Big changes are planned for the the 2011 Staten Island Film Festival scheduled for June 8 – 12, 2011. First up the festival is moving and will not return to the College of Staten Island. Instead the festival will screen its films at Snug Harbor Cultural Center, the Staten Island Zoo and the St. George Theatre with an additional screening at the Joan and Alan Bernikow Jewish Community Center of Staten Island.

Transportation concerns reportedly played a big role in the venue change. “Twenty-five percent of our constituents are seniors. The walk from the parking lot to … the Center for the Arts was a little much,” Cesar Claro, president and CEO of the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation, which organizes the film festivale said. “Plus, we realized we really had high numbers for two reasons: 50 percent of our constituents come from the North Shore. Plus, there are a lot of people that take the boat over from Manhattan, making this the ideal location for the festival.”

Additionally, admission will be free for everyone and festival attendees will not need to purchase screening passes.