Director of Public Affairs Helen Tederous coordinates all production requests for the The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority(NFTA). This includes the Niagara Falls and Buffalo International Airports as well as Metro Bus and Rail. Helen has been instrumental in making the Buffalo Niagara Region a film friendly destination when it comes to the NFTA’s many transportation asset’s.
Expo Producer Greg Lamberson of Cinema Arts Collaborative
Villa Maria College will host the first Cinema Arts Expo on Saturday, April 5th from 10:30am – 5:30 pm. The expo is the first event from Cinema Arts Collaborative, Inc., a new nonprofit organization created to promote, educate and grow the Buffalo-Niagara film community. The event will consist primarily of panels featuring area creators and professionals. Local filmmaker Gregory Lamberson, a member of the Producers Guild of America, serves as the executive director of CAC and will moderate most of the panels.
“Many films are coming to Buffalo to shoot in the very near future and we need to grow our crew base,” says Lamberson. “This expo is aimed at creators, but also at people who wish to join the film crew community: film students, graduates and others seeking to get their foot in the door. Networking is crucial, and showing up is a large part of the battle.”
The first panel of the day will be “Buffalo Niagara Film Production,” featuring Buffalo-Niagara Film Commissioner Tim Clark, Buffalo Film Office Director of Operations Rich Wall, and Cindy Abbott Letro, who sits on the film commission’s board of directors and hosts Behind the Camera on YouTube. “This is a great opportunity for local residents, including students who are graduating this spring, to network with film professionals and learn about the Buffalo-Niagara film community,” says Clark.
Additional panels will be devoted to Screenwriting (Jeff Wilber, Paul McGinnis, Richie Leyland, Ken Rowe), Producing (Peter Johnson, Tom Paolino, Emily Sheng, Nikki Styliades Howze), Directing (Peter McGennis, John Michael Nolan, Kyle Mecca, David O. Anderson), and Women in Film (Sabrina Pena Young, Kristen Skeet, Hope Muehlbauer).
In addition, Lameberson will conduct an on stage conversation with John Scardino, Business Representative for Local 52 Motion Picture Studio Mechanics. Scardino will discuss the benefits and process of joining the union. “Not everyone who wants to work on movies wants to be a writer, director, or producer,” says Lamberson. “Students are graduating from Villa Maria, Buff State, and UB who wish to earn a living working on movies in a wide range of crew positions.”
To help graduating students and others land those all important first film set jobs, Lamberson is requesting that interested parties bring a hard copy of their resume to the expo and submit it to the Cinema Arts Collaborative table where tickets will be sold. “We’re going to scan these resumes, create a PDF directory, and send it to every person I know who is likely to be hiring crew when all these movies start coming to town. Additionally, a fellow nonprofit, Film Neighbor Network, will have a table at the expo, and they have a track record of helping students land internships.”
Lamberson plans to grow Cinema Arts Expo in the years to come because the demand for crew members is only going to increase, and he hopes Villa Maria will always be the event’s home because their goals are well aligned. “We look forward to welcoming the Cinema Arts Collaborative to campus for the first Cinema Arts Expo,” says Dr. Matthew Giordano, president of Villa Maria College. “By providing an opportunity for collaboration, education, and networking, the event will strengthen the local film community while providing our students with another opportunity to learn from experienced professionals. Hosting events like the Cinema Arts Expo support our ongoing efforts to create structured pathways to sustainable careers for our students and the greater Western New York film industry.”
The Founding Directors of Cinema Arts Collaborative, Inc. are Sabrina Pena Young, President; Terry Kimmel, Vice President and Secretary; and Armand John Petri, Treasurer.
Villa Maria College is located at 240 Pine Ridge Road in Buffalo. Regular admission for Cinema Arts Expo is $20, and students and seniors 60 and over pay $15 (cash at the door).
Cinema Arts Collaborative, Inc.
www.CinmaArtsCollaborative.com
On Facebook:
STUDIO CITY, CA and BUFFALO, NY – March 27, 2025 –– On the heels of its winning partnership last year, Hallmark Media, NFL and Skydance Sports are running it back this Christmas with Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story, a new, original movie premiering during the GOAT of festive films, Hallmark Channel’s 16th annual Countdown to Christmas. The announcement was made today through a video featuring Bills Safety Damar Hamlin. Production kicks off later this year and will film entirely at locations in and around Buffalo, New York, including iconic Highmark Stadium, which is making its last stand as the Bills home field in the upcoming 2025 NFL season. The starting lineup will be announced at a later date.
