All eyes were on the stars of the second-annual Staten Island Film Festival during the kick off party Thursday night. NY1's Mara Montalbano filed the following report from the red carpet.

It was a star-studded night at Snug Harbor Thursday, as David Blaine, Danny Aiello, and many up-and-coming filmmakers walked the red carpet into the festival's feature film — “The Poet.”

“I've been very fortunate to be at many of these events and opening premiers all over the world, but I got to tell you, coming from Staten Island, it's a trip!” said Great Kills resident Julius Nasso, who produced “The Poet.”

The movie, which stars Daryl Hannah, is a love story set in World War II.

More than 30 Island filmmakers contributed to this year's film festival.

“It's the best feeling in the world,” said actor and Huguenot resident Gaetano Iacono. “I feel like the movie is playing in my backyard.”

“[Things are] so far, so good. I think [my film] sold out,” said filmmaker Gautama Kavuri of Bulls Head. “It's another advantage of living in the town where they have a film festival.”

Some say the Island served as the inspiration for their films.

“Staten Island is a great undiscovered kind of venue to shoot films and we were hoping to exhibit some of the best venues to shoot,” said Andrew Flores, a filmmaker and Westerleigh resident.

Organizers say the second-annual film festival is already shaping up to be more successful than the first. They're showing more films, selling more tickets, and received film submissions that came in from around the world — thanks to buzz generated by last year’s festival.

“I'm really excited about the opportunity to show the city and the rest of the country what Staten Island is all about and what its like to live here and raise a family,” said Brian Farley of the Staten Island Film Festival. “I think this film festival has a lot of enthusiasm and it gives us that opportunity.”

The film festival runs through Saturday. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to www.sifilmfestival.org.

-Mara Montalbano