Tilles Center Aglow With Gold Coast Gala

Host Kristin Thorne had lots of laughs at the Gold Coast Arts Center Gala with her husband (center). (Photos by Neil Tandy/Image Photographers)

On Wednesday, Oct. 28, the Gold Coast Arts Center kicked off its upcoming International Film Festival at its 2015 Gala at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in Greenvale.

Former Great Neck resident Lou Diamond Phillips presented the Woman of Influence Award to director Patricia Riggen, whose film The 33 premieres this week.

Grammy-Award winning musician, conductor, arranger and music archivist Vince Giordano (Boardwalk Empire) received the Artist of Distinction Award in Music, which was presented by author, editor, photographer and music editor Will Friedwald.

Posing with The Honey Taps are Homeland’s Navid Negahban (left), who received the Artist of Distinction Award in Film, which was presented by Michael Cuesta (right), the show’s screenwriter and director.

Actor and producer star of Showtime’s Homeland Navid Negahban received the Artist of Distinction Award in Film, which was presented by Michael Cuesta, screenwriter and director of Homeland.

Grammy-Award winning musician Vince Giordano, who received the Artist of Distinction Award in Music, is surrounded by The Honey Taps.

The Gala was hosted by Emmy Award-winning journalist and Eyewitness News correspondent Kristin Thorne, who presented the Woman of Influence Award to director Patricia Riggen along with Lou Diamond Phillips, actor, director and star of Riggen’s soon-to-be-released film, The 33.

Entertainment surprises filled the evening.

There were performances from song and dance group The Honey Taps and singer Talya Smilowitz as well as the showing of Buster Keaton’s 1920 silent short comedy film, One Week, which was accompanied by live organ music.

Executive Director Regina Keller Gil enjoyed the gala.

This year’s Gold Coast International Film Festival will feature more than 60 films and dozens of filmmakers at screenings and events throughout the Gold Coast. For details, see a listing of the featured events.