Garden State Film Festival

The Oscar’s are over. We have seen a silent film take the evening’s highest honors: best director, best actor, and best film. We have seen Meryl Streep accept another award with her typical humility and charm. We have seen George Clooney’s smile and Angelina Jolie’s leg. Now can we please get back to the joy of watching great films and leave the red carpet chaos behind? In Asbury Park, the answer is a resounding YES!

This month the 10th Anniversary of the Garden State Film Festival returns to the real Jersey Shore with a bang. Bigger and better than ever with more films of all shapes and sizes, more celebrity appearances and more of an opportunity for everyday people to enter a world where cinema is as revered as, well…George Clooney’s smile or Angelina Jolie’s leg.

To delve deeper into the fantasy world of film and the essentials of why this particular film festival has more to offer for the discerning and enthusiastic moviegoer, we suggest you check out their web site (included below).                  But if I may, let me rave on about some things you should not miss…

The Parties
10th Anniversary Tribute to Robert Pastorelli – The namesake for the Rising Star Award, Robert is honored this year with a panel of friends, celebrities and co-workers who will share their stories as well as film clips of the late actor and festival co-founder.
Friday Night Gala Cocktail Party – This event at the Paramount Theatre kicks off the festivities with a film screening, food, drinks, celebrities and entertainment.
Sunday Evening GSFF Awards Dinner – This closing ceremony held at Crystal Point Yacht Club in Point Pleasant will toast the year’s competition winners and honor the filmmakers. A great way to say goodbye to the new friends and the newly famous.

The Awards
The Robert Pastorelli Rising Star Award – Given to an up and coming talent each year for recognition of their success in the industry, this year’s award goes to Adam Mucci, who has appeared in many films and TV shows and can currently be seen on HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire.”
Broader Vision Award – For achievement in filmmaking for the greater good, this year’s honoree is Sphere, for their mission to create a better life for adults with developmental disabilities. They will present their film, “ShakeSPHERE Romeo and Juliet.”

Professional Panel Discussions
Reel Jersey Girls: Centennial of Alice Guy Blache’s Solax Studio – 100 years of Women Filmmakers – Before women had the right to vote, this woman had produced over a hundred films. Rick Santorum is not in any of them.
The Real History of Hip-Hop in New Jersey – With this year’s Spirit of New Jersey Award recipients Wonder Mike and Master Gee.
And of course…

The Films
Passionate filmmakers from all over the world share their visions and dreams with an audience eager and open to embrace a series of movies you cannot see anywhere else but in Film Festivals. They encompass the human condition in every shape and form and run the gamut of pure entertainment. There are many venues for the screenings, various times and seatings (hint: get there early) and well over a hundred films, both long and short-form for you to eNJoy.

For detailed information – locations, dates, times, tickets, special events…
www.gsff.org

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