All the works being screened, with the exception of seven programs, are part of the New Jersey Film Festival competition and were selected by a panel of judges including media professionals, journalists, students, and academics. These judges selected the 23 finalists which will be publicly screened at the Festival. The finalists were selected from over 277 works submitted by filmmakers from around the world. In addition, the judges will choose the Prize Winners in conjunction with the Festival Director. Prize winners will be announced after the screenings on Sunday, October 5, 2014
Some of the films being premiered include: Evan Mathew Weinstein's Leaving Circadia -- a kooky yet charming independent feature from New Jersey; Gabriel Baron and Bjorn Thorstad's beautiful short film Waking Marshall Walker; Marylou and Jerome Bongiorno's The Rule -- a documentary film an acclaimed school in Newark, New Jersey; Yan Chi Lai's N+N – a charming, heartfelt feature film from Hong Kong; Lendita Zeqiraj's Balcony – an amazing single-take film from Kosovo; Ryan Douglass & Sara Leavitt's Sound and Chaos: The Story of BC Studio – a wonderful documentary on a Brooklyn based music studio threatened by encroaching gentrification; Antoine Blanchet's The Black Butterflies – a lovely short film from France; John Le Blanc's Dog Down - an inspiring documentary about discarded dogs who are given a second chance; and many others.
Over twenty guest appearances have been confirmeded, including visits by film directors, producers, and actors to the New Jersey Film Festival. All visiting directors will introduce their work and do a Question and Answer session after the screenings. For more information on these special guest appearances visit www.njfilmfest.com.
Classic and rare experimental film screenings will take place on select Thursday evenings. These films include: George Melies and László Moholy-Nagy Retrospectives and a two American Experimental Film Programs.
The New Jersey Film Festival Fall 2014 is funded and sponsored in part by The Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center; The Rutgers University Program in Cinema Studies/School of Arts and Sciences; Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission/Board of Chosen Freeholders and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; The Rutgers University School of Arts and Sciences; The Rutgers University Office of Academic Engagement and Programming, The Rutgers University American Studies Department; Rutgers University School of Arts and Sciences Honors Program; The Rutgers University Centers for Global Advancement and International Affairs (GAIA Centers); Confucius Institute of Rutgers University; The Rutgers Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs; The Rutgers University History Department; Johnson & Johnson; WCTC/WMGQ; WRSU; The Home News Tribune; Jungle Software; New Brunswick City Market; Footage Firm; Videoblocks; The Rutgers University Office of Community Affairs; The Rutgers University Digital Classroom Services Department; Design Ideas; Advanced Printing; Steven C. Schechter, Esq.; Share and Harris.
For more information visit www.njfilmfest.com.
