It's Me, Matthew!

SPOILER ALERT RADIO: 88.1 FM

MICHAEL — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 03:27:30 +0000

Check out an interview with Michael Ferreira, on Spoiler Alert Radio: 88.1 FM, on that aired on Wednesday, September 16th.

Click pic below to visit site:

Also, we have just been officially accepted into The Gay and Lesbian Long Island Film Festival, November 13, 2009 @ 5:30pm. Moreover, Carmella Cann will be the mistress of ceremonies. Furthermore, we will have a screening on Thursday, November 12th at Clearview Cinemas: Chelsea Classics, 260 West 23rd Street, New York City, NY 10011. Show Time 7pm Stay posted for details!

Carmella Cann Interviews Filmmakers @ R.I.I.F.F.

MICHAEL — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 05:04:38 +0000

Check out the Carmella Cann interviews with filmmakers on our panel at The Rhode Island International Film Festival.

Click here to view the embedded video. Click here to view the embedded video.

Providence GLBT Film Festival: Films, Music, and Drag!

MICHAEL — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 06:25:53 +0000

As we wrap up the 2009 Rhode Island International Film Festival, in Rhode Island’s neo-classical city of Providence, we are grateful that the award-winning It’s Me, Matthew! was one of 235 films chosen, out of 3,400 submitted. The Rhode Island International Film Festival was the sixth festival showing of our film which showcased along with some of the most heart felt and passionate films from around the globe; countries such as India, China, England and the USA. The roster of films at Bell Chapel Theater included: The Single Mother, Astoria-Queens, Flight to Sinai, The Queen, and It’s Me, Matthew! which were poignant tales of the coming of age and challenges of gay youth.

The audience seemed awed and overwhelmed by It’s Me Matthew! They were so moved by our story that some approached me after the Q&A and said, “May I give you a hug?” During the Q&A, Samson, leader of the local GLBT youth was recognized by Carmella Cann, for having the courage to be true to himself as a female to male transsexual/drag king performer at the age of seventeen.

After the screening, we all went to the beautiful Federal Reserve Building for the after party where actors Doris Roberts, Jerry Stiller, Earnest Borgnine and Ann Meara were honored for the completion of their newest film. Carmella was received like a queen by Jerry Stiller and his daughter Amy Stiller, who made her feel extremely welcome. She was photographed with both Mr. Stiller and Mr. Borgnine at this spectacular party!

The festival staff were extremely hospitable and helpful in making all filmmakers feel welcome. Team members in attendance were Neil Stephens, Melissa Russo, Carmella Cann, Stephaun de Paul, and Scott Liff.

Thank you to R.I.I.F.F. and our team for making all this possible.

Michael Ferreira

New York to Rhode Island

MICHAEL — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 22:21:03 +0000

It’s Me, Matthew! will be screening this year at the 13th Providence GLBT Film Festival. hosted by: Carmella Cann. The screening will take place Friday, August 7,2009 at the Bell Street Chapel, 5 Bell Street, off of Broadway. Show Time 7pm Tickets $10.00

For this months blog, I have asked our Fisrt A.D., Stephaun de Paul, to share his thoughts with everyone on going to the Rhode Island International Film Festival. This is what he had to say!

(Picture By: Pawel Woznick. Left to right: Stephaun de Paul, Michael Ferreira, and Thomas M. Harlan)

This is thrilling, we’re On The Road to Rhode Island. If Hope and Crosby had ever made an Indie Short, this would be the story: struggling actor, Michael Ferriera, stops struggling and makes a film in his backyard (well, his kitchen, actually) and travels to Rhode Island with his favorite femme fatale, Carmella Cann, where there’s a lot of snow (well, it’s summer, actually) who winds up on a big stage in a barn (well, in a theatre, actually) hosting a night of a thousand stars! After a lot of drama and misunderstanding and a big, sweeping dance scene, Michael and Carmella fall hopelessly in love and live happily ever after (well, not for ever, actually). After living with Carmella for a few years in their Soho apartment, Michael meets Oscar, and they live really happily ever after. The End (well, just the beginning, actually)!

And this minor player witnessed the whole thing. I couldn’t have gained any more than I did than by watching from the wings and helping both Michael and Carmella, in a very small way, shine as brightly as they do in the heart-wrenching, “It’s Me, Matthew!” On set and in the editing room, we logged a lot of happy hours, and the result is a labor of love. Kudos to Michael and Matthew. Let’s take Rhode Island by storm and have a white Christmas (well, spring, actually). And the award goes to…

Gratefully,

Stephaun de Paul (First AD… Well, that doesn’t cover it, actually, but it’s the best we could do.)

13th Annual Rhode Island International Film Festival

MICHAEL — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 04:41:04 +0000

I am excited to share some great news! We have been officially accepted into the 13^th Annual Rhode Island International Film Festival, and “R.I.I.F.F. is one of the top 10 Short Film Festivals in the United States.” according to Chris Gore, The Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide, 2nd ed.

To add to the honor, Carmella Cann will be hosting this year’s festival, which takes place August 4-9, 2009 in Providence, Rhode Island. More details to follow soon.

“It’s Me, Matthew!” NYC VIP Premier

MICHAEL — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 17:03:17 +0000

Tony Sawicki, correspondent and producer of “Under the Pink Carpet” posted this video on youtube.com. Please keep watching through the promo of Dish Miss, for footage interviews which aired on the show “Under the Pink Carpet.” that cover our VIP cast and crew screening party of Its Me, Matthew! Check it out and stay posted for more to follow.

Click here to view the embedded video.

