It's one thing to make a film, it's another to get it seen. "For years, filmmakers submit their films to film festivals, hoping that a distributor will see it and bring their film to the masses. But it's not always easy knowing which festivals really have distributors attending,” says Bill Sorvino, Founder and President of the Golden Door International Film Festival (GDIFF).
This year, GDIFF, voted by 10,000 NJ Stage Magazine voters as the #1 Film Festival in NJ, is going the extra mile by providing that opportunity to filmmakers. Not only are have they formed close ties with distributors and having them attend, but they are also working diligently toward the ultimate goal of becoming an Academy Award® qualifying film festival.
GDIFF, now in it's 6th year, will be from September 22nd to 25th 2016 and will continue to support both new and veteran filmmakers. GDIFF have screened films from over 80 countries, with many of the filmmakers and actors coming to Jersey City to attend the festival. Although it is an international film festival, GDIFF are very proud to screen films from local filmmakers and will once again give their annually awarded scholarship to promising media arts students in Jersey City, as well as to filmmakers dedicated to raise awareness about disabilities.
Not only has Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop recognized the importance of GDIFF in both Jersey City and NJ, but has graciously pledged his continuing support for the festival and their mission. Founder Bill Sorvino and his wife Michele Sorvino, Executive Director of GDIFF, are also fully supporting the Jersey City community and have, over the years, been placed on many published "lists" with respect to their collective influence in the community. Most recently, they have been named #18 on the Hudson Reporter's Power List 2016. "We started GDIFF out of our love for the filmmaking industry and to give filmmakers the opportunity to show their hard work. We couldn't even imagine how the festival would grow and how we could make a difference, not only in the Jersey City community, but to raise awareness for autism, as well as other disabilities. It just shows you what passion and compassion can do!” says Michele Sorvino, Executive Director of GDIFF.
Michele started hosting her own local TV show called Inside Hollywood on the Hudson, which can be seen in households across NJ.
For more information on the festival, visit www.goldendoorfilmfestival.org and connect with them on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram
