New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu


?>

 

Garden State Film Festival Seeks Submissions For 2016 Rising Star Award

originally published: 10/21/2015


(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Are you or someone you know a talented up and coming actor with ties to New Jersey? The Garden State Film Festival (GSFF), the state's largest and most respected film festival, is looking for accomplished actors on the rise that were born, raised or now reside in New Jersey for their 2016 Rising Star Award. The final deadline to submit is November 15, 2015. The award will be presented on April 3, 2016 at the festival's Black Tie Awards Dinner at the Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City. The fourteenth annual GSFF runs from March 31- April 3, 2016 in Atlantic City, NJ. More information on the event is available at  www.gsff.org.

The Garden State Film Festival's Rising Star Award is open to all present or former New Jersey actors, regardless of age of union affiliation. Eligible candidates must have a proven passion for the art form and have made inroads to the industry through hard work and determination. The deciding committee will be looking for a progression of work in theater, commercials, television and film.

Applicant must be available to attend Black Tie Awards Dinner on April 3, 2016 in Atlantic City to accept the award. Entry should include a headshot, resume, references and demo tape or DVD if sent by mail. Please send submissions electronically to [email protected] or by mail to GSFF 711 Boston Blvd., Sea Girt, NJ 08750. Mailed entries need to be postmarked no later than November 15, 2015 and submitted materials will not be returned to applicants.

The recipient of last year's Rising Star Award was the very talented New Jersey born and raised actress, writer and filmmaker Quinn Shephard.  At nineteen years old, Shephard's impressive feature film credits included Windsor, Unaccompanied Minors, Harrison's Flowers, From Other Worlds and Assassination of a High School President. Her television credits included a series regular role on Hostages, with guest-starring appearances on hit series Law & Order: SVU, The Blacklist, Believe, Made in Jersey and Person of Interest. As a writer/filmmaker, Shepard's first feature-length screenplay Blame was selected as a finalist for the Sundance 2014 Screenwriters Lab, her short story Brighter was runner up for the 2014 One Teen Story Writing Contest and her past directorial work has been featured at the Garden State Film Festival.

The Garden State Film Festival is also accepting entries until November 15, 2015 for independent films, movie music categories and screenplays from around the world. There are competitive categories in documentary, animated, narrative short and feature length films, as well as music videos, commercials, trailers and student projects.  The winners of all competitions will be recognized at The GSFF Black Tie Awards Dinner held on April 3, 2016 at the Claridge Hotel.  Submission instructions and more information can be found on the festival's website at www.gsff.org.

In 2015, the festival featured 180 films from 19 countries, hosted an open talent casting call, held engaging panel discussions, opening and closing ceremonies and inspired the next generation of filmmakers.  Ed Asner, Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno, Armand Assante, James Wilder, Siobhan Fallon Hogan, and Chance Kelly were among the celebrities and honorees that attended.  The long running event is a staple in the independent film festival circuit and celebrates its historic 14th anniversary in 2016.





Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info



FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Leviathan

Leviathan

Thursday, October 23, 2025 @ 6:00pm
Monmouth University - Bey Hall Auditorium
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: film


 

Hotel

Hotel Transylvania – A Sensory Friendly Movie Experience at UCPAC’s Main Stage

Friday, October 24, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ 07065
category: film


 

Hotel

Hotel Transylvania – A Sensory Friendly Movie Experience at UCPAC’s Main Stage

Friday, October 24, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ 07065
category: film


 

Ghostbusters

Ghostbusters in 35mm

Thursday, October 30, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Hamilton Stage at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC)
360 Hamilton Avenue, Rahway, NJ 07065
category: film


 

The

The Rocky Horror Picture Show – 50th Anniversary

Thursday, October 30, 2025 @ 9:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: film


 



Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info





 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Teaneck

Teaneck International Film Festival presents "Lilly" as Closing Film

(TEANECK, NJ) -- The Teaneck International Film Festival's 20th year program will close with the feature film, Lilly, on Sunday, November 9, 2025 at 7:30pm, at Temple Emeth (1666 Windsor Rd) in Teaneck. The film, based on the true story of Lilly Ledbetter, whose fight for equal rights in the workplace led to state and national legislation, is sponsored by YWCA of Northern New Jersey, Senator Loretta Weinberg, National Council of Jewish Women Bergen County Section, Shahanaz Arjumand, and WOW (Women of Wisdom).



"The

"The Phantom of the Opera" to Screen in Allentown with Live Organ Accompaniment

(ALLENTOWN, NJ) -- Are you looking for the ultimate Halloween experience? The Allentown Village Initiative (TAVI) will host a screening of the 1925 silent film classic "The Phantom of the Opera" with live organ accompaniment on Saturday, October 25, 2025 in the Allentown Methodist Church. A century after its original release, the mastery of the Phantom – played by Lon Chaney – is still the gold standard for Halloween fare. The event begins at 7:00pm. There is a suggested donation of $5 per person.



ACME

ACME Screening Room Presents: The Lambertville Halloween Film Festival and Monster Homecoming

(LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- ACME Screening Room kicks off Lambertville's historic Halloween festivities with the fourth annual Lambertville Halloween Film Festival, October 17-19, 2025. Come out for the juried LHFF short film festival and stick around for a weekend full of parties, horror guest speakers and special events.



Winners

Winners of the Fall 2025 New Jersey Film Festival Competition!

The competition component of the Fall 2025 New Jersey Film Festival has just concluded! Overall, we had a good festival this year. I want to thank all of the filmmakers, cast and crew who came to the in-person screenings for coming to talk about their films. Here below are the winners of the Fall 2025 New Jersey Film Festival. 



Teaneck

Teaneck International Film Festival Announces 20th Anniversary Lineup

(TEANECK, NJ) -- The Teaneck International Film Festival unveils its 20th anniversary roster! A project of The Puffin Foundation Ltd., the 20th anniversary festival will be held November 6-13, 2025, featuring over 25 films, panel discussions, awards, and parties with filmmakers, actors, elected officials and industry guests attending.