ROCKEY IN THE NEWS
January 17, 2007:
"Forgotten On The Bayou" recently was invited to screen at a special event held by the Cinema Society of San Diego.  The film was a hit and the over 600 people who showed up for the screening gave the film and Rockey two standing ovations.  Society Director Andy Friedenberg said:  "In nearly 25 years we've screened many great films and I've never seen this kind of reaction."  Click on the video above right to hear Friedenberg's reaction.  To read additional comments from the Cinema Society of San Diego,  click here.
BREAKING NEWS
OZONE FILM FESTIVAL OPENING NIGHT 2007:"FORGOTTEN ON THE BAYOU" PACKS FUHRMANN AUDITORIUM   October 25, 2007

The largest turnout for any single screening was on the fest's opening night.

On Friday night, October 6, an enthusiastic crowd of nearly 400 people showed up to see this outstanding film by Louisiana filmmaker Steven Scaffidi. Those in attendance were treated to a documentary with everything: a true story so compelling it seems more like good fiction - with its hero, a cast of colorful characters, comic relief, geniune drama, and including some of the most gripping Hurricane Katrina footage yet seen. This was a doc-maker's dream, and Scaffidi nailed it – FORGOTTEN is a beautifully paced and well executed documentary – which now may add OFF 2007 Best Documentary to its list of honors. Thanks to Rockey Vaccarella for attending and taking questions from the audience and to Angelle Albright for hosting the presentation. What a great night this was for the city of Covington and the Louisiana film industry.
“FORGOTTEN ON THE BAYOU” WINS PHILADELPHIA AND OZONE FILM FESTIVALS  
October 18, 2007

“Forgotten on the Bayou: Rockey’s Mission to the White House” recently won first-place honors at the First Glance Philadelphia Film Festival. Out of more than 500 films, “Forgotten on the Bayou: Rockey’s Mission to the White House” won for Best Documentary Feature Film. The film also won the top award at this year’s Ozone Film Festival in Covington, LA where the film screened in front of a packed house of close to 500 people and received a standing ovation.

Katrina survivor Rockey Vaccarella made world news a year ago when he towed his FEMA trailer to Washington DC asking for a dinner with President Bush. The film is a feature-length documentary chronicling Rockey’s journey from his devastated hometown of Mereaux, Louisiana to the Oval Office for a most unlikely meeting with the President of the United States.

The film has won some of the top film festivals around the country and is recognized as one of the top documentaries in the world. Some of the awards include: The prestigious Humanitarian Vision Award at the Newport Beach Film Festival and Best Documentary Feature Film at the Moondance Film Festival in Los Angeles, California.

“Forgotten on the Bayou” is produced by Ghost Rider Pictures and directed by New Orleans native Steven Scaffidi. The film has been selected by the San Diego Film Society as the only film to screen for a special event held in LaJolia, California for the eight-hundred “Who’s Who” of Southern California. The special event will take place on November 6, 2007 at the LaJolia AMC Theater. The film’s director will attend the event along with the film’s star Rockey Vaccarella.

David Garber of Lantern Lane Entertainment represents the film for domestic and international distribution. To view the movie trailer and additional video clips, click here

ROCKEY COMMITS TO REBUILDING HIS HOMETOWN AND THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS
October 13, 2007

A packed house of more than 400 people came to see the award-winning film "Forgotten on the Bayou" in the city of Covington, LA, a small town 25 miles north of New Orleans. The crowd gave Rockey a standing ovation and embraced the film and its positive message of hope. Rockey promissed to help people still in need and said, "I want to go knock on people's doors who still live in a FEMA trailer, find out why, see where the red tape is, and then I can help them through Washington get what they need to get back in their house." People across America have praised this uplifting film which has captured the hearts of people everywhere.

