By Judy O’Gorman Alvarez
ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS – From a small outdoor event providing a venue for short independent films, FilmOneFest has grown into a well-respected international multifilm festival putting it and Atlantic Highlands on the map for independent filmmakers. More than 2,300 short-format films from 86 countries have been submitted to this year’s showcase, a whopping 575 percent increase over last year.
The idea of a two-minute film may have seemed quaint 11 years ago when the festival started, but now its timeliness, in addition to its growing reputation, has made it even more popular.
“It used to be very special, now it’s relevant,” said Corinna Thuss, director of FilmOneFest. “This is how the millennials communicate. The world is telling stories shorter now. The art of storytelling has changed.”
She credits the change to the popularity of smartphones, among other reasons.
Thuss has been watching FilmOneFest grow. “I’ve been there as an event planner, fundraiser and co-director for four years,” she said. Last year director Robert O’Connor, who founded the festival in 2008, passed the torch to Thuss so he could focus on his own artistic and musical endeavors. FilmOneFest, a project of the nonprofit Atlantic Highlands Arts Council, has been inviting film enthusiasts, weekenders and the curious to the Bayshore borough to view an eclectic mix of films – dramas, comedies, documentaries and more – from all over the world. All of the films are considered family friendly and run less than two minutes. The festival is free.
Courtesy FilmOneFest
Armed with beach chairs and blankets, some 3,000 people are expected to visit the Atlantic Highlands Marina July 20 to view the films under the moonlight beside Sandy Hook Bay and with a view of the New York City skyline.
This year’s festival offers a few changes. In addition to Thuss taking over as director, David Salowe has joined the team as submissions director. He’s assisted by a team of six judges and a curation committee who diligently work their way through submissions.
“The most important change was the platform for entering films,” Thuss said, which includes submission sites such as FilmFreeway and Withoutabox, making it easier for filmmakers to submit their films.
The ease of submission may account for the tremendous increase in entries this year.
“Last year we had 348 submissions,” she said. “This year to date we’ve had 2,350!”
With films representing 86 countries, the U.S. leads with the most entries at 343. Second is Iran with 111, followed by films from the U.K., India, France, Canada, Russia, Italy, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Korea and Guatemala. “They’re interesting, but it’s also important to hear their messages.”
Thuss says the momentum has been growing. “It’s been building,” she said, “and you really see we are an international film festival.”
Deadline for submissions has been extended to May 15.
Other changes this year include making the festival a little longer, with an earlier start time at 6 p.m.
Instead of arts and crafts vendors, Thuss said the festival would feature experiential exhibits. “We’re part of the arts council and wanted to include art-oriented, experiential things.”
Food trucks and a picnic area have also been added, and entertainment will include two bands. “Cranston Dean is coming back,” she said of the popular local musician. Last year he was rained out, but wants to return to perform this year. “He said that’s on the bucket list for him.”
Of course with even the best planning, outdoor festivals are subject to the whims of weather. Heavy rains forced last year’s FilmOneFest indoors to Henry Hudson Regional high school in Highlands. “It’s a little harder to replicate what we do on the lawn indoors, but it was a community partnership. It was a great community event.”
Throughout the year, FilmOneFest holds events such as movie premieres and FilmYoungFest to promote the talents of young filmmakers under 18. A benefit and auction dinner will be held May 11 at Branches in West Long Branch.
The festival’s goal is to raise awareness of the arts and of the Atlantic Highlands community. “We want to keep that spirit of the community coming together, enjoying the arts,” Thuss said, as well as provide a showcase for innovative short films.
“You just can’t find this on Netflix,” she said.
For information, visit filmonefest.org.
