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The NJ International Film Festival Announces Lineup For Summer 2014

Published by New Jersey Stage

originally published: 04/28/2014

All the competition films selected were screened by a panel of judges including media professionals, journalists, students, and academics. These judges selected the 24 finalists which will be publicly screened at our Festival. These finalists were selected from over 357 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 Saturday, June 14.

Film Premieres:
24 films will have their New Jersey or Area Premiere (Middlesex County) screenings as part of the New Jersey International Film Festival Summer 2014. Some of these include: Jenni Matz's Rye Coalition: The Story of the Hard Luck 5 – an intimate and fiery rock documentary tracing the rise and fall of Rye Coalition, a band of five childhood friends from New Jersey; William J. Stribling's Lies I Told My Little Sister - a deeply felt and expertly acted independent feature shot in New Jersey about the blood ties that bind us to the past; Sebastian Wotschke's Horror Film – a stylish horror film featuring stunning cinematography and special effects while paying homage to the great German Expressionist films of the 1920s; Joe Basile's West End -- an intense family drama set on the Jersey Shore; Joe Siebert's The Sax Man -- the exhilarating story of Cleveland's beloved street musician, Maurice Reedus Jr., and his fall from the heights of acclaim to the humility of the street; Tamar Halpern and Chris Quilty's Llyn Foulkes: One Man Band (the most famous artist you've never heard of); Jamie Chambers's Blackbird -- a rich, delicate, and deeply moving feature film with superb cinematography and a stirring soundtrack filled with traditional Scottish ballad-singing; Brad Mays I Grew Up In Princeton -- a funny, absorbing and candid portrait of Princeton, New Jersey in the 60s and 70s, as well as a mosaic of memory, imagery, and music told by those who lived it; 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 2014 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 2014 New Jersey International Film Festival prior to all the competition screenings courtesy of Jimmy John's of New Brunswick! Free Parking in University lots near the screening space. 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!

Free Screenings: There will also be four free screenings as part of the 2014 New Jersey International Film Festival Summer 2014 which are being co-sponsored by the Rutgers University Summer Session and the Rutgers University Division of Continuing Studies. For more information on these free screenings see the attached schedule or go to: www.njfilmfest.com.




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Sponsors:
The New Jersey International Film Festival Summer 2014 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 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; The Rutgers University Centers for Global Advancement and International Affairs (GAIA Centers); Confucius Institute of Rutgers University; The Rutgers University Aresty Research Center; The Rutgers Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs; The Rutgers University History Department; Johnson & Johnson; WCTC/WMGQ; WRSU; The Home News Tribune; Jungle Software; New Brunswick City Market; Footage Firm; Videoblocks; 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.


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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