Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Alec Baldwin is expected to be among famous attendees at the Buffalo International Film Festival. Meanwhile, another major feature film is being shot in Western New York.
Buffalo Niagara Film Commissioner Tim Clark says Baldwin is attending the screening of a film he produced, "Baristas vs. Billionaires," about efforts by local Starbucks employees to unionize.
"Alec himself will be here in Buffalo and be at [North Park] Theater, and he'll be doing a question and answer period," said Clark in an interview with WBEN.
Clark adds Baldwin is no stranger to Western New York.
"He did a little movie called 'Crown Vic', which was here several years ago, shooting throughout Buffalo mostly. He's from Syracuse, so he gets the whole rhythm and the energy of Upstate New York. And I think he will be back for many more, as this tax credit that is so important now, is making it a wonderful place to shoot movies. And I think we'll be seeing more of Alec as well as other stars and other directors and producers as well," noted Clark.
Clark adds there are a lot of movie stars coming in for the Buffalo International Film Festival.
"This thing has grown so big, and it really rivals some of the mid-sized festivals around the world. Literally, people are coming from Italy, from France, they're coming from all parts of the world to to participate in this festival. It's really grown to be something," Clark said.
In addition, Warner Brothers and New Line Cinema have teamed up to shoot a movie here in Western New York.
"They began shooting this week. It's a very sizable film. It's a studio movie, so it's going to take place in a lot of places across Western New York," Clark said.
He adds that will be followed by sound stage work, and it'll be here for the next couple of months.
Clark has to be tight-lipped about what the movie is about, and who's in it.
"They're asking to keep the cast kind of confidential at the moment. They'll be shooting in the City of Buffalo, but the sets are closed, and they really want to try to protect the integrity of the script and and the storyline," Clark said.
Shooting should wrap up next month.