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The New Jersey International Film Festival Summer 2012

Published by New Jersey Stage

originally published: 04/28/2012

All the works selected were screened by a panel of judges including media professionals, journalists, students, and academics. These judges selected the 27 finalists which will be publicly screened at our Festival. These finalists were selected from over 323 works submitted by filmmakers from around the world. In addition, the judges chose the Prize Winners in conjunction with the Festival Director. Prize winners will be announced after the screenings on Sunday, June 17.

Film Premieres:
27 films will have their New Jersey or Area Premiere (Middlesex County) screenings as part of the New Jersey International Film Festival Summer 2012. Some of these include: Blake Blasingame's chilling allegorical short film Civil War; William Dautrick's hysterical commie zombie film Red Scare; Paul-Emilie Boucher's lovely animated short Tuurngait; Chris Temblath's touching silent film Case #13: The Search For Love; Jonathan Kalafer's feel-good documentary Once In A Lullaby about a New York City public school chorus that hits the big time; Craig Scorgie's insightful Vacationland - a short documentary on the plight of Maine's Lobster Fishermen; Rudd Simmons' (Producer of Boardwalk Empire) candid and revealing cinema verite style feature documentary which focuses on a small dairy farm; Connor Byrne's funny short Merry about what Santa Claus does in the off-season; Olivia Newman's excellent short First Match about a fourteen year-old girl who wrestles on the all-boys wrestling team; Josh Hyde's feature film Postales -- a touching multicultural story of innocence set in Peru; Megan Peason's harrowing short Water; Nick Peterson's amazing short animation film Drained; Ryan Halasz's terrific horror film Project Enigma; Mischa Webley's moving feature The Kill Hole starring Chad Boseman and Billy Zane; Howard Libov's intimate portrait of fire artist Paul Choinowski; Cary Kehayan's groundbreaking and graphic documentary on Avery Willard who was a photographer, filmmaker, writer, leatherman, and pornographer; Kevin Breslin's # whilewewatch - a gripping look at the Occupy Wall Street movement; Iara Lee's Cultures of Resistance - a feature documentary on people fighting for change; Rob Heydon's Irvine's Welsh's Ecstasy a twisted tale based on a best-selling book that explores the euphoric highs and the devastating lows of a chemical romance; Max Rissman and Emma Brown's sexy short film Hluboký Tón (Deep Note); George Manatos's romantic short BENNY TO BENNY, Salvo Ficarra's Italian romantic comedy feature Anche se è amore non si vede (It may be love but it doesn't show); and many others. See the attached schedule for more information on these and the other films or visit our website: www.njfilmfest.com.

Special Guest Appearances by Directors, Artists, and Scholars:
This summer we are pleased to announce over twenty confirmed special guest appearances by film directors, artists, actors, and scholars to the 2012 New Jersey International 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 see the attached schedule or go to our online site at www.njfilmfest.com. Note: more filmmakers will be appearing but were not able to confirm their attendance at this time. So check our website for updated information.

Special Promotions and Events:
Free Food at the 2012 New Jersey International Film Festival on all evenings of the Opening and 2nd Weekend courtesy of Maoz Vegetarian and Jimmy John's of New Brunswick and Special Meal Deals for all Festival evenings! Participating New Brunswick restaurants, including Panico's Brick Oven Pizza, Panico's Italian Restaurant, Tula Restaurant, Tumulty's Restaurant, and others will be providing discounted dinner options on festival evenings with proof of a film ticket stub. Check our website: www.njfilmfest.com for a complete list of participating restaurants. Special Thanks to the restaurants listed above and to Fawn Stephens and Pam Stefanek of New Brunswick City Market for making this possible!

New Screening Facility:
We have very exciting news. Our new primary screening location Voorhees Hall #105 features comfortable, cushioned seats, stadium seating, and hi-definition projection and sound systems! Come check out our new screening space and see for yourself how great it is!




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Film/Video Workshops:
The New Jersey Media Arts Center will offer two filmmaking workshops this summer including: Screenwriting I and a new class Cinematography: The Creative Use of Reality. For more information on these workshops see the attached schedule or go to: www.njfilmfest.com.

Sponsors:
The New Jersey International Film Festivalsm Summer 2012 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; Eastman Kodak; Johnson & Johnson; New Jersey Books; WCTC/WMGQ; The Home News Tribune; The Highland Park Mirror; 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; Rutgers University Alumni Association; Jungle Software; New Brunswick City Market; Showbiz Software; The Rutgers University Office of Community Affairs; Rutgers University Presentation Services; The Rutgers University Enhanced Classroom Support Department; Design Ideas; Advanced Printing; Steven C. Schechter, Esq.; Share and Harris.

Information:
Albert Gabriel Nigrin, Executive Director/Curator,
New Jersey International Film Festival,
Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center,
72 Lipman Drive 018 Loree Hall, Rutgers University New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1414
Phone : (732)932-8482 Fax : (732)932-1935; E-mail: [email protected]; www.njfilmfest.com


EVENT PREVIEWS

Al Nigrin, Executive Director and Curator of the New Jersey International Film Festival, sits down at EBTV with Ashley Gerst -- Director and Animator of the film Sundays for a filmmaker interview. Sundays will be screened on Saturday May 30, 2026.
2026 New Jersey International Film Festival Interview with Middle Life Director Pavan Moondi

2026 New Jersey International Film Festival Interview with Middle Life Director Pavan Moondi

Here is Festival Director Al Nigrin’s interview with Pavan Moondi. Pavan is the director and writer of the terrific Canadian feature film Middle Life. Middle Life screens with two shorts at the New Jersey International Film Festival on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
2026 New Jersey International Film Festival Interview with Counterfeit Kids Director/Writer James Sclafani!

