Raymond De Felitta
Encyclopedia
Raymond De Felitta is an American independent filmmaker, writer and musician from New York City.
's directing program, class of 1990. That same year he was nominated for an Academy Award for Live Action Short Film
at the 63rd Academy Awards for his AFI thesis short, Bronx Cheers. In 1995 he wrote and directed Cafe Society starring Frank Whaley
, Peter Gallagher
and Lara Flynn Boyle
. In 2000 De Felitta directed the indie
film Two Family House
which won the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival
along with an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Screenplay. In 2003 he directed Paul Reiser
's The Thing About My Folks
which received the Audience Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival
. The film was released in 2005 by Picture House. In 2006 De Felitta directed his first documentary Tis Autumn: The Search for Jackie Paris, which won the Best Jazz Documentary at the Kansas City Filmmakers Jubilee. The film was released in 2007 by Outsider Pictures.
In 2009 De Felitta wrote and directed the independent film City Island
, which received the First Place Audience Award at the Tribeca Film Festival
. The film opened in theaters 19 March 2010.
.
Cafe Society (1995)
Two Family House
(2000)
The Thing About My Folks
(2005)
Tis Autumn: The Search for Jackie Paris (2006)
City Island (film)
(2009)
Film career
De Felitta graduated from the American Film InstituteAmerican Film Institute
The American Film Institute is an independent non-profit organization created by the National Endowment for the Arts, which was established in 1967 when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act...
's directing program, class of 1990. That same year he was nominated for an Academy Award for Live Action Short Film
Academy Award for Live Action Short Film
This name for the Academy Award for Live Action Short Film was introduced in 1974. For the three preceding years it was known as "Short Subjects, Live Action Films." The term "Short Subjects, Live Action Subjects" was used from 1957 until 1970. From 1936 until 1956 there were two separate...
at the 63rd Academy Awards for his AFI thesis short, Bronx Cheers. In 1995 he wrote and directed Cafe Society starring Frank Whaley
Frank Whaley
Frank Joseph Whaley is an American film and television actor known for his roles in independent films.-Personal life:Whaley was born in Syracuse, New York, the son of Josephine and Robert W. Whaley, Sr. He is half-Irish and half-Sicilian and grew up in Syracuse. He has two sisters and an older...
, Peter Gallagher
Peter Gallagher
Peter Killian Gallagher is an American actor, musician and writer. Since 1980, Gallagher has played many roles in numerous Hollywood films. He starred as Sandy Cohen in the television drama series The O.C. from 2003 to 2007...
and Lara Flynn Boyle
Lara Flynn Boyle
Lara Flynn Boyle is an American film and television actress best known for her performances as Laura Palmer's best friend Donna Hayward in Twin Peaks and Assistant District Attorney Helen Gamble in The Practice...
. In 2000 De Felitta directed the indie
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
film Two Family House
Two Family House
Two Family House is a 2000 film based on the story of the uncle of the film's writer and director Raymond De Felitta . The film won the Audience Award at Sundance 2000...
which won the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
along with an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Screenplay. In 2003 he directed Paul Reiser
Paul Reiser
Paul Reiser is an American stand-up comedian, actor, television personality, author, screenwriter and musician. He is most widely known for his role on the long-running television sitcom Mad About You.-Early life:...
's The Thing About My Folks
The Thing About My Folks
The Thing About My Folks is a 2005 American drama film directed by Raymond De Felitta. The screenplay by Paul Reiser focuses on the effect a terminal illness has on the marriage of an aging couple and their adult children.-Plot:...
which received the Audience Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival
Santa Barbara International Film Festival
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival is a film festival and non-profit organization, established in 1985, that showcases independent American and international films. The SBIFF line-up includes 20 world premieres and 11 U.S. premieres, with newly expanded 11-day festival...
. The film was released in 2005 by Picture House. In 2006 De Felitta directed his first documentary Tis Autumn: The Search for Jackie Paris, which won the Best Jazz Documentary at the Kansas City Filmmakers Jubilee. The film was released in 2007 by Outsider Pictures.
In 2009 De Felitta wrote and directed the independent film City Island
City Island
City Island may refer to:*City Island, Bronx, New York**City Island , 2009 film by Raymond De Felitta set on the island*City Island *City Island *City Island , an island...
, which received the First Place Audience Award at the Tribeca Film Festival
Tribeca Film Festival
The Tribeca Film Festival is a film festival founded in 2002 by Jane Rosenthal, Robert De Niro and Craig Hatkoff in a response to the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the consequent loss of vitality in the TriBeCa neighborhood in Lower Manhattan.The mission of the festival...
. The film opened in theaters 19 March 2010.
Music career
De Felitta is a lifelong jazz pianist. In 1994 he self-produced his first album, "Movies 'til Dawn." His second album, "Fatha Land," was produced in 2007. This album is a tribute to Earl HinesEarl Hines
Earl Kenneth Hines, universally known as Earl "Fatha" Hines, was an American jazz pianist. Hines was one of the most influential figures in the development of modern jazz piano and, according to one source, is "one of a small number of pianists whose playing shaped the history of jazz".-Early...
.
Filmography
Bronx Cheers (1990)Cafe Society (1995)
Two Family House
Two Family House
Two Family House is a 2000 film based on the story of the uncle of the film's writer and director Raymond De Felitta . The film won the Audience Award at Sundance 2000...
(2000)
The Thing About My Folks
The Thing About My Folks
The Thing About My Folks is a 2005 American drama film directed by Raymond De Felitta. The screenplay by Paul Reiser focuses on the effect a terminal illness has on the marriage of an aging couple and their adult children.-Plot:...
(2005)
Tis Autumn: The Search for Jackie Paris (2006)
City Island (film)
City Island (film)
City Island is a 2009 American comedy-drama film directed and written by Raymond De Felitta and starring Andy García, Julianna Margulies and Alan Arkin. It premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City on April 26, 2009...
(2009)