(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- The Garden State Film Festival will host the New Jersey premiere of The Journey is the Destination, a remarkable true story about photojournalist, artist and activist Dan Eldon - the youngest photojournalist ever hired by Reuters news service. The film takes a look at the role of journalists in war zones in Africa, highlighting the dangers, and raising many questions.  The screening takes place on Saturday, April 1 in the Superstar Theater at Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City.

The Journey is the Destination is one of more than 200 films to be featured at the 15th Annual Garden State Film Festival taking place in Atlantic City, March 30-April 2. Directed by Bronwen Hughes, the film features an accomplished cast: Emmy award-winning actress Kelly Macdonald; Ella Purnell, who most recently appeared in 2016's Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children; Maria Bello of television show ER fame; and Ben Schnetzer as Eldon, the protagonist in this biopic drama filmed in Africa. The film's screenplay was written by Jan Sardi and Bronwen Hughes, and the film's production team includes Eldon's mother, Kathy Eldon, along with Martin Katz, Kweku Mandela, and Richard Arlook. In attendance, will be GSFF Board member Andy Nibley who was CEO of Reuters when Dan lost his life. Also in attendance will be Kathy Eldon, Dan's mother and founder of the non-profit Creative Visions, an organization which carries on the work of her late son by courageously seeking radical change by sharing the world's most relevant stories.

GSFF Executive Director Margaret Fontana says, "This is a true story based on the life of Dan Eldon. The Journey is the Destination is a thought-provoking drama providing us with an inside perspective on what life is really like in war-torn regions of the world. With its renowned cast and crew, we are honored to feature this film at the 15th Annual Garden State Film Festival." The Journey is the Destination will screen at the Festival at 5:15-7:15 p.m. on Saturday, April 1 in the Superstar Theater at Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City. 

The Garden State Film Festival runs from March 30-April 2, 2017, with 216 films from over 24 countries being featured during the event. Individual film screening tickets are $14 in advance and $15 at the door, and weekend passes for the Festival are $45 in advance and $50 at the door. Tickets are available at www.gsff.org and at the Festival box offices.

The Garden State Film Festival (GSFF) was envisioned by 25-year film industry veteran Diane Raver and the late Hollywood actor Robert Pastorelli in 2002 and launched the following year. Since 2003, thousands of films have made their public premiers, hundreds of thousands of people from around the world have attended; and the total infusion of cash to local businesses since inception exceeds $5 million. Until 2013, the Festival was held in Asbury Park. In 2014, the Festival moved to Atlantic City with financial and operation support from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA). GSFF now serves as a major component of the strategic plan to promote arts and culture in Atlantic City to re-establish the resort as the premier Mid-Atlantic entertainment destination.