2026 New Jersey International Film Festival Interview with Counterfeit Kids Director/Writer James Sclafani!

Here is Festival Director Al Nigrin’s interview with Counterfeit Kids Director/Writer James Sclafani! Counterfeit Kids screens at the New Jersey International Film Festival on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
Terrific animation Godzilla’s Day Off screens at the 2026 New Jersey International Film Festival on May 30!

Terrific animation Godzilla’s Day Off screens at the 2026 New Jersey International Film Festival on May 30!

I loved the introduction to the short animated film Godzilla's Day Off by Myra Sito Velasquez. It was very retro and fun. I love, love, love this style of animation, it's very South Park which is the reason I was so drawn to this piece. It's very nostalgic for me as my dad was always watching South Park when I was growing up #cartman #godzillabuiltlikecartman #southparkxgodzilla #cartmansdayoff.
Trenton Filmmaker Phillip McConnell to Premiere New Short Film "Tell Me Where We Stand"

Trenton Filmmaker Phillip McConnell to Premiere New Short Film "Tell Me Where We Stand"

(HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- Independent filmmaker Phillip McConnell will premiere his new short film, Tell Me Where We Stand, at Mill One on Sunday, May 31, 2026, bringing together local artists, performers, and members of the community for an evening celebrating independent film and storytelling.
2026 New Jersey International Film Festival Video Interview with What We Dreamed of Then Director Taylor Olson

2026 New Jersey International Film Festival Video Interview with What We Dreamed of Then Director Taylor Olson

Al Nigrin, Executive Director and Curator of the New Jersey International Film Festival, interviews What We Dreamed of Then Director, Writer and Actor Taylor Olson. What We Dreamed of Then will be screened on May 31, 2026.
Moving feature What We Dreamed of Then screens at the 2026 New Jersey International Film Festival on May 31

Moving feature What We Dreamed of Then screens at the 2026 New Jersey International Film Festival on May 31

It is rare for a film to capture a major social issue and equally rare for a film to burrow its way into audiences’ hearts. What We Dreamed of When does both and on a budget that wouldn’t even cover lunch on a Hollywood film set.
Come soar with Pizza Man at the 2026 New Jersey International Film Festival

Come soar with Pizza Man at the 2026 New Jersey International Film Festival

Pizza! Pizza! I scream. You scream. We all scream for Pizza!!! I am obsessed with the opening animation in Sebastian Hunt’s short film Pizza Man, very retro, very I watched this on my box TV when I was younger. The color grading felt real and not like a GLP-1 commercial on Hulu, which is always a plus in my book. It gave off “depressing work place that I hate to work at and just wanna go home.” IF I saw some weird old man dressed in a pizza costume 7 hours into my shift at my box office job that I am for sure carrying on my shoulders, I’d lowkey be pissed though, like boy get out my face and let me go home, girl I don’t wanna deal with this right im tired and the only thing getting me through the day is knowing I have a california king waiting for me at home. Pizza Man gave off Thor from Avengers: Endgame, like bitch we have work to do go save a pizza I don’t know. ALSO, I’m reallllllly hoping that is not Mitchell’s handwriting as an adult because honestly not even Pizza Man can save that.
2026 New Jersey International Film Festival Video Animation Panel

2026 New Jersey International Film Festival Video Animation Panel

Here is the 2026 New Jersey International Film Festival Video Animation Panel featuring Festival Director Al Nigrin and Filmmakers Owen Andrejco, Myra Sito Velasquez, Evan Bode, and Heidi Kumao.
Emmy-nominated, Tony and Grammy Award-winning actor/director Jason Alexander to Lead Acting Masterclass on Long Beach Island

Emmy-nominated, Tony and Grammy Award-winning actor/director Jason Alexander to Lead Acting Masterclass on Long Beach Island

(LONG BEACH ISLAND, NJ) -- The Lighthouse International Film Festival (LIFF) presents a rare five-day acting masterclass led by acclaimed actor and director Jason Alexander, taking place June 7–11, 2026 on Long Beach Island, New Jersey, just prior to the opening of the Festival's 18th edition, which runs June 10–14.

 

MORE EVENTS

Click on the listing to bring up its webpage


Middle Life, Sundays & Counterfeit Kids – In-Person at 7PM!

Saturday, May 30, 2026 @ 7:00pm
NJ International Film Festival
New Brunswick, NJ


Phenomenon of Ivan Marchuk & Theater of the Absurd – Online for 24 Hours!

Saturday, May 30, 2026 @ 12:00am
NJ International Film Festival
New Brunswick, NJ


Shorts Program #1: Godzilla’s Day Off, Paper Crane, 35 Days, I Exist, Pizza Man, Prison and Time, Dustsceawung & Miracle Under 34th Street – Online for 24 Hours and In-Person at 7PM!

Saturday, May 30, 2026 @ 7:00pm
NJ International Film Festival
New Brunswick, NJ


Star Wars: The Last Jedi in Concert with New Jersey Symphony

Sunday, May 31, 2026 @ 2:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ


What We Dreamed of Then – Online for 24 Hours!

Sunday, May 31, 2026 @ 12:00am
NJ International Film Festival
New Brunswick, NJ



 

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