By Al Nigrin
originally published: 02/16/2018
New Jersey Film Festival Spring 2018 Winners Announced!
All the works that were part of the New Jersey Film Festival Competition were selected by a panel of judges including media professionals, journalists, students, and academics. These judges selected the 23 finalists which were publicly screened at the Festival. The finalists were selected from 403 works submitted by filmmakers from around the world. In addition, the judges chose the Prize Winners in conjunction with the Festival Director.
Winner Best Feature Film
Starlit - AO (Fishkill, New York)
Winner Best Documentary Film
Getting Naked: A Burlesque Story - James Lester (Brooklyn, New York)
Winner Best Short Film
The Inescapable Arrival of Lazlo Petushki - Sven Werner (Glasgow, Scotland)
Winner Best Animated Film
Two Balloons - Mark Smith (Portland, Oregon)
Honorable Mention Winners
Pluto - Tiger Ji (East Natick, Massachusetts)
Breathless - Anaiis Cisco (Brooklyn, New York)
Word Is Bond - Sacha Jenkins (New York, New York)
The Lost Village - Roger Paradiso (Montclair, New Jersey)
Andover - Scott Perlman (Hollywood, California)
Little Red Giant, The Monster That I Was - Laura Harrison (Chicago, Illinois)
Bluefin - John Hopkins (Breadalbane, Prince Edward Island, Canada)
Two Strangers Who Meet Five Times - Marcus Markou (London, England)
Clasico - Eli Korn (Tel Aviv, Israel)
Dovere For Camden - Douglas Clayton (Lawrenceville, New Jersey)
For More Information Contact:
New Jersey Film Festival
Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center
Rutgers University Program in Cinema Studies
4170 Academic Building, 15 Seminary Place
New Brunswick, New Jersey, 08901-8525 U.S.A.
(848) 932-8482 phone; (732) 932-1935 fax; [email protected], [email protected];
Web Site: www.njfilmfest.com
About the author:
Albert Gabriel Nigrin is an award-winning experimental media artist whose work has been screened throughout the world. He is also a Cinema Studies Lecturer at Rutgers University, and the Executive Director/Curator of the Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center, Inc.
American Doctor
Saturday, November 07, 2026 @ 11:00am
Teaneck International Film Festival - Teaneck Cinemas
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Alien: American Dream Denied - New Jersey Premiere!
Saturday, November 07, 2026 @ 2:00pm
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The Lorraine - Bergen County Premiere!
Saturday, November 07, 2026 @ 4:30pm
Teaneck International Film Festival - Teaneck Cinemas
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Cuny Student Short Series
Saturday, November 07, 2026 @ 10:00am
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Free Joan Little - Bergen County Premiere!
Saturday, November 07, 2026 @ 2:30pm
Teaneck International Film Festival - Puffin Cultural Forum
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Free Joan Little captures the spirit of resistance that made history.
Call Me Micky - Bergen County Premiere!
Saturday, November 07, 2026 @ 4:00pm
Teaneck International Film Festival - Puffin Cultural Forum
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Buried Under Years Of Dust - East Coast Premiere!
Saturday, November 07, 2026 @ 5:30pm
Teaneck International Film Festival - Puffin Cultural Forum
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Bea Arthur: The Documentary - "i've Done Everything Except Porn" - Centerpiece - New Jersey Premiere!
Saturday, November 07, 2026 @ 7:00pm
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EVENT PREVIEWS
Maplewood Strollers presents 50th Anniversary Screening of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" with live Shadowcast
(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- The Maplewood Strollers invite you to celebrate 50 years of The Rocky Horror Picture Show with a screening featuring a LIVE shadow cast by The Cosmic Light Cabaret for the ultimate interactive movie experience on Saturday, November 7, 2026 at the Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts. Showtime is 7:00pm.
Teaneck International Film Festival names first recipient of Sandi Klein Creative Woman in Film Award
(TEANECK, NJ) -- The Teaneck International Film Festival (TIFF) has named filmmaker Luchina Fisher the first recipient of the Sandi Klein Creative Woman in Film Award, a new annual honor celebrating an exceptional woman whose work reflects the creativity, curiosity, integrity and commitment to social impact that defined Klein's life and her nearly two decades with the festival. The award includes a $1,000 grant. Fisher will receive the inaugural award at the TIFF screening of her film, The Dads, on Sunday, November 8, 2026 at 2:30 pm at Teaneck Cinemas (503 Cedar Lane).
"Directors' Commentary" to have NJ Premiere at SModcastle Film Festival
(ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ) -- After its world premiere at Dances With Films LA (DWFLA), one of the nation's leading indie film festivals, Directors' Commentary will have its New Jersey Premiere at SModcastle Film Festival, hosted by filmmaker Kevin Smith. The film will screen on Sunday, November 8, 2026 at 12:00pm.
Teaneck International Film Festival Names Katie Camosy Recipient of 2026 Emerging Filmmaker Activist Award for "Gaslit"
(TEANECK, NJ) -- The Teaneck International Film Festival (TIFF) and The Puffin Foundation have selected director Katie Camosy as the recipient of the 2nd Annual Emerging Filmmaker Activist Award for her documentary Gaslit. The award includes a $5,000 cash prize and trophy and recognizes emerging filmmakers whose work embodies TIFF's guiding theme, "Activism: Making Change."
James R. Halsey Foundation Student Film Showcase to Take Place November 12th
(TRENTON, NJ) -- The James R. Halsey Foundation of the Arts (JRH), a 501c3 non-profit agency dedicated to providing quality arts education and mentoring to youth in the City of Trenton and greater New Jersey area presents the 2026 Student Film Showcase. Taking place on November 12th at the New Jersey State Museum Auditorium from 5:00pm - 8:00pm, this event features three films, written, directed, and produced by students, as well as a documentary focused on raising awareness on men's mental health, featuring authentic student voices and professional interviews.
Count Basie Center for the Arts to Celebrate Centennial with an immersive re-enactment of its opening night
(RED BANK, NJ) -- Count Basie Center for the Arts will cap its Centennial Celebration with an immersive re-enactment of its opening night on Saturday, November 14, 2026 at 6:00pm. Patrons can expect an immersive theatrical presentation from the moment they approach the venue – from 'stars' of the era arriving in classic cars, Gatsby-esque fashion and flair, an authentic speakeasy experience with custom, era-specific cocktails and mocktails, 1920s hot jazz and more.
Learn about producing films with "Producing 101: From Script to Set with The Gig Media"
(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Interested in filmmaking? You can learn how to produce a film like a pro at "Producing 101: From Script to Set with The Gig Media" on Saturday, November 14, 2026 at Miraley Studios in Jersey City.
The Clairidge hosts Indie Film Showcase on November 21st
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- On Saturday, November 21, 2026, The Clairidge hosts a film showcase featuring three indie films - Wedding Night, Lady in the Mirror, and End of the Line: Brotherhood. Dive into three epic tales, one screen, and endless vibes at The Official Film Showcase. Showtime is 1:30pm.
