In 1993, Stuart Alson began the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival in New York, to give filmmakers across the world a platform to showcase their work. Known as 'NYIIFVF', the festival was hugely sucessful and helped thousands of filmmakers get people to watch their movies. 

The festival was famed for including films from the likes of Guy Pearce and Willem Dafoe, along with a host of other notable names from Hollywood. 

Although the festival hasn't ran for a number of years, it had a great impact on the local film industry and we'd love to see it return one day!