FORGOTTEN ON THE BAYOU screening at the Ozone Film Festival
October 1, 2007

FORGOTTEN ON THE BAYOU is the premiere film at the 2007 Ozone Film Festival. The award-winning film that has captured the hearts of American's everywhere will kick off this up and coming festival in Covington, LA just north of New Orleans. The film will screen at the Fuhrmann Auditorium in the Greater Covington Center at 317 North Jefferson Street on Friday, October 5th at 9:00PM. Rockey Vaccarella, whose unforgettable journey was covered by the world news, will attend the screening.
Popular WWL Radio personality Garland Robinette said: "Not a dry eye in my house during the viewing. Rockey is truly an incredible individual and those that backed him and believed in him are no less heroic. Congratulations is not an adequate word. No words are adequate. It is truly the most remarkable documentary I have ever seen." Movie critic Mike Scott of the Times Picayune wrote: "Rockey's road leads to inspiring film. (Director) Scaffidi positions the film as an inspirational story, a statement about what one person can accomplish if he puts his mind to it. It also bears an undeniable relevance, given all the work that still must be done." Head of Gulf Coast Rebuilding Donald Powell said: "It wan an inspiring movie...inspiring movie! This picture presented the heart and soul of the folks in St. Bernard Parish. Award-winning Entertainer Charmaine Neville said: "The film was spectacular. Rockey did one hell of a job. I tell you, following him from leaving here and making it all the way to Washington, D.C., it was like I was going with him."

For more information visit the Ozone Film Festival website: www.ozonefilmfest.com

JULY 10, 2008 Legendary Fisherman from the Louisiana Bayou, Blackie Campo passed away on Thursday, July 10, 2008.  He was 90 years old.  Blackie and his wife Mabel were featured in the award-winning film "Forgotten on the Bayou".

Forgotten on the Bayou wins award at Moondance Film Festival
September 14, 2007

The incredible film starring "Rockey" who survived Hurricane Katrina by holding on to a rope on his roof then tows his FEMA trailer to the White House to have dinner with the President of the United States receives another accolade. "Forgotten on the Bayou" won for Best Feature Documentary Film at the Moondance International Film Festival in Hollywood, California. The film screened at Universal Studios City Walk to an enthusiastic crowd which had the opportunity to meet the film's star and director following the screening. The film is represented by David Garber of Lantern Lane Entertainment and is available for world-wide distribution.

Audience Reaction
FORGOTTEN ON THE BAYOU SCREENS FOR A STANDING ROOM ONLY CROWD AT NUNEZ COMMUNITY COLLEGE
August 31, 2007

The award-winning film about "Rockey's" incredible journey to the White House recently screened in Rockey's hometown of Chalmette, Louisiana in the heart of St. Bernard Parish. St. Bernard was "ground zero" when Hurricane Katrina made landfall and many people of this small region just outside of the city of New Orleans are still suffering nearly two years later. Despite the fact the film screened at the same time the local icons - New Orleans Saints kicked off, the film drew and standing room only crowd of nearly 400 people. Some even came to protest the film and surprise guest Chairman Donald Powell the top man for Gulf Coast Rebuilding, but when the credits rolled everyone was on their feet cheering. The film received a five minute standing ovation and captured the hearts and emotions of everyone in the theater. "This was no Spike Lee Katrina flick and thank God for that", exclaimed one movie goer, "Rockey had you laughing and pulling for him the entire time. This was definitely not just another depressing film about Katrina." FORGOTTEN ON THE BAYOU is now headed for the Moondance Film Festival in Hollywood, California and will screen on Saturday night September 8th at 7pm in Universal Studios' City Walk Theaters. After that the film will play in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the First Glance Film Festival then in San Diego, California at special invitation of the San Diego Film Society. David Garber of Lantern Lane Entertainment represents the film and is now seeking world-wide distribution.

Film receives standing ovation -- View Photos
Times Picayune praises FORGOTTEN ON THE BAYOU
August 23, 2007

Movie critic Mike Scott of the New Orleans Times Picayune Newspaper recently reviewed the award-winning film FORGOTTEN ON THE BAYOU and wrote, "Rockey's road leads to inspiring film". His article published on Friday, August 17th in the paper's Lagniappe section went on to say, "(Director) Scaffidi positions the film as an inspirational story, a statement about what one person can accomplish if he puts his mind to it. It also bears an undeniable relevance, given all the work that still must be done". Scott ends his review saying, "The film is an interesting portrait of an interesting guy -- one of our guys -- and there is plenty of inspiration there for anyone hoping to find it". Movie review.

