2017 Golden Door International Film Festival To Screen Over 175 Films

(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- The Golden Door International Film Festival (GDIFF) – founded by Jersey City native Bill Sorvino, and voted as as the Best Film Festival in the state in the NJ Stage Awards two years in a row -- is known for star-studded red carpet galas and for bringing the best of independent filmmaking to audiences, as well as its mission to raise autism awareness through cinema. This year’s festival will screen more than 175 movies at venues throughout Jersey City over four days – from Thursday, October 5 - 8. 

The Opening Red Carpet Gala will kick off at the JC Landmark Lowe’s Theatre on Thursday, October 5 with the film, The Girl Who Invented Kissing starring Dash Mihok, Vincent Piazza, Suki Waterhouse, Michael Buscemi, Luke Wilson and Abbie Cornish. “Every town needs a savior, but not every town can be saved” is the film’s tagline. Director Tom Serchio, a Bloomfield NJ native, will be in attendance along with the film’s stars Dash Mihok and Michael Buscemi. Also slated to appear is Giants lineman David Diehl, who narrated a PSA for the film festival on Sirius XM Radio.  

The Landmark Lowe’s is also the venue for the Friday Nite Red Carpet Event starting at 7:00pm on Friday, October 6. Featured will be the documentary “Five Finger Discount: A Crooked Family History” based on Helene Stapinski’s true-life national-bestselling memoir about growing up in a family whose 4 generations of murderers, swindlers, bookies, corrupt politicians, and mobster wannabes made their way in Jersey City, New Jersey, the poster child for 20th century urban sleaze. Stapinski will be attending and signing books. Attendees that night will also get to see “Derek’s Friends” – a narrative short written and directed in 2016 by Jersey City filmmaker Joseph G. Sexton, who was only 14-years old at the time. The Rhode Island International Film Festival jury awarded Sexton’s movie the First Prize-Kids Eye International Film Award that same year. Friday’s evening gala will round out with documentary filmmaker Greg Schultz’s look at the complex history of the Jersey City Medical Center, now reimagined as “The Beacon in JC.”  

Saturday’s Red Carpet Event features the movie “Almost Paris” directed by Domenica Cameron-Scorsese, who calls the film “a very complex financial story told in personal terms.” In addition to the director, in attendance will be cast members Abigail Hawk, Adrian Martinez, Susan Varon, Adam LeFevre, Wally Marzano Lesnevich, and Michael Sorvino, along with actor Gary Pastore (currently starring in The Deuce on HBO) who served as a producer in this film. 

Sunday’s Closing Nite Awards Gala –The Fort Lee Film Commission presents the screening of a recently discovered silent film made in New Jersey, “The Grocery Clerk’s Romance” (Keystone Studio, 1912). Also performing will be the Gotham Easy Jazz Band.  

Festival judges include actors Christian Keiber (Bluebloods), Kerry McGann (Blood Runners), Gary Pastore (The Deuce), Yvonne Maria Schaefer (Happy Birthday), Maureen Van Zandt (The Sopranos), and legendary French film actress Monique Inzinna, along with Casting Director Donna McKenna and Emmy-winning producer Gary Donatelli.

All evenings events are sponsored by Carepoint Health, Norman and Bettina Roberts, and Tito's Vodka along many others.

There will course be much more than just the evening events list above, including movies that further the festival’s philanthropic mission of raising awareness about autism. Please visit goldendoorfilmfestival.org for information on their autism awareness film program and the many other independent films screening throughout Jersey City during the festival.