By Maria Esteves - August 13, 2010

The New York City International Film Festival (NYCIFF) 2010, founded by Roberto Rizzo celebrated it's Opening Night Gala Inauguration at the New World Stages Theatre, Thursday, August 12, 6:00 PM. The New York City Premiere of WHEN I RISE, directed by Mat Hames, immediately followed a special performance by master percussionist Larry McDonald, Drum Fusion Records. Founder/president Roberto Rizzo and New York City Commissioner on Human Rights Patricia L. Gatling presented the 2010

NYCIFF Lifetime Achievement Award to Barbara Smith Conrad, a virtuous awe-inspiring mezzo-soprano extraordinaire! 

2010 NYCIFF runs from August 12-19, 2010. Cine Argentino in New York presented by NYCIFF commence August 17-19 at the New World Theatre. NYCIFF Opening Night Gala arrivals included international filmmakers, dignitaries, producers, sponsors, celebrity guests, and industry professionals.

2010 NYCIFF Opening Night Gala: founder/president Roberto
Rizzo, center, with commissioner and chair Patricia L. Gatling,
New York City Commissioner on Human Rights, left, and
2010 NYCIFF Lifetime Achievement Award recipient
Barbara Conrad Smith, NYC Premiere WHEN I RISE.

2010 NYCIFF Opening Night Gala: 2010 NYCIFF
Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Barbara
Conrad Smith, NYC Premiere WHEN I RISE.

2010 NYCIFF Opening Night Gala: 2010 NYCIFF Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Barbara Conrad Smith, NYC Premiere WHEN I RISE, left, with guests Taylor and Alison Bolshoi.

2010 NYCIFF Opening Night Gala: 2010 NYCIFF Lifetime Achievement
Award recipient Barbara Conrad Smith, NYC Premiere WHEN I RISE,
center, with president/founder Daniel J. Stratton, right, and his wife
Ann Stratton, Provision Network.

2010 NYCIFF Opening Night Gala: actor Brandon Hannan,
TAUGHT TO HATE.

2010 NYCIFF Opening Night Gala: actor Dominick Mancino,
LIFE ON MARS, left, with John Thomas, JT Talent Casting.

2010 NYCIFF Opening Night Gala: from left-right, founder/president NYCIFF Roberto Rizzo, with John Thomas, JT Talent Casting, actor Steve Dash TRUST ME, actress Iliana Guibert, and producer Rick Borgia, Dream Xtreme Productions.

2010 NYCIFF Opening Night Gala: from left-right, director Jonny Von Golden, writer Melissa Green, actresses Segal Bengigi, Bianca Bovet,
and actor Scott Friend, BROOKLYN CAMERA CLUB.

2010 NYCIFF Opening Night Gala: from left-right, founder, president Roberto Rizzo, Caroline Johnson (Roberto Rizzo’s wife), and commissioner and chair Patricia L. Gatling, New York City Commissioner on Human Rights.

2010 NYCIFF Opening Night Gala: from left-right, writer/producer/director, Thomas Churchill, EMERGING PAST, actor Dominick Mancino, LIFE ON MARS, John Thomas, JT Talent Casting, NYCIFF reporter (female center), producer Rick Borgia, Dream Xtreme Productions, actors Steve Dash TRUST ME, and Al Burgo.

2010 NYCIFF Opening Night Gala: founder, president
Roberto Rizzo, presents Barbara Conrad Smith with
2010 NYCIFF Lifetime Achievement Award repicient,
NYC Premiere WHEN I RISE.

2010 NYCIFF Opening Night Gala: founder/president Roberto Rizzo,
left, and commissioner and chair Patricia L. Gatling New York City Commissioner on Human Rights, presents Barbara Conrad Smith with
2010 NYCIFF Lifetime Achievement Award, NYC Premiere WHEN I RISE.

2010 NYCIFF Opening Night Gala: 2010 NYCIFF Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Barbara Conrad Smith, NYC Premiere WHEN I RISE, center, with
Nancy and Bob Inman.