Happy Anniversary Gen Art Film Festival

Today marks the start of one of our favorite weeks in NYC. It’s time once again for the Gen Art Film Festival presented by Acura, and this one is sure to be big because it marks the 15^th anniversary of the cultural event.

From now until next Tuesday, April 17, the creative minds who have been defining our zeitgeist since 1996 will deliver on their annual theme of “7 Premieres and 7 Parties,” where the format shows seven feature films and seven shorts from up-and-coming filmmakers, followed by seven after-parties at some of our favorite NY nightspots, like Avenue, SL The Park and Hudson Terrace.

Tonight fans will be flocking to the Ziegfeld Theatre to see the writing and directing debut of Josh Radner in happythankyoumoreplease. If his win at Sundance for the audience award is any indication, this is one not to miss. Radner, of How I Met Your Mother fame, stars in the film along with Malin Akerman, Kate Mara, Tony Hale, Pablo Schreiber, and Zoe Kazan. While the plot description of “focusing on several 20-something relationships in the city,” doesn’t sound that innovative, it wouldn’t have made it past the GAFF selection committee if it were passé. If you haven’t got your tickets yet, too bad, because it is already sold out; in fact, The Wild Hunt, which premieres on Sunday will be your first chance to attend if you haven’t already secured your entry because everything from now through Saturday is sold out.

Fashion-savvy film buffs might also want to pay attention to Tanner Hall, showing on Monday, April 12, because it will be the co-directorial debut for Tatiana von Furstenberg, and yes, we do mean that von Furstenberg (how many others could there be?); Tatiana is the daughter of our favorite wrap-dress wizard.

“Our programming process uncovered perhaps the most promising batch of new films in years.  In celebration of our 15th year, we have curated a slate that is perfect for our core Gen Art audience of young, thoughtful tastemakers who seek to satiate their hunger for culture through support of new talent,” said Film Division Senior Vice President, Jeffrey Abramson.

“Gen Art is extremely excited to be celebrating this anniversary with our long-time film festival partner Acura – who has been our co-host for 8 years now. For Gen Art, the festival marks a benchmark in our history: a great opportunity for us to both look back at our accomplishments and to look forward to what we see as a very bright future,” said Gen Art CEO/Co-Founder Ian Gerard.

Kevin Bacon, whose film Loverboy opened the 2005 GAFF told the media that, “Gen Art inspires me as a filmmaker. It is so exciting to share something with a really young, super hip audience.”

Here’s the schedule for the coming week:

4/7: happythankyou…SOLD OUT

4/8: Waiting for Forever SOLD OUT

4/9: Elektra Luxx SOLD OUT

4/10: Teenage Paparazzo SOLD OUT

4/11: FREE Shorts Screening

4/11: The Wild Hunt

4/12: Tanner Hall

Closing Night: Mercy