New York’s annual Food Film Festival proves you can have your cake and screen it, too.
This year, the fest is taking on a decidedly Brooklyn flavor, with a host of borough eateries set to invade the East Village event.
Gourmands and film lovers alike will be able to sample signature treats from local purveyors — including Leske’s Bakery, David’s Brisket House, and Jojo’s Sriracha — while devouring food-focused flicks. The dishes highlighted in each movie corresponds with the fare being served to the audience.
“We treat food and film equally,” said Harry Hawk, a festival co-creator who also works at Leske’s, which has locations in Bay Ridge and Park Slope. “The audience gets a 360-degree experience. All your senses are engaged. You get to watch the food on the screen and get a visual sense of it, and then you get to sample the food as well.”
Hawk started the festival in 2007 along with Brooklyn hamburger enthusiast and filmmaker George Motz. The pair was watching a screening of Motz’s documentary “Hamburger America” — which narrates the story of eight unique hamburger restaurants across the country — when inspiration (and hunger) struck. The duo thought the viewing experience would be enhanced by eating hamburgers at the same time, and an entire festival was cooked-up from that simple idea.
This year’s film line-up features three stories set in Brooklyn.
“1 Minute Meal: Blessed by Brisket”
Directed by local multimedia journalist James Boo, this documentary short profiles David’s Brisket House, a Jewish Deli in Bedford-Stuyvesant run by Yemeni Muslims. It screens as part of “Kings of BBQ,” alongside a feast of other meat-centric movies.
Oct. 23, 7 pm, $95.
“JoJo’s Sriracha: Bringing More Hot Pepper Flavor To The Party”
One of hottest condiments in America — both figuratively and literally — gets its turn on the silver screen, with this film about the Jojo’s Sriracha, a line of hot sauces handcrafted by Brooklyn chef and sriracha obsessive Jolene Collins. It will be served up with six other flicks about “pocket foods” as part of “Edible Adventure #008: The Surprise Inside.”
Oct. 24, 7 pm, $85
Sweet Legacy
Also screening at “Edible Adventure #008,” this short from festival co-creator Motz showcases Brooklyn company Sugar in the Raw, which has been slinging sucrose for over 40 years.
Oct. 24, 7 pm, $85
NYC Food Film Festival at AMC Leows Village 7 [66 3rd Ave. at E 11th Street, www.thefoodfilmfestival.com]
Oct. 23-28. $45-$95.
