June 2009: New York City Food Film Festival

In short, I loved it! I attended the screenings on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 16-17, at the Water Taxi Beach locations on Long Island City and at the South Street Seaport, respectively. Click-through for my mini film reviews, links to online videos, menus, and photos.

Tuesday films, with links to video streams if available:
- The Food Hypnotist Cute little animation about being cured of food… but who would want that?!
- Food Cops Umm, I went to the bar during this one. My bad.
- The Sacred Food I’m thrilled this is online–WATCH IT! It’s beautiful–a short documentary about continuing the tradition of wild rice harvesting by Native Americans in Minnesota today. 6 minutes. 20 pounds of wild rice was donated and served!
- Thanksgiving Fairly self-explan.
- Mutton: The Movie Watch this, too, it’s hilarious–the culture of mutton farming (and BBQing) in northwest Kentucky. And if you’ve ever read this blog, you know I LOVE me some Kentucky. 17 minutes.
- The Sandwich Thief I loved this and wish I could find it online–a short comedy-suspense about a robbery and a sandwich.
- New Jersey’s Red October Short documentary about cranberry farming in NJ.
Tuesday’s menu: barbecued mutton, cornbread, and slaw; wild rice; and dried cranberries. I also curled up in a blanket with one of the festival mixologist’s concoctions, Maker’s bourbon, smoked cola, and lemon.

Wednesday films, with links to video streams if available:
- Come Have An Omelette With Me I love the music, and this is just fantastic animation. You’ve got to see the turtles. 1 minute.
- Clam Pie I think the premise was that clam pie is so good you’d die and go to Heaven? I don’t know. But I will say that the clam pie that was served was the best thing I’d ever eaten since the mutton the night before. Oh my God.
- The Sacred Food
- Celeriac A graduate film school student had to make a short horror film and found inspiration in the kitchen. The audience went nuts! 2.5 minutes.
- Eat Your Fill A man eats everything fried and/or served on a stick at the Wisconsin State Fair that he can find within an hour. I was surprised that he didn’t seem to be in any particular rush, but by the time he eats a 1/2-pound pork chop after a slice of cheesecake dipped in chocolate on a stick, I can see why. It’s not as entertaining as it is painful, I hate to say it. I’d like to see him after a beer on a stick!
- 24 Hours, 24 Million Meals: Feeding New York City This was apparently episode 3 of a 4-part series about food production, the culture of eating, and the restaurant industry that aired on CBC, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. I thought it was extremely well done, and now that I know this, I’m going to watch the other parts. 43 minutes.
Wednesday’s menu: corn dogs and fried cheese curd; clam pie; and fresh madeleines.

Cheers to the organizers of the NYC Food Film Festival for bringing together my three passions: food (25 years and going), film festivals (I’ve worked for three), and things that are free (timeless). Really, really well done events!

Long Island City.

South Street Seaport.