by Larry Richman
October 23, 2006 4:52 PM

One of the highlights of this year's Hamptons Film Festival was the "Rising Stars" program and its focus on emerging talent. According to festival organizers, "The Rising Stars program is the first major U.S. film festival program to focus on the generous and creative expression that emerging actors bring to the production of independent film."

These "Rising Stars" were guests of honor at a succession of luncheons, parties, receptions, roundtables, and personal appearances. They included Carmen Chaplin (Day on Fire), Matt Davis (Mentor), Dagmara Dominczyk (Mentor), Noah Fleiss (Day on Fire), Mido Hamada (The Situation), Sandra Hueller (Requiem), Robert Altman, and Ellen Burstyn.

Among other honors, this group was chosen to be presenters at the Golden Starfish Awards, Saturday night at Guild Hall. This star-studded event was only open to filmmakers and their "posses," as characterized by host Bob Balaban. I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with them at several of the above events, and was seated next to Noah Fleiss at the Awards ceremony. Noah couldn't have been a nicer guy -- gracious, down-to-earth, and lighthearted. Here are a couple of pictures from the show.

Click the thumbnails to enlarge pictures



MC Bob Balaban, Noah Fleiss and me (grainy indie look and normal)