Albany Film Fest focuses on the immigrant experience

Happy Tuesday, Capital Region! Today, we’re taking a look at what’s in focus for this year’s Albany Film Festival.

You might notice that we’re making some slight tweaks to our look, including a revamped weather section—thanks for the suggestions, y’all! Cappie 🦫 🧡 🫵 

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

Albany Film Festival shines a light on the stories that matter

Taking place this Saturday, the 5th annual Albany Film Festival celebrates storytelling in cinema—with a heavy focus this year on the immigrant experience in America.

“Every film begins with a story,” says Paul Grondahl, director of the New York State Writers Institute, based at UAlbany. “This festival is an opportunity to tell these important stories, especially given the current political environment. We also really wanted to highlight our alums.”

Indeed, the one-day film fest will bring together some of the biggest talents to come out of UAlbany, including Gregory Maguire, who wrote “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West,” which was developed into the hit Broadway musical and film; “Desperately Seeking Susan” director Susan Seidelman; Tony-nominated playwright Sharon Washington; and actor Frank Whaley.

Among this year’s batch of featured films, we’ve got our eye on “The Neighborhood That Disappeared,” a doc that explores how the making of the Empire State Plaza in the 1960s displaced thousands of immigrant households in Albany’s multi-ethnic South End, particularly Italian families.

“I’m not sure the city ever recovered from it,” Paul says. “Some people who had been living there for 50 years were uprooted by the state through eminent domain. There’s an anger there that will never go away.”

Written, directed and produced by Mary Paley, the film premiered a decade ago, but many of us have never seen it—and definitely not on the big screen. Read Paul’s Times Union profile on the film’s backstory.

We’re also hoping to catch “The Flagmakers,” a documentary on the immigrants who produce the American flags at the country’s largest flag factory. There’s also “Cajita,” an intimate story of an immigrant who ships himself to America by crate; “When My Sleeping Dragon Woke,” about a little girl who lives in a custodial apartment in a New York Public Library with her father; a slate of excellent short films, and the 40th anniversary screening of “Desperately Seeking Susan.”

Unlike most of its counterparts, the Albany Film Festival is totally free to attend. Check the full schedule of events here. All screenings and talks take place on the main UAlbany campus at 1400 Washington Ave, in Campus Center West.

Every featured film will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers, including Mary Paley of “The Neighborhood That Disappeared.”

🛟 Story update: Kos, the Norwegian-inspired floating sauna coming to Saratoga Lake that we profiled back in February, just launched its Indiegogo campaign. Donors will get their pick of perks, including sauna sessions and private bookings. Btw, Saratoga Living just featured Kos in their magazine, but y’all heard about it here first b/c you’re awesome subscribers 🤣 Wanna learn more? On April 8, meet founders Kate and Bjørnar at Lago by Druthers.

🦞 Restaurant rundown: 

• Cousins Maine Lobster is rolling into the Capital Region—literally, with a food truck making stops in Clifton Park, Whitehall, Kinderhook & East Greenbush. Check the truck schedule here. [News10]

• Ilium Brewing Co. will have its grand opening on Friday in Troy, at 410 Fulton St.

• After 20 years in business, MezzaNotte Ristorante in Guilderland is closing next month because owner Connie Ware is retiring. [Albany Business Review]

• Annabel’s Pizza Co. in Schenectady is also closing, at the end of this month, the restaurant announced on Facebook.

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Our full weekend roundup publishes on Thursday! Keep an eye on your inbox.

🖼️ Today at 5:30p, collector Pierre Brooks joins artist Osi Audu for a walk through of his solo exhibition at Opalka Gallery, Osi Audu: The Self in African Art.

🎙️ Tonight at 7p, Troy’s Song City invites you to their monthly Open Floor, where each participant brings an original song to share.

🎭️ On Thursday, Opera Saratoga’s Pasta and Puccini celebrates the Carnival in Venice with a night of fine food, arias and fun with masks.

🎥 See the full schedule of events for Saturday’s Albany Film Festival.

🍎 This weekend, Cohoes Music Hall puts on Schoolhouse Rock LIVE! Relive those classic Saturday morning cartoons (“I’m Just a Bill”) in person.

🌷 Starting Friday, the Flower and Garden Expo at Hudson Valley Community College is a dream for green thumbs. See the latest in gardening gear and enjoy wine tastings, engaging talks and hands-on demos to inspire your inner plant daddy (or mommy) 👩‍🌾

🖼️ The theme for this month’s Troy Night Out is Art March, featuring events at Art Center of the Capital Region, murals at Troy Atrium, Window Works at Collar Works, and Paper Moon.

🚣‍♀️ On Saturday, the 15th Annual Ice Breaker Challenge 5K pits runners and walkers against rowers from the Albany Rowing Center.

🎪 Also Saturday, Via Aquarium in Rotterdam puts on Spring Festival, featuring kid-friendly activities like carnival games, face painting, food vendors, and temporary tattoos.

🎭️ All weekend, the Bunbury Players puts on A Festival of One Acts III, featuring four original short plays, at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library.

🍽️ Hudson Valley Restaurant Week launches on Monday and goes through April 13. Be sure to make reservations at participating restaurants if you plan on partaking. Choose from menus costing $24.95, $29.95, $39.95, or $44.95.

GET YOUR EVENT ON THE LIST 🎸

Sundays are the deadline to be included in the coming week’s list!

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Got an awesome business, event or personality we should feature? Let us know! Contact: [email protected]