Special Events

Opening Night Celebration & Movie

May 17 @ 6:30 pm
Thomas Morahan Waterfront Park,
5 Windermere Ave, Greenwood Lake, NY

Tickets $35

This Opening Night Party & Ceremony includes numerous Celebrity Guests and:

Mingle with the stars and the world’s most cutting edge Officially Selected Filmmakers at a closed, elegant, extravaganza red carpet event & cocktail hour. Includes complimentary top-shelf hors d’oeuvres/desserts and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as specially discounted cocktails.

Shortly, the 2019 Recipient of HIFF’s Lifetime Achievement Award in Acting Will be Announced…HIFF’s 2018 award was personally accepted by Academy Award, Emmy & Golden Globe Winner LOUIS GOSSETT JR (An Officer and a Gentleman, Diggstown, Iron Eagle, “Roots”). A tribute video honoring Mr. Gossett’s extraordinary career was played directly before the award presentation.

Hosted by hilarious comedian Buddy Fitzpatrick

Worldwide premiere screening of A KARATE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE…Starring Mario Del Vecchio, Julie McCullough, Mila Milosovic, Eric Roberts, Martin Kove, and Buddy Fitzpatrick, A KARATE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE is an inspirational, thrill-ride family Christmas movie…Written/produced by Kenneth Del Vecchio and written/directed by Julie Kimmel…See Trailer Here

After his father disappeared during a mass shooting on Christmas Day one year earlier, 10-year-old, precocious Jesse Genesis creates a “12 Days of Christmas List” of tasks. If he completes them all, including teaching himself to become a karate black belt, he believes his father will return on Christmas. Jesse’s sophisticated, workaholic mother, Abby, believes her husband was lost in the shooting, but has a glimmer of hope through visions that Jesse reports to her. After Abby enlists the aid of an eccentric psychic-turned-law professor, a roller coaster thriller ensues, where the trio unravel a mystery that no one expected – and maybe, just maybe witness the delivery of a miracle that can only happen on Christmas.

Gala Awards Ceremony

May 23 @ 6:30 pm
Thomas Morahan Waterfront Park,
5 Windermere Ave, Greenwood Lake, NY

Tickets $35
One of the Nation’s Hottest Awards Ceremonies, this Event & Party features numerous Celebrity Guests and:

*Mingle with the stars and the world’s most cutting edge Officially Selected Filmmakers at a closed, elegant, extravaganza red carpet event & cocktail hour. Includes complimentary top-shelf hors d’oeuvres/desserts and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as specially discounted cocktails.

*Hosted by superstar stand-up comedian GILBERT GOTTFRIED(.Problem Child; Aladdin; “Saturday Night Live”)

*2019 HIFF Excellence in Acting Award Recipient TBA Shortly…The 2018 award was personally accepted by Grammy Winner TIA CARRERE (True Lies; Wayne’s World; Lilo & Stitch)

*2019 HIFF Lifetime Achivement Award in Writing Recipient TBA Shortly…The 2018 award was personally accepted by Legendary Screenwriter KAREN McCULLAH(Legally Blonde; Ella Enchanted; 10 Things I hate About You;The House Bunny)

*Celebrity & Industry Personnel Award Presenters

*Live Award Presentations to the World’s Leading Independent Filmmakers and Actors

*Clips from all Nominated Films in all Categories

*All the Excitement and Glamor you see at the Oscars!