By Maria Esteves – June 26, 2014 FIRST TIME FEST: The Second Time Around (FTF 2014) Gala Awards for extraordinary achievements in cinema by first time international filmmakers hosted by director of programming David Schwartz, First Time Fest, commenced Monday, April 7, 2014, 7:00pm at 42 West, New York. The Grand Prize Award presented by co-founders Johanna Bennett and Mandy Ward, First Time Fest, went to LOVE STEAKS, editor Gesa Jager accepted the award on behalf of director Jakob Lass....

By Maria Esteves – June 26, 2014 FIRST TIME FEST: The Second Time Around (FTF 2014) Gala Awards for extraordinary achievements in cinema by first time international filmmakers hosted by director of programming David Schwartz, First Time Fest, commenced Monday, April 7, 2014, 7:00pm at 42 West, New York. The Grand Prize Award presented by co-founders Johanna Bennett and Mandy Ward, First Time Fest, went to LOVE STEAKS, directed by Jakob Lass. The John Huston Award for outstanding achievem...

By Maria Esteves – June 22, 2014 First Time Fest 2014: The Second Time Around (FTF 2014) Opening Panel Women in Entertainment with celebrity panelists Brooke Shields, Carol Alt, Daphne Rubin-Vega and Rosie Perez moderated by Village Voice Anna Merilyn commenced Thursday, April 3, 5:00 PM at NeueHouse, New York. Presented by Royal Bank of Canada and hosted by NeueHouse, these amazing women discussed progress in recent years for women in the entertainment industry from working conditions a...

By Maria Esteves – June 22, 2014 First Time Fest 2014: The Second Time Around (FTF 2014) Opening Panel Women in Entertainment, with celebrity panelists Brooke Shields, Carol Alt, Daphne Rubin-Vega and Rosie Perez moderated by Village Voice Anna Merilyn was held at NeueHouse, New York, Thursday, April 3, 5:00 PM. Presented by Royal Bank of Canada and hosted by NeueHouse, these amazing women discussed progress in recent years for women in the entertainment industry from working conditions ...

By Maria Esteves – March 17, 2014 FIRST TIME FEST 2014 (FTF 2014), hosted by NeueHouse will be held at Loews Village VII Cinemas, New York, April 3-7, 2014. FTF 2014, the second time around will showcase twelve new international films by prominent filmmakers from around the world along with panel discussions, the John Huston Award for outstanding film achievement and FTF Grand Prize Award for theatrical distribution. FTF 2014 Opening and Closing films are PARIS IS BURNING (1990), directe...

By Maria Esteves – March 23, 2013 The Inaugural First Time Fest (FTF) 2013 Closing Night Awards honoring first-time filmmakers hosted by Award winning actress (Oscar, Emmy, Tony) Ellen Burstyn and presented by Anthony Rapp commenced Monday, March 4, 2013, 8:00 PM, at the historic Players Club, New York. Founded by Johanna Bennett and Mandy Ward, the festival presents directorial debuts from around the world with theatrical distribution, as it’s key element. This year&rsqu...

By Maria Esteves – March 21, 2013 The Inaugural First Time Fest (FTF) 2013 Closing Night Awards honoring first-time filmmakers hosted by Award winning actress (Oscar, Emmy, Tony) Ellen Burstyn and presented by Anthony Rapp commenced Monday, March 4, 2013, 8:00 PM, at the historic Players Club, New York. Founded by Johanna Bennett and Mandy Ward, the festival presents directorial debuts from around the world with theatrical distribution, as it’s key element. This year’s FT...

By Maria Esteves – March 21, 2013 The Inaugural First Time Fest (FTF) 2013 Closing Night Awards honoring first-time filmmakers hosted by Award winning (Oscar, Emmy, Tony) actress Ellen Burstyn and presented by Anthony Rapp commenced Monday, March 4, 2013, 8:00 PM, at the historic Players Club, New York. Founded by Johanna Bennett and Mandy Ward, the festival presents directorial debuts from around the world with theatrical distribution, as it’s key element. The Inaugural First Time...