After months of preparation and anticipation, the Greenwich International Film Festival kicked off Thursday with 15 screenings and our Opening Night Party, held at the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich.
After the two opening night films, festival guests arrived to our incredible venue via Uber, the official transportation partner of GIFF.
Guests walked the red carpet and then were ushered to the party and met by GIFF’s sponsors and local businesses showcasing amazing food and beverages. Sugarfina treated our guests with unlimited candy, adding oomph to an already energized room.
Our NEBCO VIP Lounge guests had the pleasure to meet John Popper and Kristin Davis while enjoying our signature cocktail, the #gifftini, provided by Absolute Elyx.
Dar Williams’ music was featured in our Opening Night Documentay Feature Film THE ANTHROPOLOGIST, so it was truly amazing that she was able to then share it with us at the party.
John Popper got everyone singing along as he performed some classic Blues Traveler hits as well as some original songs. In true John Popper fashion, he absolutely killed his performance.
About halfway through the night, GIFF Founders Colleen deVeer and Wendy Reyes and GIFF Programmer Rachel Langus introduced COO Ginger Stickel and the panel of Jurors. After everyone lined up on the stage, Kristen Davis, famously known for her role as Charlotte in Sex in the City and the festival’s Head of Social Impact Jury, came on stage to speak about the importance of filmmakers using their voice to create social changes through film.
Kristen Davis, Head of the Social Impact Jury, joined GIFF’s founders Colleen deVeer and Wendy Reyes on stage to present the 2016 Social Impact award recipient, HOOLIGAN SPARROW.
The recipients of the 2016 festival prizes were announced at the Opening Night Party. GIFF is proud to present the following winners with cash prizes. Thank you to the Bill and Ann Bresnan Foundation for generously underwriting the Best Social Impact Film Award. Thank you to Kate and Jim Clark for generously underwriting the Best Documentary Short and Best Narrative Short Awards.
– Best Social Impact- HOOLIGAN SPARROW
– Best Narrative Feature- LITTLE MEN
– Best Documentary Feature- HOOLIGAN SPARROW
– Best Narrative Short- BEFORE THE BOMB
– Best Documentary Short- ANOTHER KIND OF GIRL
Thank you to all of our sponsors for the Opening Night Party including Betteridge, Stella Artois, WhoSay, NEBCO, Moffly Media, Hollywood Pop, Absolut Elyx, Sugarfina, and Uber.
Thank you to our restaurant partners: Barcelona, Bartaco, DeCicco & Sons Events & Cuisine, Donut Crazy, Fortina, HooDoo Brown Barbeque, and Match.