“The incredible success of last year’s partnership with the NFL and the Kansas City Chiefs far exceeded our expectations,” said Darren Abbott, Chief Brand Officer, Hallmark. “We are thrilled to team up with the Bills this year for a new holiday movie filled with heart, family and the classic Hallmark storytelling that our fans know and love, all set against the special community the Bills franchise has nurtured throughout its storied history.”
“We were honored to be approached by Skydance Sports to participate in this amazing project that will showcase two powerful brands – Hallmark and the Buffalo Bills,” said Pete Guelli, Chief Operating Officer, Buffalo Bills. “This is just another example of how the Bills brand and our amazing fan base continues to grow across the sports and entertainment landscape. This is an incredible opportunity to feature Western New York and Bills Mafia on the Hallmark platform. It is a privilege to be part of this project, and we hope this film will be a hit during the holiday season!”
With planning underway, fan activations, unique co-branded merchandise, and on-air, social, and digital promotion, the multifaceted partnership will engage widespread audiences both on and off the field, with more details to be announced later this year. What’s more, this film will fuel the proven track record of viewership crossover between Countdown to Christmas enthusiasts and football fans. In fact, over 75% of Hallmark Channel viewers also watched NFL Football while Countdown to Christmas was on air in 2024, making this film the perfect holiday occasion.*
Skydance Sports serves as the Executive Producer of Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story. A newly formed venture between Skydance Media and the NFL, Skydance Sports is designed to create a top-end sports content studio and expand multi-platform sports programming across a broad range of formats.
ABOUT HALLMARK MEDIA
Owned and operated by Hallmark Cards, Inc., Hallmark Media is entertainment’s leading destination for feel-good content. Hallmark Channel features an ambitious slate of new, original movies, scripted series, and the popular annual holiday franchise, Countdown to Christmas. Hallmark Mystery features a unique mix of movies and acquired series focused on the lighter side of the suspense and mystery genres, as well as its own seasonal programming event, Miracles of Christmas. Hallmark Family showcases timeless storytelling for the whole family centered around faith, love, and community. The company’s subscription streaming service and membership program, Hallmark+ offers a distinctive blend of all new, exclusive original series and movies, next-day access to Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Mystery premieres, plus monthly discounts and rewards for shopping at Hallmark Gold Crown retail stores. For more information, please visit www.corporate.hallmarkmedia.com.
ABOUT SKYDANCE SPORTS
Skydance Sports, the joint venture between the NFL and Skydance, has quickly become the preeminent studio for leagues, teams, elite athletes and A-List Hollywood talent seeking to produce premium, sports-related entertainment. Initially launched in 2021, the studio’s first two projects include the Sports Emmy-nominated docuseries Good Rivals and the critically acclaimed film Air which received two Golden Globe Award nominations including “Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.” In 2022, Skydance partnered with the NFL and NFL Films on a joint venture to significantly expand multi-platform programming across sports in a broad range of formats for partners, fans, and viewers around the world. The partnership’s projects include the upcoming docuseries America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys chronicling the Dallas Cowboys’ dynasty and franchise owner Jerry Jones, a documentary feature on football legend John Elway, and a docuseries on tennis icon Rafael Nadal for Netflix along with a scripted series for Hulu written and executive produced by Dan Fogelman set inside the world of the NFL. Recently released projects include the Hallmark holiday movie Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story, Aaron Rodgers: Enigma for Netflix, Freediver on Prime Video, Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants for HBO as well as the Sports Emmy-nominated NFL Draft: The Pick Is In for The Roku Channel and Kelce for Prime Video.
The latest media coverage links:
Today Show
Buffalo Bills
Sports Illustrated
Variety
Buffalo News
Film Commissioner Tim Clark interviews legendary production designer and Buffalo native David L. Snyder. Known for his work on “Bladerunner”, “Demolition Man”, “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure” and more, David was in town to receive the first Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 Buffalo International Film Festival at the North Park Theatre.
