(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center, in association with the Rutgers University Program In Cinema Studies, presents the New Jersey Film Festival Spring 2017 from January 28 to March 3. Showcasing new international films, American independent features, experimental and short subjects, classic revivals, and cutting-edge documentaries, the New Jersey Film Festival Spring 2017 will feature over 30 film screenings. This marks the festival's 35th Anniversary!
Over 20 films will have their New Jersey or Area Premiere (Middlesex County) screenings as part of the New Jersey Film Festival Spring 2016 and the United States Super 8 Film & Digital Video Festival. Some of these include: Michael Hadley’s Knights of New Jersey which is a comedic, behind-the-scenes look at a troupe of Renaissance Faire actors; Benjamin Ross Hayden’s The Northlander -- a well conceived post-apocalyptic film from Canada; Andrea Marini’s Art of The Prank – a very entertaining documentary on Joey Skaggs who is both an artist and a professional prankster; Zuzelin Martin Lynch’s timely and insightful documentary about Cuban-Americans and their complicated relationship with Cuba; Yuri Muraoka’s Schizophrenia which is an intriguing experimental film where the filmmaker delves into his obsession with odd-numbers; Luis & Gonçalo Galvão Teles’s Gelo - a futuristic feature film from Portugal where hearts still beat loudly in worlds made of ice; Royston Scott’s The Sara Spencer Washington Story -- an inspiring documentary about the life of Sara Spencer Washington, a young black woman, who became a phenomenal success selling her line of hair products door to door in 1920's Atlantic City; Seymon Pinkahasov’s …With God Against Man… -- A must-see documentary about the untold heroism of Sousa Mendes, who served as the Portuguese consul general in France between 1939-1940;Daniel Natale’s Bad Tidings – a timely documentary about the townspeople of Sea Bright, New Jersey must now deal with a future of rising sea levels; Michael Mcilvride and Roger Williams‘s River Blue: Can Fashion Save the Planet? – and important documentary and a call to action, to manufacture our clothing in more sustainable ways; and many, many others.
All the works being screened, with the exception of four 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 14 finalists which will be publicly screened at the Festival. The finalists were selected from over 284 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, February 12, 2017.
Heralded Chinese Films Highlight Special Free Screenings:
The Spring 2017 Festival will also include two highly anticipated screenings of great contemporary Chinese films which will be free and open to the public. These two films In The Mood For Love (February 17) and Chungking Express (March 3) are being co-sponsored by the Confucius Institute of Rutgers University.
29th Annual United States Super 8 Film & Digital Video Festival:
Also during the Spring 2017 season, the Rutgers Film Co-op/NJMAC will present the 29th anniversary of the United States Super 8 Film & Digital Video Festival -- the longest running, nationally recognized, juried 8mm Film/Video Festival in North and South America. Each of the three evenings (February 18-19) in Voorhees Hall #105, Rutgers University) will feature a different program of films from throughout the USA, Canada, and the world. Filmmakers are competing for many Best of Prizes. Prize winners are announced on the last night of the Festival and audience members will vote for their favorite film. The Super 8 Festival is open to works predominantly shot on either Super 8/8mm film, Hi8/8mm video and/or Digital Video. This program is being co-sponsored by Jungle Software, Pro 8mm, Jungle Software, Johnson & Johnson, and many others. A complete festival line-up will be listed at www.njfilmfest.com by February 1, 2017.
Special Guest Appearances by Directors, Artists, and Actors:
Over fifteen special guest appearances by film directors, producers, and actors to the New Jersey Film Festival Spring 2017 have been confirmed. All visiting directors will introduce their work and do a Question and Answer session after the screenings.
The New Jersey Film Festival Spring 2017 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 Centers for Global Advancement and International Affairs (GAIA Centers); The Rutgers University Office of Academic Engagement and Programming; Confucius Institute of Rutgers University; The Rutgers University Zimmerli Art Museum; Rutgers University School of Arts and Sciences Honors Program; The Rutgers Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs; The Rutgers University American Studies Department; The Rutgers University Italian Department; The Rutgers University School of Environmental and Biological Sciences; Johnson & Johnson; Jungle Software; Pro 8mm; Jimmy John’s of New Brunswick; WCTC/WMGQ; WRSU; The Home News Tribune; The Asbury Park Press; New Brunswick City Market; The Rutgers University Dean of Students; The Rutgers University Office of Community Affairs; The Rutgers University Digital Classroom Services Office; Design Ideas; Advanced Printing; Steven C. Schechter, Esq.; Share and Harris.
