LIVERPOOL — Axelle Azoulay, the co-director of the American High Film Festival, appeared before the Liverpool Village Board of Trustees on May 16, and again before the Liverpool Planning Board on May 23, to seek approval for the August festival.
Although not yet officially approved, the festival — set for Aug. 19, 20 and 21 — was first announced Feb. 23 in articles published in Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.
An Israeli-born producer/actor and Syracuse University alumna, Azoulay said the three-day film fest will showcase high-school-only shorts and feature films.
“We hope to incorporate local businesses which might host networking events,” Azoulay told the planning board, “and village residents will be admitted to all screenings and the awards ceremony for free.”
Azoulay is co-directing the festival along with Ana Olano, who has worked as an assistant to American High CEO Jeremy Garelick.
Attendance would be capped at 500, Azoulay said. Planning Board Chairman Joe Ostuni Jr. said that if hundreds are expected to attend, parking could be a problem. While screenings are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily at American High’s auditorium gymnasium and one classroom, the festival would also be presented virtually online, Azoulay said, so many viewers could participate without having to drive to American High, at 800 Fourth St.
“If it’s properly done, it sounds nice,” said planning board member Bob Bradt. “I like the idea.”
At the May 23 planning board meeting, the film fest discussion followed a 75-minute review of American High’s Academy at Syracuse Studios site plan and special permit to operate a trade school here. About 30 of the school’s neighbors attended the meeting and — in contrast to the negative comments which dominated a similar hearing in April — several neighbors spoke highly of American High.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for this area,” village resident Gabrielle DiBella told the planners. “You should be more accommodating to American High. What these film crews do here is great. American High has my overwhelming support.”
Barbara Dennehy, who lives across the street from the school, said she was bothered by truck traffic there when it occurs at 2, 3 or 4 a.m. In fact, truck traffic, overnight parking of trucks and diesel fumes are among the neighbors’ top complaints about the film operations.
The planning board was expected to consider a proposed resolution to revoke the special-use permit issued to American High five years ago and its amended site plan adopted in 2020, but no action was taken on May 23.
