Photos from the recent fundraiser, "A Roast of Jack Garner"
More than 150 attended the Festival's first fundraiser, "A Roast of Jack Garner," at Eagle Vale Gold Center in Fairport, N.Y., on November 17, 2007. Jack Garner is Rochester's own beloved film critic, whose work as chief film reviewer for Gannett News Service was known worldwide prior to his retirement last summer.
In honor of Jack's love of film, roasters and guests were asked to wear costumes from thier favorite movies. Celebrity roasters included Rochester's Mayor Bob Duffy (as Sherlock Holmes), WHAM-TV's Don Alhart and Doug Emblige, RHFIFF's Artistic Director Catherine Wyler (as Greta Garbo), WCMF's Tommy Mule, the Little Theatre's Bob Russell (in a costume from The Godfather), Rochester/Finger Lakes Film and Video Office's June Foster (from Pirates of the Caribbean), and Jack's Wife, Bonnie, (from Bonnie and Clyde). The evening was emceed by WCMF's Brother Wease (in a costume from Casino), with help from Rosie Taravella, RHFIFF Executive Director (dressed as Carmen Miranda). Videotaped messages to Jack were also shown, including a heartfelt goodbye from County Executive Maggie Brooks, a roast from Post Central's Ferdinand Jay Smith, and an unforgettable animation from Fred Armstrong and the guys from Animatus Studios. (Yes, that's Fred dressed as "Divine!")