Three Day Film Festival Will Feature More than 75 Films Including Philip Seymour Hoffman’s “God’s Pocket,” Shot in Yonkers
YONKERS, NY – October 17, 2014 – Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano today announced the City will kick-off the second annual Yonkers Film Festival known as YoFi Fest this evening at the Riverfront Library. The festival, which opens tonight, Friday, October 17 at 7:00 pm with a Red Carpet Reception at the library, will feature more than 75 feature films, documentaries, shorts and student productions through Sunday, October 19.
Following the reception, YoFi Fest will premier IFC Film’s “God’s Pocket” which was filmed largely in Yonkers. “God’s Pocket”, which stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Christina Hendricks, Richard Jenkins, and John Turturro, shot several key scenes in Yonkers, including at Flower Funeral Home and on New Main Street.
“We’re so proud to host the second annual YoFi Fest Film Festival,” said Mayor Mike Spano. “Film and the arts are contributing to the growth of our economy and helping to redefine Yonkers as the best place to live, work and play.”
On Saturday, YoFi fest will feature Drafthouse Films’ “The Dog”, the real story of the bank robbers in “Dog Day Afternoon.” YoFi Fest will also host free programs for kids, family friendly films from KidsFilmFest, film workshops hosted by the Jacob Burns Film Center, and “mini film school” lectures and workshops on screenwriting, the animation process and the film business.
“The motto this year is ‘A little bit bigger and a little bit better,’” said Dave Steck, YoFi Fest’s executive director.
(View the complete YoFi Fest schedule | Ticket Information)
Mayor Spano hailed the success of the second annual YoFi Fest, which is expected to draw hundreds of filmgoers – as further proof that the City of Yonkers is solidifying its position as a top film destination in the region. Film Yonkers, the City’s Film Office, has so far issued more than 130 film permits in 2014, bringing in nearly $300,000 in revenue to the City – more revenue than 2012 and 2013 combined.
“God’s Pocket” is one of several feature films that has recently filmed in Yonkers, attracted by the City’s one-stop shop Film Office, film-friendly environment and proximity to New York City.
“We tried to shoot in Philadelphia but we didn’t have the money, so we found Yonkers,” John Slattery, who directed “God’s Pocket” recently told USA Today. “And the real benefit to that is that New York City is close by, and has these actors who are the best around.”
