Film & TV Veteran Richard Lublin Gives Back to Independent Filmmakers.

The 2022 Naples International Film Festival (NIFF) marked Dr. Richard Lublin’s 5th year as presenting sponsor of the event. Lublin’s passion for supporting the NIFF comes from his unique experience as a prominent attorney that was then followed by nearly three decades acting in the television and film industry. “Over my years of acting in movies and on TV, I observed just how hard independent filmmakers have to work to find distributors for films they have put their hearts and souls into,” Lublin explained. “I want to help support their talent and creativity.”

Named by MovieMaker Magazine as one of the top 25 coolest film festivals in the world, the 14th annual festival took place October 27-30, 2022, in Naples, Florida. NIFF is a place for film buffs to connect and celebrate the art of film. This year, over 60 domestic and international films were screened at ARTIS, a cultural campus in Naples. The successful event included many film categories, including narratives, documentaries, shorts and a special showcase for student filmmakers.

“These filmmakers have stories they are passionate about telling. Film festivals like NIFF give them that chance and they also get to experience live audiences enthusiastically embracing their work,” Richard’s wife and festival co-sponsor Christine Stahl Lublin commented during the festival. Together, they share a passion for film. Richard Lublin loves to see independent filmmakers do well because they are not making films by formula. “Their stories come from their hearts,” he said. “It’s wonderful to see them and their work at the festival.”

Former Avon and West Hartford resident, Richard Lublin followed his own heart into show business. He says that he’s gotten much gratification from his acting career. Notably, he appeared in the critically acclaimed film Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead, directed by Sidney Lumet. “Being directed by a prominent filmmaker like Lumet, who made over 50 films in his lifetime, was beyond inspirational,” Lublin recalled. “Having a role with professionals that I admired like Albert Finney, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke was a real privilege.”

When the curtain went up on his new career in show business in the early 90s, Lublin experienced a series of coincidences when his law and acting careers merged, “It was an ironic twist when my legal and acting paths crossed when I won roles as an attorney on Ally McBeal and The Practice, and again when I played the role as a judge on Law & Order.” Lublin has had acting roles ever since, in films and other popular television shows like Frasier, Married With Children, Chicago Hope and Rescue Me. His most recent film role was in the popular movie The Land of Steady Habits with Ben Mendelsohn and Edie Falco.

Stay tuned in 2023. Richard Lublin will appear in a feature film on HBO, and he and Christine will appear together in an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm.

“Sponsoring NIFF is a meaningful way to give back,” Richard said. “I have always found great joy and satisfaction in giving back to causes that are close to my heart.”