New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

New Jersey Film Festival Video Interview with For Hope Director James Rees and Actor Jay Thomas

By Al Nigrin

originally published: 01/24/2020


Here is my EBTV video interview with For Hope Director James Rees and Producer, Writer, Actor  Jay Thomas. Their film premieres at the New Jersey Film Festival on Sunday, January 26, 2020.

For Hope will precede Tre Manchester’s feature film Bleed American. Here is more information on this screening:

For Hope – James Rees and Jay Thomas (New York, New York)  Featuring amazing cinematography, stellar acting, and a gorgeous original soundtrack, this moving short film is set in the underbelly of Kentucky.  A young disabled girl lives in a world of structured harmony that is kept afloat by her older brother, but at what cost? 2019; 20 min. . Q+A Session with Director James Rees and Producer, Writer, Actor  Jay Thomas!

Bleed American – Tre Manchester (Hammond, Indiana)  When his mother’s alcohol abuse returns her to the hospital, Larson becomes the parental figure to his young brother L.J. and his sister Lex. He soon finds himself deeply conflicted about his responsibility as their parental figure, particularly after L.J. slips under the influence of a local hoodlum. Bleed American is a stunning and timely portrait of the unravelling fabric in today’s Middle America. 2019; 75 min. Co-sponsored by the Rutgers University American Studies Department and the Rutgers University Office of Disability Services!

Sunday, January 26, 2020 at 7:00 PM
 in Voorhees Hall #105/Rutgers University, 71 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick, New Jersey



$14= Advance; $12=General; $10=Students+Seniors




Reach New Jersey's largest arts & entertainment audience, click here for info on how to advertise at NJ Stage



Information: (848) 932-8482; www.njfilmfest.com

About the author:

Albert Gabriel Nigrin is an award-winning experimental media artist whose work has been screened throughout the world. He is also a Cinema Studies Lecturer at Rutgers University, and the Executive Director/Curator of the Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center, Inc.


EVENT PREVIEWS

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The 45th Bi-Annual New Jersey Film Festival will be taking place between September 4 - October 4, 2026. As they have been doing the last few years, the festival will be presented as a hybrid with select in-person screenings at Rutgers University and most of the films available virtually via Video on Demand for 24 hours on their show date. The festival also be offering an Audio-Visual Concert featuring the bands Lawns and Hanging Coats as well as two FREE Filmmaking Workshops.

 

FEATURED EVENTS


Free Summer Movie! How to Train Your Dragon

Tuesday, July 28, 2026 @ 10:30am
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ


Free Summer Movie! How to Train Your Dragon

Tuesday, July 28, 2026 @ 6:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ


The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth 35mm Double Feature

Sunday, August 02, 2026 @ 2:00pm
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
Rahway, NJ


Free Summer Movie! The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants

Tuesday, August 04, 2026 @ 10:30am
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ


Free Summer Movie! The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants

Tuesday, August 04, 2026 @ 6:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ



 

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