(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Walk the red carpet with the stars! Join celebrities, industry professionals, filmmakers from around the world and other movie fans like yourself for the Garden State Film Festival's (GSFF) Fourteenth Anniversary Gala Cocktail Party and first screening. Get in on the kick-off event of the Spring!  This exciting event takes place on Friday, April 1 at 6:30PM with cocktails and hors-d'oeuvres in the Ballroom at Resorts Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City with live entertainment provided by Tony Day and Across the Globe Music Group. From there, guests are ushered across the hall to the Superstar Theater for the first screening of the weekend long event.

GSFF is proud to present as this year's opening film the comedic drama "Dough." This warmhearted and humorous story about overcoming prejudice and finding redemption in unexpected places, hails from Great Britain.  The film centers on the unlikely friendship between an old Jewish baker (Jonathan Pryce) trying to save his family business and a young Muslim refugee from Darfur trying to help his mother by selling cannabis on the side. When these two worlds collide and some cannabis accidentally ends up in the dough, not only the bread gets "baked," but things get complicated. The impressive award-winning cast includes Jonathan Pryce, Phil Davis, Ian Hart and Pauline Collins, with Jerome Holder making his feature film debut.

In 2016, the festival will feature 200 films from over 14 countries, host an open talent casting call, hold engaging panel discussions, opening and closing ceremonies and inspire the next generation of filmmakers. Ed Asner will return for his fourth GSFF and other well known celebrities are slated to attend.