High Falls Film Festival Press Conference

John Richardson of Eastman Kodak, The Festival’s Board Chairman opened the festival’s press conference with the introduction of significant supporters of  The High Falls Film Festival.

Assemblyman Joe Morelle (D- Irondequoit) emphasized the commitment of New York State to “cultural tourism” in Rochester.

Joe Robach, New York State Senator stated that the support of the High Falls Film Festival is backed by the NYS Senate.

County Executive Maggie Brooks spoke of the significance of the festival to Rochester and Monroe County.

Rochester’s Outgoing Mayor William A. Johnson emphasized the importance of the need for his successor’s support of the High Falls Film Festival, which began under his administration.

Catherine Wyler, Artistic Director of the Film Festival welcomed the attendees and introduced Christine Lahti; one of the recipients of the Susan B. Anthony “Failure is Impossible Award”. After a brief video retrospective covering Christine Lahti’s twenty-five year film career, Lahti gave a small impromptu speech.

Lahti discussed her first film experience with Al Pacino in the film "And Justice For All" and said that since both Pacino and Lahti had worked in the theatre and had similar styles that they got along well. Lahti said that even though Pacino was quite a bit shorter he did not care about the height difference but that other actors had refused to work with her due to the height difference.

Lahti’s favorite scene in her film career was from Running On Empty directed by Sidney Lumet. “The scene in the restaurant with the actor Steven Hill, who played my father, is one of my favorites. It was so incredible to work with Steven Hill. We shot the scene with several cameras at the same time and basically left the writing in the scene alone and did it in just several takes. My own father even memorized the scene and every time we watched it together he would mouth the words of both characters. There were similar aspects in that scene to my relationship with my father ”.

Lahti says she has been enjoying the acting gig since her last director job but has been looking for her next directorial project but did state that she was feeling a little of the “boys club thing ” in the Film Industry.

Lahti is also busy raising her three children, one of whom is interested in going to film school.  When asked  whether she had ever thought of the possibility of being a mentor to young women in the film industry Lahti replied “Maybe after the kids are in college”.