The red carpets roll out for Staten Island’s First Film Festival’s Opening Night Film with the New York premiere of The Celestine Prophecy, the exciting film based on the international bestselling book. Selling over 14 million copies, and spending an amazing three years on The New York Times bestseller list, the film is receiving rave reviews across America.

Directed by Staten Islander, Armand Mastroianni, The Celestine Prophecy premiere will begin at 7:00 pm at the magnificent St. George Theatre and will initiate the excitement for the inaugural festival, which runs from June 1-4, (www.sifilm festival.org). The film features a star-studded ensemble cast and is the compelling adventure story chronicling the discovery of ancient scrolls in the rainforests of Peru. The scrolls are said to be prophetic with nine key insights foretelling a worldwide awakening, arising within all religious traditions, moving humanity toward a deeper experience of spirituality.

On June 1st, Armand Mastroianni, Staten Island and film luminaries will proceed to the theatre with a red-carpet walk to the theatre, located at 35 Hyatt Street on Staten Island. The movie cast includes Matthew Settle ( Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood), Thomas Kretschmann (King Kong), Sarah Wayne Callies (Prison Break, Law & Order SVU), Annabeth Gish (West Wing, Mystic Pizza, The X-Files), Hector Elizondo (Pretty Woman, Princess Diaries I & II), Joaquim de Almeida (Clear and Present Danger, Behind Enemy Lines, West Wing, 24) and Jurgen Prochnow (The Da Vinci Code, Das Boot, The English Patient).

Author, writer and producer of The Celestine Prophecy, James Redfield, comments on the movie’s timely release, “More than ever people are exploring a deeper experience of spirituality. It is our hope that the movie is an adventurous snapshot of a lived spirituality we can all embrace; and that like the book, the movie will take on a life of its own.”

“The Celestine Prophecy is a movie that inspires community and culture, the theme of our first festival,” relates Jeannnine Marotta, Festival Director, “We are honored to present this much-anticipated film.”

Pursued for years by Hollywood, James Redfield patiently held the vision of creating a movie true to the essence of the book and in the end, independently produced the film. Shot entirely on location in St. Augustine and Ocala, Florida, and Costa Rica, the film is a production of Celestine Films, LLC and Barnet Bain Films.

Celebrating in grand style to welcome the summer season, The First Annual Staten Island Film Festival will present a program of over 100 independent films chosen for their local and national cultural significance. The festival has much to offer film buffs, native New Yorkers and tourists alike, reflective of the many cultures and lively communities that make up New York City’s greenest borough, the location for many famous films from The Godfather, to Goodfellas to Annie Hall.

General admission for all films is $5. and ticket packages are available. For information on the festival and ticket information, visit the festival’s website, www.sifilmfestival.org.

The Staten Island Film Festival is a project of the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation, a 501 © (3), non-for-profit corporation. Its mission is to enhance a thriving Staten Island economy through projects that enhance the quality of life. Joining the SIEDC in the presentation of the film festival are Staten Island Board of Realtors, the Building Industry Association and the Jewish Community Center of Staten Island. The presenting sponsor of the Festival is the Richmond County Savings Foundation. The Venues sponsor is KeySpan. The Opening Night Screening sponsors include Staten Island Borough President James P. Molinaro and Time Warner Cable. The Closing Night Awards Ceremony and Cocktail Reception sponsors include Staten Island Board of Realtors, Inc., Staten Island Borough President James P. Molinaro and the Staten Island Advance. Other official sponsors include Pro Sho Productions, Staten Island Bank and Trust Foundation, Creative Media, Pratt Industries, Staten Island Hotel, UR Music, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.