The third try appears to be a charm, as the Third Annual New York S/M Film Festival checks in with another smashing success!

Thor Stockman returned to give *another* encore-yet-completely-original and entertaining presentation, "The Return of the Good, The Bad, and the Ridiculous: S/M at the Movies." The TES Novice Group kicked off another round of its annual series of monthly programs with "Introduction to the Scene." And three evenings' worth of films and videos unspooled at the Anthology Film Archives, culminating in a grand finale Wrap Party at Den of Inquity on the last evening of the festival - and a rather bleary-eyed brunch the next day.

The event was again a great draw for old-timers and new-comers alike, with this year's go-round creating a particularly convivial mingling of various communities. Between screenings regular fixtures of the leather-S/M-fetish worlds mixed in the lobby with curious first-timers and general film devotees, and this year saw an increased participation by filmmakers whose works were featured in the festival. Claes Lilja was on hand to present his crowd-pleasing documentary, "Beyond Vanilla," and Phil Leirness, director of "Story of O: Untold Pleasures," fielded a provocative range of questions from a sell-out audience. Also making appearances to support their short-form entries were Denny Daniels, David Ryan, Felice Shays and Sir D, while Mistress Dakota gave the introduction to "Seven Deadly Sins," a work in which she is a most pleasing center of attention.

This year also marked the return of the opening night fundraising gala, held at The LURE. With another boisterous auction as its centerpiece, this year's event raised $1,756, with the proceeds divided equally between the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom and the Tom of Finland Foundation. Many thanks to everyone who attended for their fantastic generosity - and to those who donated items for the auction, including festival filmmakers Claes Lilja and Maria Beatty.

Please also give enthusiastic thanks - and your business! - to the sponsors of the Third Annual New York S/M Film Festival, for their support in making the event such a success: Den of Inquity, H/X Magazine and Indiana Productions, along with Purple Passion, Bijou Productions, Black & Blue Ball, The LURE, Mercy, Toys in Babeland and Winter Couture. Immense gratitude also goes to John Mhiripiri and the rest of the staff at Anthology Film Archives for providing the festival such a comfortable and hospitable home.

Kudos should also go to the TES Board of Directors for their support of the festival. And last, but certainly not least, the festival certainly would not have been possible without the work of a fine cadre of volunteers. Their efforts ran a wide gamut - planning, advising, arranging and publicizing; schlepping and posting; website updating; ticket tearing and ushering; informing and schmoozing.

Thanks and best wishes,

Michael the Artist, Lisa V
Co-Chairs, New York S/M Film Festival

Introductory Presentation:
Thor Stockman

Programming:
Michael the Artist, Lisa V

Program Scouts:
Gary Switch, Lolita, Nardo, Thor Stockman

Publicity:
Gary Switch, Lisa, Lolita, Michael, Susan Wright

Press Liaison:
Susan Wright

Festival Photographer:
Barbara Nitke

Sponsorships:
Jenn, Jeff, Lisa, Michael

Webpage Design:
Michael

Website Maintenance:
Dov, Heow, Jeff, Larry N

Guerilla Marketing:
Alan Esq, Bo, Catelynn, Dan, Erica, Jeff, Paul NyghtOwl

Advance Sales:
Catelynn, Chrystyne, Don, Jason, Jeff, Jesica, Larry N, Lori, Paul NyghtOwl

Novice Group - Introduction to the Scene:
Organizers - Master J, Lady Red and Lady D; Presenters - Alex, Pat Bond, Brother Leo

Fundraising Party at The LURE:
Party Princess Lolita Wolf and "Auction Bottom" Boymeat, Alithea, Andrew Harwin, Felice Shays, jp, Kate L, Kate Stine and Kath

Local Teamster Liaison and Key Grip:
Alan Esq.

Best Girl:
Erica

Theatre Operations and Hospitality:
Erica, Heow, Jason, Jeff, Jenn, Master Jim, Kat, Kate L, LaRubia, May, Michael, Michelle, Nancy, Susie Q and Wes

Craft Services and Entertainment (aka Wrap Party!):
Jeff, Party Diva Lady D, Bo, Courtney, Dan, Dov, Lewis, Mark, Paul NyghtOwl, Pete Mosq and Sharon

No animals were harmed in the making of this festival.

The events, characters and firms depicted are fictitious. Any similiarity to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events, is purely coincidental.