Star-Studded Lineup at 2018 Gold Coast International Film Festival Nov. 2-13

The 2018 Gold Coast International Film Festival presents an impressive array of films including the L.I. premiere of Diane, the “Best Narrative” winner at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival plus dozens of independent, foreign, documentary, comedy, drama, animation, family-friendly and film noir films from 22 countries.

This year’s Festival launches on Friday, Nov. 2 with the L.I. premiere of Deconstructing the Beatles: Magical Mystery Tour.  A live Q&A follows the film featuring internationally recognized Beatles expert, musicologist, and creator of the film, Scott Freiman, along with a concert by Beatles cover band, Penny Lane. Proceeds from this event benefit the Gold Coast Arts Center’s Arts-in-Education Outreach and scholarship programs.  Deconstructing the Beatles: Magical Mystery Tour is screening on Friday, Nov. 2 at 7:00 p.m. at the Bow Tie Squire Cinemas, 115 Middle Neck Rd., Great Neck.

Diane will screen on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, at 7:30 p.m. at the Soundview Cinemas in Port Washington. In one of the finest performances by an American actress this year, Mary Kay Place stars in this moving portrait and character study of a widowed woman, who overextends herself trying to take care of her family and friends, while dealing with a drug-addicted son. The film, which was awarded “Best Narrative Feature” at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival, is executive produced by Martin Scorcese and directed by Kent Jones, Director of the New York Film Festival. 

Other standout films and events at this year’s festival include the following, each followed by a filmmaker and special guest Q&A:

• Song of Back and Neck , the charming romantic comedy starring (and directed by) Paul Lieberstein (Toby from “The Office”), who will join us via Skype for a Q&A after the film. Song of Back and Neck will screen on Saturday, Nov.10, at 7:30 p.m. at the Soundview Cinemas, Port Washington;
• Howard, the intimate and moving tribute to legendary lyricist Howard Ashman of Disney, Hollywood, and Broadway fame. Ashman’s sister Sarah Ashman Gillespie, and his partner Bill Lauch will join us for a Q&A after the film. Howard will screen on Monday, Nov. 12, at 7:30 p.m. at the Soundview Cinemas, Port Washington;
• Heading Home: The Tale of Team Israel, winner of several festival audience awards, about the stirring underdog triumph of Israel’s national baseball team at the 2017 World Baseball Classic. Director Jeremy Newberger will join us for a Q&A after the film.  Heading Home will be presented on Sunday, Nov. 11, at 4:30 p.m. at the Bow Tie Squire Cinemas, Great Neck;
• Budapest Noir, a classically styled film noir that reimagines the dark side of pre-war Hungary based on the internationally best-selling book. Noted film scholar and author Foster Hirsch will join us for a discussion after the film. Budapest Noir screens on Monday, Nov. 12, at 7:30 p.m. at the Bow Tie Squire Cinemas, Great Neck.
• Sinatra in Palm Springs, a warm, entertaining look at The Chairman of the Board’s attachment to his hometown of 50 years. Q&A with director Leo Zahn will follow the film. Sinatra in Palm Springs will screen on Wednesday, Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m. at the Bow Tie Manhasset Theater, Manhasset;  
• Bathtubs Over Broadway, winner of this year’s Tribeca Film Festival’s “Albert Maysles New Documentary Director Award.” This musical comedy documentary delves into the strange and hilarious world of industrial musicals — Broadway-style productions made for some of corporate America’s largest companies’ annual sales meetings. Film star Steve Young will join us for a Q&A after the film. Bathtubs Over Broadway will screen on Saturday, Nov. 10, at 7:00 p.m. at the Soundview Cinemas, Port Washington.

For tickets to all screenings and events visit www.goldcoastfilmfestival.org.