Manhattan Film Institute’s 5th Annual North Fork Summer Workshop To Feature Celebrity Readings, Free to Public

GREENPORT, NY - Aspiring filmmakers and actors will once again head to Greenport for the Manhattan Film Institute's 5th Annual North Fork Summer Workshop series.

The program takes place Sunday through July 24 and now offers expanded course offerings including cinematography, acting and directing.

The public can enjoy the organization’s star-studded East End stay by taking part in three free celebrity Q&A screenings being hosted by Peconic Landing.

During each screening an actor, writer or director from the film will be onhand to answer questions from the audience.

Founded by writer, actor and producer Tony Spiridakis and his partner Lisa Gillooly, The Manhattan Film Institute is a "boutique conservatory that pairs world-class faculty with aspiring film professionals, helping to mentor the next generation of filmmakers", a release from Peconic Landing said.

Classes take place at Peconic Landing’s Brecknock Hall, with scenes being shot throughout the Village of Greenport.

The participants, chosen by the Institute earlier this year, will be creating more than 26 short films throughout the two-week program, with each acting student being cast in two films.

Their work will then be screened for the first time at the Greenport Movie Theater on Sunday, July 24 at 10 a.m. The screenings are open to the public and are also free.

This season, students will have the opportunity to learn from professionals with extensive film and television credentials, including Bob Krakower, Chazz Palminteri, Wendy Makkena, Bill Finkelstein, Shannon Goldman, Tony Goldwyn and founder Tony Spiridakis.

“Hosting the program on the North Fork means that we get to bring world-class artists to our idyllic corner of the world,” said Spiridakis, who grew up spending summers in East Marion. “To have members of our community join MFI students in classes, seminars and screenings, it makes us feel that we are something back to the place we call home.”

Three celebrity screenings featuring live Q&A sessions will take place throughout the week at the Peconic Landing Community Center and are open to the public and free to all:

• Marcia Gay Harden will screen “Pollock” on Saturday, July 16 at 7:30 p.m. Harden won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for portraying Lee Krasner, Pollock’s wife.

• Bobby Moresco will screen “The Graduate” on Thursday, July 21 at 7:30 p.m. Moresco is an Academy Award Winner for "Crash" and "Million Dollar Baby".

• Chazz Palminteri will screen “Analyze This” on Saturday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m.. Palminteri stars in the film with stars Robert De Niro and Billy Crystal.

While the screenings are free, public registration is required. To register, click here.

”We are honored to host the Manhattan Film Institute and provide an outlet for aspiring actors and filmmakers to pursue their talents,” said Peconic Landing president and CEO Robert J. Syron. “I invite the members of our community to join us for the celebrity screenings and support these students as they unveil their hard work.”

Each year, MFI and Peconic Landing team up to award a scholarship to a local aspiring filmmaker. This year’s scholarship winner is Carter Montgomery of Mattituck High School. For students such as Carter, participating in the North Fork summer program serves as a springboard, helping young people to garner experience that will expedite admission to top film schools in the country, organizers said.

“When we find a young local artist like Carter, who reaches for the heights, who cannot afford to join us, and who lives on the North Fork, we want to make it happen, and it would not be possible without the support and partnership of Peconic Landing,” said Spiridakis. “The fact that his films were not only good but clearly inspired by excellent films and filmmakers made us believe he was a young man who could do well in this profession.”

To donate to the scholarship program for aspiring young actors and filmmakers, click here and hit the "Donate Now" button on the MFI home page.