Locals win film award

It’s a family affair.

Brothers Robert M. Snyder of Valley Stream and Philip Snyder of Island Park won First Prize for their short, “A Farewell to Arm,” in the Yellow Ape Film Festival at the Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington. The film stars Robert M. Snyder, Jr., of Woodside, Queens.

“A Farewell to Arm” is a coming of age fable about Hemingway-esque arm-wrestling challenge between a father and son. Screenwriter Robert co-directed and co-produced with brother Philip, who shot and edited. Acting the roles of father and son were Robert, Sr., and Robert, Jr.

The festival took place on July 31 at 7 pm, yet was a showcase for “Movies for the Midnight Hour,” in the words of Yellow Ape Productions founder Jim Haggerty of Floral Park. These are films, like “The Rocky Horror Picture Show or “Scanners,” that feature shock, horror and dark humor. Among the films (in competition and out of competition) were live performances of dance, music and comedy.

Playing before a packed and paying audience, the films were assessed by a panel of judges. As Grand Prize winner, “A Farewell to Arm,” will be included on “Vaulted: Films from the Yellow Ape Vault,” an anthology DVD, reminiscent of creature-feature TV shows. As was the festival, it is introduced by vampirish hostess, Lady MacDeath (Josephine Iannece).

This was the first annual Yellow Ape Film Festival. Its success means it won’t be the last.

The Snyder Brothers began making films as teenagers, growing up in Lawrence.