Actor Gabrielle Nunzio with Director Geg Lamberson. (PHOTO: Nancy J. Parisi)
Principal photography on the horror thriller Frenzy Moon has wrapped in Clarence, New York. The film was written and directed by Buffalo-based filmmaker Gregory Lamberson, who produced it with Tamar Lamberson, Keith Lukowski and Chris Cosgrave.
This is Lamberson’s tenth feature film as a director, and his seventh filmed in Western New York. A member of the Producers Guild of America, some of his previous films include Johnny Gruesome, Widow’s Point and Guns of Eden.
Frenzy Moon tells the story of six college students and a mysterious hunter who spend a terrifying night battling werewolves in a remote cabin. Lamberson is the author of 15 books, including the novels The Frenzy Way, The Frenzy War and The Frenzy Wolves. He describes Freny Moon as “a cross between The Howling and John Carpenter’s The Thing.”
The film’s principal cast is primarily comprised of Western New York theater actors: Alyssa Grace Adams, Aaron Krygier, Kayla Walker, Gabrielle Nunzio, Harold Octavius Jacob, Steven Maiseke and Jacob Applegate. Lamberson cast many of them after scouting them in local stage productions.
(PHOTO: Nancy J. Parisi)
“The audience needs to believe the characters’ fear in a horror film. I wanted theater actors because they tend to have more training and discipline, and can better handle long, intense dialogue scenes. There was no need to look outside Western New York, because we have so many talented actors right here.”
The crew was also local.
“I’ve been shooting here for fourteen years. A lot of people have gotten their start with me, and I’ve learned from visiting producers and directors. I’ve surrounded myself with the best people I can, and as a team we provide training and mentorship to the next generation. We have everything we need right here – except for a local source of financing. This was an incredibly ambitious project to do on a low budget.”
Lamberson raised the budget for the film through a combination of crowdfunding, private investors, and a distribution advance; he expects the film to be released around September 2025.
“We’re always looking for new producers. People can back us through Frenzy Moon on Kickstarter and Indiegogo, receive certain reward perks, and see their name in the credits of a movie that will be seen around the world.”
Gregory Lamberson Film: https://www.gregorylambersonfilm.com/
Frenzy Moon Kickstarter: http://kck.st/3Xnn5Q4
Frenzy Moon Indiegogo: https://igg.me/at/FrenzyMoonFilm/x/25844736#/
Fall Guy/Gal Stunt Boot Camp this Saturday and Sunday
Robbins Stunt Team is holding their 2nd annual stunt boot camp. Fall Guy/Gal style stunt
bootcamp this Saturday(10/12)11:00 am to 3:30pm and Sunday(10/13) 8:45am-1:45pm.
In true stunt fashion we have added high falls to the already high-octane stunt bootcamp.
Greg Robbins and his professional stunt team will guide actors and stunt performers in Falls,
Fights, Prop Firearm handling and safety.
“Greg Robbins and his team are very knowledgeable, safe and are the go-to stunt team for the projects
that come to Buffalo.” said Buffalo/Niagara Film Commissioner, Tim Clark.
Mr. Robbins has been preforming stunts, stunt coordinating and armorer for decades with credits
that include, stunt coordinator on The Panic, The Cutman, Hello Beautiful, Hail Mary, Bad
Cupid, Givers of Death, Bunker, Bound and was a stunt performer on The Terminator, Clover
and Cabrini. Just to name a few.
“The film industry in Western New York needs more stunt performers” says, Greg Robbins.
“This is the perfect time to bring up the next generation of stunt performers, firearm safety
experts and future coordinators. We have wonderful support crews that complement the film tax
credit, and our beautiful city attracts the motion picture industry. We need more stunt people
here, so we don’t have to hire outside of our area. Our bootcamp will help with that need.”- Greg
Robbins.
Boot camp is held at The Sportsplex 90 Ridge Road, North Tonawanda, NY 14120.
To register email Greg Robbins: GregvRobbins@gmail.com
Website: www.robbinsstuntteam.com
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua29brLjU1tWsywsF-QTwg