Johnny Mac Story Heads to Long Island Film Festival

The story of FDNY firefighter John “Johnny Mac” McNamara, his battle with 9/11-related cancer and the love that sustained his family is making its way to the screen.

“Johnny Mac,” an independent film project inspired by McNamara’s life, has been named an official selection of the New York Long Island Film Festival, where a 6½-minute presentation will screen Oct. 24 at 4:30 p.m. in Lindenhurst. The festival lists the film in its Saturday afternoon block at the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge.

McNamara’s widow, Jennifer, said the project began after the filmmaker approached her intending to tell a story about firefighters and cancer.

“She came to me and we spoke about firefighters and cancer, and that was the story she was originally doing,” McNamara said. “By the end of the night, speaking with me, she decided it was a movie she absolutely had to make.”

The filmmaker saw something larger — a love story built around John and Jennifer’s relationship, his illness and a family confronting the consequences of 9/11.

“We tell the story of one, which is the story of me and John and our battle with 9/11 cancer, and it’s really the story of many,” McNamara said.

John spent more than 500 hours working at Ground Zero following the Sept. 11 attacks. He was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in 2006 and died in 2009 at age 44. Jennifer later established the Johnny Mac Foundation to carry on his commitment to helping others.

McNamara said the production has deliberately remained independent to protect the integrity of the story.

“We don’t want a big studio to come in and change the story,” she said.

The cast includes actors portraying John and Jennifer, Kazy Tauginas and Kayla Emerson, respectively, along with UFC Hall of Famer Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone as John’s best friend.

More information, including behind-the-scenes interviews and updates on the film, is available through the Johnny Mac Film Facebook page.