has come into its own in its third year, returning to New York City November 19-22 with more substance to its already "good bones" thanks to record growth in sponsorships, film submissions, and award categories for its eq-equivalent of the Oscars: the Winnies.
Heading that honored list of sponsors for the world's first combined film, art and literary event celebrating the horse are Presenting Sponsor Edge Brewing Barcelona and Platinum Media Partner EQUUS Magazine. Rated the 2014 Top New Brewer in the World, all profits from the Edge Equestrian Line of Beer go to equine-based charities and filmgoers will enjoy samples at Saturday night's Winnie Awards ceremony. EQUUS Magazine, The Horse Owner's Resource since 1977, provides the latest information from the world's top veterinarians, equine researchers, riders and trainers and will sponsor EQUUS Magazine Directors and Guests Panels on Friday and Saturday afternoons in the 66-seat Director's Panel room and covering such topics as the safe use of horses in film-making.
Return sponsors Blackburn Architects, PC (appearing on the EQUUS Magazine Authors Panel) and New York State Horse Council (volunteers and liaison with Central Park Carriage Horses Stables) are joined by Cowboy Magic, Horseware Ireland, Humane Society of the United States, Mane 'n' Tail, and Trafalgar Books.
In opening opportunities to nonprofits for sponsorship visibility, EQUUS Film Festival founder and director Lisa Diersen has also welcomed the All American Walking Horse Alliance, Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue, Rewilding America's Mustangs and Rangelands and the Metropolitan Equestrian Team.
EQUUS Film Festival press and promotions organizers Diana De Rosa and LA Pomeroy confirm record coverage and advertising for this year's event, thanks to media partnerships with EQUUS Magazine, Equestrian Quarterly (naming EFF-NYC among the top eq getaways of the fall), Elite Equestrian, Holistic Horse, Modern Horseman, Southeast Equine, Horse News and The Plaid Horse.
As home to the storytellers of the horse world, the EQUUS Film Festival and special events, November 19-22 at the Village East Cinema, is the first event of its kind dedicated to equestrian-themed film, fine art and authors, EQUUS Magazine Directors Panels, a pop-up artist, filmmaker and literary gallery, Sunday tours of the Clinton Park Carriage Horses Stable, and a Manhattan Saddlery sponsored Thursday evening VIP Party and Sunday shopping hours.
The EQUUS Film Festival will also include Li'l Herc™ Kids Fest sponsored by Suzanne Kopp-Moskow with free Saturday family films and fun. A special treat during the FREE kids morning will be the showing of "A Sunday Horse," the ideal horse story for families and teens. This is the true story of Ocala show jumper Debi Connor, played by "Twilight" actress and musician Nikki Reed, who overcame hurdles bigger than any Grand Prix course – including a near-fatal accident and diagnosis of epilepsy - to prove that a horse called The Evangelist deserved to also be called a champion.
Founded in 2013 by Lisa Diersen, the 2015 EQUUS Film Festival NYC will present almost 150 films and double (32) the number of Winnie Awards presented in 2014 at the Harlem MIST Theatre, including best Eq Art Film, Director, Documentary, International, Music Video, People's Choice and Best of Festival.
Tickets are limited. Order now at www.equusfilmfestival.net and join nearly 10,000 fans on www.facebook.com/EquusFilmFestivalNYC.