New York City Debut: Anthology Film Archives

MICHAEL — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 03:20:09 +0000

It was great to have It’s Me, Matthew! screened at the New York City Anthology Film Archives, which has been around since the 1970’s. Our film screened with three other short films to a packed house which seats 187 people. In attendance were fellow team members: Michael Musto, Eric Wilke, Melissa Russo, Michael LaVoie, Stephaun St. Paul, and Louise Devery. I am extremely grateful and thankful to have shared this moment with many friends and colleagues, and proud to have debuted in my home town. I was very pleased with the turn out at the film festival and was happy to celebrate with cast, crew, friends, and fans at the after party across the street at DTOX where the film was screened once again. Please check back for further news.

The Third Annual International Think Short Film Festival

MICHAEL — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 20:12:33 +0000

On Friday, August 15^th I was unable to attend The Third Annual International Think Short Film Festival, due to being at The North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. Antonia Kasper, our Associate Producer and actress Kelsey Ruvolo represented It’s Me, Matthew! She reported back that the festival was at Think Coffee Shop, catering to the Greenwich Village and New York University community. The festival programmer Sarah Riley, introduced each film and has been hosting this event for the past three years. The festival showed a series of short films from 5 to 20 minutes in length, mostly from a variety of foreign filmmakers. Thank you to Sarah Riley and Think Film Festival for showing It’s Me, Matthew! as a work in progress, in the various presentations on film.

Have a great Labor Day weekend and check back Sept. 8th for our next BLOG posting.

Southern Comfort: North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Film Festival

MICHAEL — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 05:09:07 +0000

I just got back from the North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, in Durham, North Carolina, where It’s Me, Matthew! made it’s North Carolina premier. I have to say I had a great time, for we were well received. Four out of five screenings were sold out.

The North Carolina community was very united and many came out to support the festival. The festival included notable political, business, and community leaders; who have been supportive of the festival from its inception. A special guest of the festival was North Carolina’s own, Randy Jones, of the “Village People” who I had the pleasure of reminiscing about our previous award presentation experience in New York City. The festival has been around for thirteen years and from what I have heard, each year it grows stronger. I highly recommend this festival to anyone, for my experience was positive. Everyone enjoyed the diverse filmmakers and the various presentations on film. Its obvious that the festival organizers provide something that the community enjoys attending, royally attending! They’ve put a lot of effort over the years and it shows. For a non metropolitan area as we understand it, the attendees relished and appreciated the variety of films and situations that were presented for their enrichment and enjoyment.

It was great to see It’s Me, Matthew! on the big screen in an actual theater. The film was included in a series of short films called, ”Queen with The Teetering Tiara” mostly comedies, which built up people’s emotions from comedy to drama in a way of bringing about an emotional roller coaster, which just captured everyone’s complete attention. After every screening the other filmmakers and I did a Q&A. The filmmakers in my panel were Jerry Blackburn, producer of Cooking with Kay ,and Jeffery Moore, actor and director of What the Frock; they provided their experience of the making of each of their films and background as a filmmaker. The audience was fantastic and the festival representatives made me feel extremely welcome and accommodated. The people were very sharp and inquisitive and wanted to learn more. In light of the comments passed, people embraced the massage as their own.

Great News! We have been officially accepted into The New Filmmakers Film Festival at the Anthology Film Center, at 32 Second Ave, NYC, NY 10009, on Wednesday, September 17^th screening time: 7pm

WINNER- WHIFF 2008 SPECIAL JUROR AWARD, BEST SHORT DRAMA

MICHAEL — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 04:08:12 +0000

Due to a conflict in schedule, I was unable to attend The West Hollywood International Film Festival screening. It’s Me, Matthew! Was represented by Mel England, (starring in the upcoming feature film Little Big Top, premiering nationwide in theaters and DVD October 31, 2008) He attended the screening with Here TV and Air America Radio Reporter and Correspondent, Harrison. On Monday, Martin De Luca, the director of the West Hollywood Film Festival let me know It’s Me, Matthew! Won WHIFF 2008 SPECIAL JUROR AWARD, BEST SHORT DRAMA. Thank you so much to the West Hollywood International Film Festival; moreover, this is what Mel reported about the screening.

LOS ANGELES, August 1, 2008 – “IT’S ME, MATTHEW!” had its LA screening at the WEST HOLLYWOOD INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL! Celebrity judges included Directors ARMAND MASTOIANNI (THE CELESTINE PROPHECY), PAUL LYNCH (THE KEEPER starring DENNIS HOPPER).

It was awesome to see it on the big screen in Hollywood… of course it’s every filmmaker’s wet dream… so we were bummed Michael Ferreira couldn’t make it, but he had to shoot a feature film in New York, written by Raymond Pettibon … It would have been great if he were here! He would have been so proud, and I could tell the audience was moved — they were like literally spellbound… They were glued to the screen and you could here a pin drop during the film’s screening.

I’m thrilled just to be representing Michael’s amazing work at the festival. We’ve known each other personally and professionally in NY for about 10 years… we worked in a play together… So for me, the chance to help Michael with this project is personal. His courage and talent is really inspiring… Just to tell this story helps to break down walls of prejudice — and that creates space for the next generation to be a better place, we hope.

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Mentioned

It’s Me, Matthew! (Part of the shorts program “Queen with the Teetering Tiara”) ”Filmmaker Michael Ferreira plays the title role of Matthew in this short based on a true story. Matthew’s discussion with a therapist (played by Michael Musto) reveals the life experiences that motivate Matthew and make him who he is. Ferreira makes skillful use of the flashback technique.” By Cliff Bellam, The Herald Sun- Aug. 8, 2008.

Check out our screenings next week at The North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Film Festival “Queen with the Teetering Tiara” August 14-17th. http://festivals.carolinatheatre.org/ncglff/films/

Friday, Aug. 15th

Think Coffee, 248 Mercer Street, NYC NY 10012