Ghost Rider Pictures Scores 2 simultaneous Moondance screenings
August 22, 2007

Today the posters for the Moondance International Film Festival screening of FORGOTTEN ON THE BAYOU were unveiled. This award-winning film will screen back to back with another Ghost Rider Pictures film EXECUTION. Festival organizers said, "It is unprecedented for one filmmaker to have two films screening in the festival at the same time". Both films will screen on Saturday, September 8, 2007 at Universal Studios City Walk, Hollywood. "Forgotten on the Bayou" will screen at 7:00 PM in Theater II and "Execution" will screen at 10:15 PM in Theater I.

Forgotten on the Bayou: Rockey's Mission to the White House', will have a special local screening at Nunez Community College in Chalmette, LA on Thursday, August 23, 2007, exactly one year to the day since Rockey Vaccarella's historic meeting with the President of the United States. This will be the first local screening of the film which recently won the prestigious Humanitarian Vision Award at the Newport Beach Film Festival. The film is also an official selection of the Palm Beach International Film Festival, Moondance International Film Festival and the First Glance Philadelphia Film Festival. Rockey Vaccarella made world news last August when he towed his FEMA trailer to the White House asking for a dinner with President Bush. The film is a feature-length documentary chronicling Rockey's journey from his devastated hometown of Mereaux, Louisiana to the Oval Office for a most unlikely meeting with the President of the United States.

Rockey first made news when he survived Hurricane Katrina by holding on to a rope on his roof for over four hours. As amazing as that feat was, his mission to raise awareness about the devastation of Katrina is what captured the attention of America and much of the world. On August 18, 2006 Rockey set out to deliver a message to President Bush. His message was simply: 'Thanks for everything but the job is not done and don't forget us.' By the time Rockey and his caravan arrived in the nation's capitol, his story was being covered by press from around the world. Today, Rockey and his family are back in their home after a long struggle to rebuild. He recently opened a family pizzeria called Rockey V's and is hopeful that he can inspire others to rebuild their homes and the region. Rockey is confident that his hometown will come back.

'Forgotten on the Bayou: Rockey's Mission to the White House' will screen one-time-only at the Nunez Community College Auditorium, 3710 Paris Road, Chalmette, LA on Thursday, August 23, 2007 at 7PM. Rockey Vaccarella along with the film's director Steven Scaffidi of Ghost Rider Pictures will attend the event and a Q & A session will follow the screening. Following this special event, the film will screen at the Moondance International Film Festival in Hollywood, CA on September 8th, the First Glance Philadelphia Film Festival on October 6th and in San Diego, CA on November 6th.

The film is represented for domestic and international distribution by David Garber of Lantern Lane Entertainment.
AWARD WINNING FILM ABOUT KATRINA SURVIVOR TO HAVE FIRST LOCAL NEW ORLEANS AREA SCREENING
August 14, 2007
"FORGOTTEN ON THE BAYOU" SCREENING IN ROCKEY'S HOMETOWN AND AT MAJOR U.S. FILM FESTIVALS
August 6, 2007

The award-winning film "Forgotten on the Bayou: Rockey's Mission to the White House" will have its local premiere at Nunez Community College in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana on Thursday, August 23rd. This very special event is dedicated to the rebuilding of St. Bernard Parish, New Orleans and the Gulf Coast Region and is open to the public. Limited seating will be available on a first-come, first served basis and producers recommend that people arrive early. Doors open at 7pm.

On September 8th the film will screen in the prestigious Moondance International Film Festival at 7:00pm at the Universal Studios City Walk Theaters in Hollywood, California. Moondance is known as the "American Cannes" and is considered one of the most important film festivals in the country. Rockey and the film's director Steven Scaffidi will be in attendance and there will be a special Q & A session following the screening. For more information visit the Moondance website www.moondancefilmfestival.com.

On Saturday, October 6th at 5:00pm in the Adrienne Theater, the film will screen again at the First Glance Philadelphia Film Festival in downtown Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The festival is known as the largest and most respected bi-coastal film festival in the world. With nearly 2,000 films entered this year, "Forgotten on the Bayou" is one of only four feature documentaries to be screened. For more information visit the festival website www.firstglancefilms.com.

Finally, on November, 6th the film will screen in San Diego, California at the AMC La Jolla 12 Theater. The San Diego Film Society has personally invited the film to screen for the "who's - who" of the San Diego area in a special event sponsored by the Film Society. There will be two screenings at 5:00pm and 7:30pm and the event is open only to invited guests and the media. Rockey and Steven Scaffidi will be in attendance to talk about the film and the rebuilding of Greater New Orleans and the Gulf Coast Region. Organizers estimate nearly 800 key opinion makers could attend the event.

