Manhattan Film Institute's Program Back After Pandemic Shut-Down

GREENPORT, NY — After a 16-month pause due to the pandemic, the Manhattan Film Institute recently kicked off its 10th Annual Summer Film Festival in Greenport.

A total of 52 filmmakers from around the world arrived in Greenport for the 10th annual North Fork summer program.

The Manhattan Film Institute, co-founder Tony Spiridakis said, is a "boutique conservatory" with a "world-class" faculty including Bob Krakower, Chazz Palminteri, Tony Goldwyn, Spiridakis, Wendy Makkena, Bill Finkelstein, and Shannon Goldman, all with extensive film and television credentials.

"Filmmakers have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. While the pandemic shut down work for many of our artists, it did not stifle their imagination," MFI organizers said. "Our filled-to-capacity program is a testament to their need to create. We believe these will be our best films yet, as this pent-up energy finds its way onto the screen."

The participants, who applied to the program earlier in the year, created 26 films throughout the two-week program at locations on the North Fork including Greenport High School, Kontakosta Winery, and private homes, with each acting student cast in two films. The final products will be screened at the Greenport movie theater on Sunday.

This year, MFI awarded two full directing scholarships to students of Asian descent. "These scholarships were donated to help raise the visibility of Asain voices and stories in film," MFI organizers said. This year’s recipients were Kunga Choephel and Emily Park; both students will be continuing their education at the film and media studies program at Purchase College.

Understanding the need to “transition back” after the pandemic, founders Spiridakis and Lisa Gillooly programmed a "scaled-down" version of events.

"The work has not changed but some of the events and screenings that were previously open to the public were private this year and the Annual North Fork Film Festival will reconvene in July 2022," organizers said.

The films are available to stream at the MFI website here.

“It is our desire to have a presence on the North Fork for many years to come to help revitalize the community by attracting established and emerging artists," Spiridakis said.

In addition, Spiridakis said he hopes to have MFI's Winter Film Series back at the Greenport Cinema this coming year.

On this year's MFI program, Spiridakis added: "It feels like we are all trying to come back to normal again. This program helps."