Before the gala festivities began inside the Rapids Theatre, the Niagara Falls International Film Festival began the opening ceremonies out on the sidewalk with a ribbon cutting ceremony commemorating the first two stars that will help to create the Niagara Falls Walk of Fame just outside the Niagara Falls State Park (the oldest state park in the United States).
Last year during the inaugural NFIFF Niagara Falls native and costume designer Mark Bridges and four time Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Cheryl Boone Isaacs were presented with the first two stars for the upcoming Walk of Fame.
Cheryl Boone Isaacs was on had for the ribbon cutting ceremonies.
Once inside the theatre and the walking of the red carpet, publicist John Wildman served as host the for awards presentations.
The gala event opened with a performance by Mikaela Astel who at 14 made it to the top 10 on season 16 of “The Voice” as a part of Team Kelly.
After welcoming remarks by NFIFF Founder and President Bill Cowell, City of Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster spoke to the crowd on future plans for the city and read a proclamation naming September 18 as Niagara Falls International Film Festival Day.
John Wildman announced that Niagara Falls native Janel Tanna is the official Ambassador for the NFIFF.
Answering a request from Make-A-Wish, the NFIFF invited Drake who wants to be a filmmaker to the Festival.
Screenwriter, director, and producer Stanley Isaacs presented the Icon of Cinema Award to filmmaker Samuel Fuller. Fuller’s widow Christa and daugher Samantha accepted the posthumous award for Fuller who died in 1997.
As a former Motion Picture Academy president, Cheryl Boone Isaacs knows well the work done by actors. She presented the Legacy Award to long time actor Louis Gossett Jr who after winning both a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for his role as the drill Sargent in “An Officer and a Gentleman” said that he was overwhelmed with the honour.
Following a film clip that barely touched on his many accomplishments and roles, Gossett and Isaacs had a one on one chat about Gossett’s life and career. Gossett spoke on the importance of telling our stories; adding that the more we learn about each other, the more we learn we are the same.
The New York City native never intended to be an actor but after getting his start on Off-Broadway and later Broadway, he decided to make it his career. As a child he dreamed of being a professional athlete or a doctor. And at 83 years old, Gossett shows no signs of slowing down; in fact, he has a number of projects in the works.
For the final presentation of the night, Christa and Samantha Fuller joined Isaacs and Gossett on the stage for the unveiling of the two newest stars to be a part of the Walk of Fame.
