Toronto, ON — Canadian filmmaker Alfonso Maiorana has been awarded the Best International Film Award at the inaugural Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) Music Documentary Film Festival, held August 8–10 in Stony Brook, New York.
Maiorana’s acclaimed documentary, Goddess of Slide: The Forgotten Story of Ellen McIlwaine, chronicles the groundbreaking career of Ellen McIlwaine, the late slide guitarist who defied expectations in a male-dominated music world. The film follows her journey from her childhood in Japan to her rise in Greenwich Village, her collaborations with blues greats, and the unforgettable nights she shared the stage with Jimi Hendrix.
“Anytime you win any award, it’s always good for the subject matter,” Maiorana said following the ceremony. “In this case, for Ellen, for her music, and for her legacy. And maybe this will get a new generation of people into her music and into her career. I think if people get to see the film, they will be pleasantly surprised about her career and what she’s done, but also may be inspired and, hopefully, that’s what this film does in the long run.”
Celebrating Music on Film
The LIMEHOF Music Documentary Film Festival, which organizers say is the first U.S. festival dedicated exclusively to music documentaries, took place at LIMEHOF’s Stony Brook location, home to the permanent Billy Joel Exhibit. The festival concluded with an awards ceremony at the Three Village Inn, honouring filmmakers across ten categories.
Festival executive director Tom Needham praised the lineup of winners:
“Our winning films celebrated a breathtaking spectrum of music—from groundbreaking hip-hop and timeless folk to genre-defying rock and beyond—each revealing the brilliance of the artists behind them. This diversity is the heartbeat of our festival and the inspiration for what’s to come.”
Complete Awards List
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The Spirit of Independent Filmmaking Award: Hello! My Name is Blotto: THE MOVIE, Director: Robert Lichter
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First Time Filmmaker Award: 40 Watts from Nowhere, Director: Sue Carpenter
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Social Impact Award: To My Rescue, it Was the S1Ws (A Public Enemy Story), Director: Janol Ture
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Best International Film Award: Goddess of Slide: The Forgotten Story of Ellen McIlwaine, Director: Alfonso Maiorana (Canada)
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Long Island Filmmaker Award: Building the Beatles, Director: John Rose
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Best Director Award: Hung Up on a Dream: The Zombies Documentary, Director: Robert Schwartzman
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Best Short Film Award: Coming Home: The Guggenheim Grotto Back in Ireland, Director: Will Chase
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Best Feature Award: Cat’s in the Cradle 50th Anniversary: The Song That Changed Our Lives, Director: Rick Korn
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Audience Award, Best Short: The Bronx Boys – The Evolution of B-Boy Culture, Director: Robert McCullough Jr.
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Audience Award, Best Feature: To My Rescue, it Was the S1Ws (A Public Enemy Story), Director: Janol Ture
About LIMEHOF
Founded in 2004, the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is dedicated to celebrating and preserving Long Island’s rich musical and entertainment heritage. Covering Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, and Kings (Brooklyn) Counties, LIMEHOF has inducted more than 130 musicians and music industry leaders. Its Stony Brook location opened in 2022, offering exhibits, education programs, and scholarships.
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