Filmmaker Peter McGennis introduces the movie “BIG” as part of the “NY Celebrates Film” series at Buffalo Harbor State Park.
(August 17th, 2015) It was a warm summer night in Western New York last Friday …. a perfect night for a free outdoor movie.
The Governors Office for Motion Picture and Television Development along with the New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Department sponsored a screening of the 1988 movie “BIG” starring Tom Hanks and directed by Penny Marshall.
The event was held at Buffalo’s newest state park, “Buffalo Harbor” State Park on Fuhrmann Boulevard.
Crowds gathered to watch the sunset over Lake Erie as a prelude to the big screen movie.
Lawn chairs, popcorn, food trucks and raffles were all part of the family fun as part of a statewide screening to salute the New York State movie industry as part of the “NY Celebrates Film” initiative established by Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Buffalo filmmaker Peter McGennis introduced the film and told the crowd that “Buffalo has been the perfect canvas” for his films. McGennis has shot a total of three movies in Western New York including Buffalo Bushido, Queen City and his latest film entitled Bubble Girl.
Four cities across the state participated by screening “BIG” on Friday night in various state parks… Buffalo, Syracuse, Albany and New York City.
A special tip of the Buffalo Niagara Film Office cap to state film commissioner Gigi Semone and state parks commissioner Rose Harvey for including Western New York in this salute to film-making in the Empire State.