FORGOTTEN ON THE BAYOU TO BE SCREENED AT FIRST GLANCE PHILADELPHIA FILM FESTIVAL
July 12, 2007



"Forgotten on the Bayou: Rockey's Mission to the White House" has been selected as one of only five feature length docs to be screened at the 2007 First Glance Philadelphia Film Festival. This is a great fest and we are now eligible to be screened at First Glance Hollywood in December. "The Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide" calls First Glance "the fastest growing bi-coastal indie fests in the world. For more information about the festival and to see the list of this years finalists, please visit the First Glance Philadelphia Website.  September is going to be a big month for us with "Execution" and "Rockey" being selected for Moondance in Hollywood for Sept. 7, 8 and 9, and "Rockey" going to First Glance in Philly September 28 thru Oct. 7th.
FORGOTTEN ON THE BAYOU SELECTED FOR 2007 MOONDANCE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL IN HOLLYWOOD
July 12, 2007




"Forgotten on the Bayou: Rockey's Mission to the White House" has been selected to screen at the 2007 Moondance International Film Festival in Hollywood, California. Moondance, popularly known as the "American Cannes", was voted the third most important film festival in the world, after Cannes and Sundance in an online poll of 150,000 international film industry professionals. Over 82 countries are represented in Moondance entries and participants. Most of the Moondance winning and finalist films have been purchased and distributed world-wide, for television and theatrical release. Thre Moondance film winners
have been subsequently nominated for the Academy Awards. This years festival will be held at Universal Studios City Walk in Hollywood, California Friday through Sunday, September 7th, 8th and 9th. Screening times for the film will be announced in the next few weeks. For more information about the festival and to see the list of this years finalists, please visit the Moondance Website.
FORGOTTEN ON THE BAYOU WINS AWARD
May 10, 2007

The much talked about documentary film "Forgotten on the Bayou: Rockey's Mission to the White House" won the Humanitarian Vision Special Achievement Award at the Newport Beach Film Festival. The film was honored with this special award at the historic Lido Theater. Festival Director Gregg Schwenk claimed that this was the most competitive year ever with nearly 2,000 entries from around the world. Earlier in the week the film premiered in Palm Beach and Boca Raton, Florida at the Palm Beach International Film Festival where the film received a standing ovation from the audience.


Rockey first made news when he survived Hurricane Katrina by holding on to a rope on his roof for over four hours. As amazing as that feat was, his mission to raise awareness about the devastation of Katrina is what captured the attention of America and much of the world. On August 18, 2006 Rockey set out to deliver a message to President Bush. His message was simply: “Thanks for everything but the job is not done and don’t forget us.” By the time Rockey and his caravan arrived in the nation’s capitol his story was being covered by press from around the world. Despite the fact that the White House told Rockey that the President would not meet with him, Rockey never gave up in his quest to deliver his message. On Wednesday, August 23, 2006 at 9:55am, Rockey surprised everyone when he met with President Bush in the Oval Office for an amazing 41 minutes.

Today Rockey Vaccarella was on Fox News Network with Neil Cavuto to discuss the current situation in the New Orleans region in respect to the progress of the rebuilding effort. Rocky's interview was live on FOX NEWS across America today at 3:30pm CST from the WVUE Television studios in New Orleans, Louisiana. Rockey told Cavuto that he is concerned that the rebuilding is moving slowly and that his mission is to continue to remind America that the job is not finished and not to forget the people of the New Orleans area and Gulf Coast region.

Rockey also told the FOX News Anchor that President Bush and him discussed the 110 billion dollars that was sent to help the people in need during their August meeting in the Oval Office. The President told Rockey that the money sent to the region was the largest sum of money ever spent on American soil to help people affected by a natural disaster.

Rockey's new documentary film FORGOTTEN ON THE BAYOU: Rockey's Mission to the White House is complete and takes the audience behind the scenes of his struggle to survive Katrina and his personal mission to deliver his message of hope to the President of the United States and the American people. The film's producers are now seeking distribution. The film is represented by David Garber of Lantern Lane Entertainment in Calabasas, California.

