But it wasn't a famous actor they hoped to glimpse. Instead, they wanted to volunteer with the Staten Island Film Festival and catch a few flicks during SIFF 24, a 24-hour marathon to promote the June event.
I love movies and films and can't wait till this happens , said Leonora Landi, a 71-year-old Bulls Head resident, as she filled out a volunteer application in a conference room at the hotel.
The Staten Island Film Festival, being presented by the Richmond County Savings Foundation, will run June 1-4.
It will include the screening of more than 50 short and feature films at nine Island venues, including the Center for the Arts at the College of Staten Island, Snug Harbor Cultural Center, the St. George Theatre and the Staten Island Hotel.
There will be feature films, documentaries, shorts, animation, student projects, youth films and family-oriented films, from local, national and international artists.
Many of the more than 50 volunteers who had signed up by early yesterday afternoon said they were excited that such a culturally cool event was happening on Staten Island.
I read about it and thought it was so interesting , said Joan Donovan of Grasmere. It's so exciting to be involved with something like this from the beginning.
After filling out her volunteer application and offering to help perform office work, take tickets or do anything else that involves talking to people, Mrs. Donovan headed upstairs to the Verrazano room, where she took in a few films, including Little Kings.
The movie, which was produced by a Newark-based company and partially filmed on Staten Island, was one of the 400-plus films submitted for festival consideration.
It's a pretty good movie , said the 70-year-old, halfway through the film. I'm still sitting here and it's keeping my attention.
Volunteers like 20-year-old Cailin Griffin of Travis and 14-year-old Eric Petillo of New Springville look at the film festival not only as a chance to help out in their community but also as a resume-booster.
I'm a marketing major and I thought this would be good experience , said Ms. Griffin, a student at the College of Staten Island.
For Petillo, an aspiring screenwriter, volunteering with the festival now could mean open doors later.
I love films, and this will be a great experience, said the St. Peter's Boys High School freshman. I'll get to see the business and it [volunteering with the festival] looks great to colleges.
General admission for the festival will be $5 for adults; children (younger than 12) get in for free. Various ticket packages are also available.
Sponsoring organizations include the Staten Island Economic Development Corp., KeySpan Energy, Time Warner Cable, the Staten Island Board of Realtors Inc., the Building Industry Association of New York Inc. and the Jewish Community Center of Staten Island.
Honorary co-chairs for the event are Richard Diamond Jr., son of the late Advance publisher, and Sean Kelleher.
Michelle Maskaly is a news reporter for the Advance. She may be reached at maskaly@siadvance.com.