reported by Tristen McGill, CyberScreenwriter.com

Among the many companies presenting at the recent Smart Start Venture Forum one stood out from the rest. Amidst the high tech, medical equipment and software companies who came to Albany, New York to pitch their business plans was filmmaker Mike Camoin seeking funds to produce a feature-length movie that is set in Albany.

Camoin's pitch to potential investors was also atypical. Instead of slides and charts, the CEO of RoomGO3 Films showed the storyboard trailer for "Grazing Miss Albany," the film that he wrote and will also produce and direct.

"While not an exact match for traditional venture firms, RoomG03 Films' innovative approach and effective presentation was well received," according to Peter Pritchard, program director for the Center for Economic Growth, SmartStart's lead sponsor.

"The story could be set anywhere in the USA," Camoin stated, "Albany, Georgia, Albany, California or Albany, Oregon. However, it happens to be set in Albany, home of the Miss Albany Diner."

The diner is already a film star of sorts, having appeared in the film version of "Iron Weed," William Kennedy's Pulitzer Prize winning novel.

Comedy explores what happens when traditional religion and modern culture clash

Inspired by our fast changing culture and the rise in attention to religious values, Camoin's story showcases what happens when American culture and religion clash.

"Grazing Miss Albany" is about two brothers, Patrick, the owner of a struggling diner, and Francis, a priest sent on behalf of his superiors to investigate the diner's failed mortgage payments. How did this come about? When their very religious mother died, she willed all her possessions - including the deed to the diner - to her younger son's parish church, thus precipitating the sibling rivalry that is the heart of this film.

With a little luck, timing and investor support, Camoin's dramatic family comedy may one day put a new face on Albany, much as the movie Mystic Pizza did for Mystic CT. "It was the single biggest thing that ever happened to Mystic," states Linnea Lindstrom at the Mystic Chamber of Commerce. "It was like having a two hour commercial, worth millions of dollars, play around the world, absolutely free."

Camoin has been pitching his story throughout New York. In addition to the Smart Start Forum, Camoin was scheduled to present his trailer at the Venture Summit at Pace University.

The three-minute storyboard of "Grazing Miss Albany" can be seen at: www.grazingmissalbany.com .

For additional information:

SmartStart Venture Forum: http://www.smartstartvf.com/

Venture Summit, (at Pace University): http://www.vcsummit.com/