By Mary Ann Bourbeau
ASBURY PARK – The Garden State Film Festival (GSFF) celebrates independent films and serves as a forum for independent filmmakers to network with other industry professionals. It also pays tribute to the state’s legacy as the birthplace of the industry in America thanks to Thomas Edison, who invented the first film cameras and projectors in his Menlo Park laboratories. It also pays tribute to the Borough of Fort Lee, where the first movie studios were located.
Since it premiered in 2003, the GSFF has brought $8 million in economic vitality to the state, said Lauren Concar, GSFF executive director and head of the television department at Brookdale Community College.
“We are a destination film festival,” she said. “We always say we’re having a party for 25,000 of our closest friends.” The nonprofit festival has been expanded to five nights this year, from Wednesday, March 27 through Sunday, March 31. This year, 247 films from 22 countries will be screened in 10 different venues. These films were chosen from more than 2,000 submissions.
“Our committee has a rigorous selection process,” said Concar.
Also new this year, the film festival has created nine categories of acting awards.
“We always listen to our fans and this is something they have wanted for a while,” said Concar.
The GSFF offers cocktail parties, meet-the-filmmaker events, panel discussions, animation workshops and a live reading of the 2019 GSFF Screenplay winner. The event opens with a special screening of the documentary, “My Dinner with Alan,” at the Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove. On the eve of the publication of their book, “The Sopranos Sessions,” TV critics Alan Sepinwall and Matt Zoller Seitz meet at Holsten’s in Bloomfield, the location of the controversial last scene of “The Sopranos.” Following the film will be a panel discussion with the authors along with film director Kristen Fraga and Sopranos stars Artie Pasquale, Dan Grimaldi and Federico Castelluccio.
“We’re super-excited about this event,” said Concar.
Among the local films is “Collier House,” a documentary about a program in Keyport for women ages 18-21 who are homeless or transitioning from the foster care system. Collier House helps young women develop the skills they need to live healthy, self-sufficient and productive lives.
“How this place changes young women’s lives is unbelievable,” said Concar. “Miss Whiskers” tells the tale of John Phillips, a carpet salesman by day who becomes a feline interpretive dancer at night. Filmmaker Kevin Mahoney lives in Point Pleasant and also shot the film there. “Black 47” is about a battle-hardened soldier in 1847 who deserts the British army to return home to Ireland, where he finds his country ravaged by famine.
“It’s very dramatic,” said Concar. “I can’t wait for everyone to be able to see it.”
Filmed in Norway and inspired by true events, “The Bird Catcher” follows a 15-year-old Jewish girl forced to conceal her identity from the Nazis. It’s a story of survival of the spirit in the face of adversity. The film stars German actor August Diehl, best known for his performance in Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds.” Diehl, winner of the GSFF’s Independent Spirit Award, will be on hand to accept his award in person.
This year, the Garden State Film Festival is honoring several New Jersey residents who have made their mark in the film industry. Actor and producer Brian O’Halloran, who is known for the movies “Clerks” and “Mallrats,” will receive the Spirit of New Jersey Award. The Rising Star Award goes to singer/actress Allison Strong from Netflix’s “The Week Of” and Amazon’s “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.”
“As soon as we watched her reel, we knew she had it, although you can’t really explain what ‘it’ is,” said Concar. “There’s just something about her.”
Actor/director Kim Waltrip, a longtime supporter of GSFF, was named MVP.
Brookdale Community College President David Stout, Ph.D., is this year’s honorary chair. Educator of the Year awards will be presented to Erin Gomez and Linda Krebs, members of the Shore Consortium for the Gifted and Talented. “They go above and beyond for their students,” said Concar.
The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to honorary GSFF board member Siobhan Fallon Hogan, whose film credits include “Men in Black,” “Forrest Gump,” “Holes” and “Baby Mama.” She can be seen this summer in “The Professor” with Johnny Depp and will soon begin filming a script that she wrote, entitled “Frat Haze,” directed by fellow Rumson resident Rob Margolies.
“The Garden State Film Festival is just fantastic for New Jersey,” said Fallon Hogan. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for filmmakers and it’s great for Monmouth County and the surrounding area.” Fallon Hogan will accept her award at a banquet Sunday, March 31 at the Berkeley Hotel Crystal Ballroom.
“I’m completely humbled and very grateful,” she said. “I hope this doesn’t mean I have one foot in the grave!”
Every venue used for the GSFF is ADA compliant. Patrons in wheelchairs are admitted free, along with their helpers. For events, film schedules and tickets, visit gsff.org.
Arts and entertainment writer Mary Ann Bourbeau can be reached at mbour- beau@tworiver times.com.
