All the works selected were screened by a panel of judges including media professionals, journalists, students, and academics. These judges selected the 25 finalists which will be publicly screened at our Festival. These finalists were selected from over 344 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 16.
Film Premieres:
25 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: Sarah Friedland and Ryan Joseph's The Rink - a vibrant documentary on Newark's Branch Brook Park Roller Rink. a vital cultural space for a city that is seeking to forge a new narrative for itself; Sloan Copeland's hilarious feature film Wet Behind the Ears which takes a twisted look at a newly-minted college graduate's seemingly fatal joblessness; Jessica Sue Burstein's intimate short Chicken; Matthew Mishory's Joshua Tree, 1951: A Portrait of James Dean -- a ravishing and poetic feature film about the early life of James Dean; Vivianne Perelmuter's Uncertain Times - a beautiful and haunting feature film from France; Fannar Thor Arnarsson's chilling horror short Cold Turkey from Iceland; L.E. Salas's Dead Man Working -- a wry feature-length mockumentary, that skillfully sets up the recent economic crisis as the prelude to a very bleak future; Leon Prudovsky's Welcome and our Condolences - a existential drama from Israel; Anya Belkina's System Preferences -- a fascinating animated documentary about the computer pioneer Bashir Rameyev; Jono Oliver's Home - an independent film about a man recovering from mental illness who tries to rebuild his life; Brian Titshaw's funky and quirky feature The Space Jockey Pursuit; Don Freeman's Art House: Part One - a superbly crafted documentary moves poetically through the houses of four artists, who created these splendid interiors for themselves; Richard Hankin's 16 Acres which focuses on the rebuilding of the World Trade Center 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 fifteen confirmed special guest appearances by film directors, artists, actors, and scholars to the 2013 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/New Screening Facility:
There will be Free Food served at the 2013 New Jersey International Film Festival prior to all the screenings courtesy of Jimmy John's of New Brunswick! Free Parking in University lots near the screening space. 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!
Film/Video Workshops: The New Jersey Media Arts Center will offer two filmmaking workshops this summer including: Introduction to Screenwriting and a new class How To Sell Your Screenplay. For more information on these workshops see the attached schedule or go to: www.njfilmfest.com.
Sponsors: The New Jersey International Film Festivalsm Summer 2013 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 Middle Eastern Studies Program; 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; Eastman Kodak; Johnson & Johnson; WCTC/WMGQ; The Home News Tribune;; Jungle Software; New Brunswick City Market; Media Services/Showbiz Software; Footage Firm; The Rutgers University Office of Community Affairs; The Rutgers University Digital Classroom Services Department; Design Ideas; Advanced Printing; Steven C. Schechter, Esq.; Share and Harris.
