Harvey Weinstein, Tony Bennett, First Time Fest
Credit: Leftonred Atanycorner.

Those were the strong words for which movie mogul Harvey Weinstein got a roaring audience applause at the Gansevoort Park Avenue, where he was honored during the closing ceremony at the Third Annual FIRST TIME FEST.

Regarding the film industry, Weinstein continued: “An artist works hard and we screw it up because we didn’t read the tea leaves. Everyone’s always blaming the artist. Why don’t we blame the company?”

Tony Bennett, Dean Winters, Norman Reedus, Mick Rock, and Gay Talese were among those applauding the movie mogul’s contributions to First Time Filmmakers.

Although the night was a tribute to Weinstein, he lauded pal Quentin Tarantino by saying, “He is the most ethical…he has the most integrity. In an industry with little loyalty, Quentin is loyal and we’ve gone through mostly amazing things together.”

Throughout the evening guests enjoyed light bites by Asellina, cocktails by Qui Tequila and Deep Eddy Vodka, Peroni beer and live DJ entertainment before heading up to the after party at Gansevoort Park Rooftop.

Pictured: Weinstein, Bennett