© 2008 Ghost Rider Pictures. All Rights Reserved.
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AUDIENCES IN SAN DIEGO GIVE "ROCKEY" TWO STANDING OVATIONS November 6, 2007

Society Director's Comments
Audience Reaction
a GHOST RIDER PICTURES PRODUCTION
"When you have a dream and hope, get up and go do it."
Rockey Vaccarella, Hurricane Survivor and Dreamer
Mr. President,
the job's not done.  Don't forget about us.
You can
do it Rock!
'cause frankly,
I'm out of here!
ADDITIONAL NEWS and UPDATES Quick Links
  • "Forgotten on the Bayou" star, Rockey Vaccarella, traveled throughout the city of New Orleans interviewing people on the street just days before Hurricane Gustav hit the Louisiana coast.  Sept. 8, 2008
  • Legendary Fisherman from the Louisiana Bayou, Blackie Campo passed away on Thursday, July 10, 2008.  He was 90 years old.  Blackie and his wife Mabel were featured in the award-winning film "Forgotten on the Bayou".
  • Rockey writes a letter to the President and invites him to a special screening of the film in April Feb 22, 2008
  • Audiences in San Diego Give "Rockey" Two Standing Ovations November 6, 2007
Agent Phil Irvin of Rebel Entertainment Partners has put together a deal with Emmy winning Producer/Director Scott Messick to develop and produce the "Rockey" Reality Television Series.  Messick, along with show creator Steven Scaffidi and Extreme Makeover Home Edition director Glen "GT" Talyor, will begin pitching the reality series to television networks before the end of the year.   Sept. 10, 2008  
NEW ORLEANS - SEPT. 8, 2008 - "Forgotten on the Bayou" star, Rockey Vaccarella, traveled throughout the city of New Orleans interviewing people on the street just days before Hurricane Gustav hit the Louisiana coast.
ROCKEY INTERVIEWS NEW ORLEANIANS AS HURRICANE GUSTAV APPROACHES September 8, 2008
A TRIBUTE TO LEGENDARY BAYOU FISHERMAN BLACKIE CAMPO   July 10, 2008
PEOPLE WILL SHARE INSPIRATIONAL AND UPLIFTING STORIES INCLUDING SPECIAL GUEST MR. HERBERT GETTRIDGE

KENNER, LA – AUGUST 20, 2009 – Chateau Golf and Country Club is offering its members and other invited guests in the community the opportunity to share their uplifting and inspirational stories about August 29, 2005.  The event, “Where were you August 29th 2005?”, will be a celebration of what’s possible if we refuse to give up.  The focus of the event is on the positive stories that came out of Hurricane Katrina and not the all too familiar problems.  Community leaders and general citizens will come together in hopes of inspiring people to continue moving forward and to rebuild their communities better than ever before.  This event will celebrate the hope, courage, and the power of the human spirit of the people of Southeastern Louisiana.

This special night will feature the screening of the award-winning film “Forgotten on the Bayou”.  No other story following Hurricane Katrina showed the fighting spirit of Louisiana residents more than the story of Rockey Vaccarella towing his FEMA trailer to the White House.  The evening’s special guest is 86 year old Mr. Herbert Gettridge, who was one of the first people to rebuild in the lower ninth ward, doing the job all by himself.  Mr. Herbert is not only featured in “Forgotten on the Bayou”, but he is also the subject for the PBS documentary, “The Old Man and the Storm”.   Event organizers are hopeful that Rockey’s story, and Mr. Herbert’s appearance, will inspire others by sending a powerful message that anything is possible if we work hard and refuse to give up.

This uplifting and often humorous film is the winner of the prestigious Humanitarian Vision Award at the Newport Beach Film Festival, and winner of Best Documentary at the Moondance International Film Festival in Hollywood, First Glance Philadelphia Film Festival, and Louisiana's own Ozone Film Festival. The film also screened in Southern California at a special event held by the San Diego Film Society where over 600 people gave it a standing ovation. Society Director Andy Friedenberg said, "In over 24 years I've never seen a response like this. It was amazing!”

The event will take place on Saturday, August 29, 2009 for 7pm at the Chateau Golf and Country Club located at 3600 Chateau Blvd in Kenner, LA. 

For more information contact: Michelle Swanner
Phone:  504-467-1351
Email:  admin@chateaugcc.com