have changed the way we consume multi-media and interact with television. By creating this East Hampton TV Festival, we are giving new talented filmmakers and documentarians a place in the Hamptons to showcase their work and to establish them amongst a prestigious audience.”

EHTVF featured screenings of TV shows and documentary films made for television from Canada, Germany, Austria, Spain, France and the United States. On Monday, July 22^nd, Michele Peacock and Lisa Rosenblum of Andreadis Talent Agency hosted a morning of television and documentary panels to explore pertinent topics in the industry.

Guests were treated to some stellar musical entertainment from both luminaries and up-and-comers over the two evenings. International concert pianist Micah McLaurin performed in the Grand Auditorium on Monday and Tuesday and American Idol contestant, AmeliaRose Allen performed her new sets of music to the raptured audience.

Actor Rebecca Knox (“Orange is the New Black”) kicked off opening night with her film, “Cavity,” a screenplay she wrote and stars in and was joined by various cast mates and producers.

Actress Janel Tanna also made her East Hampton TV Festival debut with her movie, Intervention, which deals with modern day America and the opioid crisis.

The East Hampton TV Festival also showcased prominent artists throughout the two days of the festival who simultaneously screened their thought provoking documentaries which explored the connection between fine art and museums.  Artist Marcus Jansen screened his documentary film, “Marcus Jansen- Examine and Report” and exhibited four pieces of his work in the Green Room over the two days.

Artist Susan J. Barron premiered her documentary, “Depicting The Invisible” at EHTVF which explores themes of PTSD in veterans and exhibited her artwork which represents the veterans stories through interactive art. Master Artist, Robert Cenedella also screened “Art Bastard”, his energetic, humorous and unapologetically honest documentary based on his prolific life as anti-establishment art disruptor. He also exhibited two new pieces of his artwork at the EHTVF.

In the Green Room of Guild Hall, award-winning Chinese artist, Xiangdong Chen of Stride Arts presented ‘The Infusion of Ink and Clay”. Chen is one of the most famous contemporary artists in China, and his show presented pieces from his most recent creative period as well as historic pieces that have brought him such acclaim.

SPECIAL EHTVF AWARDS 

BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE: Ameliarose Allen

RISING STAR AWARD FOR CONCERT PIANO – Micah McLaurin

PRESIDENT OF THE JURY – R.Couri Hay

FULL LIST OF EHTVF AWARD WINNERS

BEST SHORT FILM: Cavity

BEST DIRECTOR IN A SHORT FILM: Eha Urbsalu – A Thorn

BEST LEAD ACTRESS IN A SHORT FILM: Rebecca Knox – Cavity’

BEST TV PILOT IN A DRAMA: The Bitch in 4B

BEST DIRECTOR IN TV DRAMA: Michelle Anglin – The Bitch in 4B

BEST ACTOR IN A TV DRAMA: Anthony E. William – F.A.M.

BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SHORT: Janel Tanna – Intervention

BEST LEAD ACTRESS IN A TV DRAMA – Zoe Wilson, My Dinner with Schwartzey

BEST ART DOCUMENTARY: Art Bastard – Robert Cendella

BEST ART TV PILOT DOCUMENTARY – Examine and Report: Marcus Jansen

BEST ART DOCUMENTARY IN A SHORT FILM – Depicting The Invisible, Susan J.Barron

BEST COMEDY TV SHOW: Ranting & Raving

BEST DIRECTOR IN A TV COMEDY SHOW: Jay Zellman – Ranting & Raving

BEST LEAD ACTOR IN A TV COMEDY SHOW: Patrick Avella – Ranting & Raving

BEST LEAD ACTRESS IN A TV COMEDY SHOW: Cali Moore – Ranting & Raving

BEST COMEDY FEATURE FILM: Ghoul Catchers

BEST SCI FI TV PILOT: Kill Al

BEST DOCUMENTARY BASED ON A BOOK: In Money We Trust?