In the very beginning of the cinema, most films were very short, running a minute or less. Before YouTube and TikTok there was the “short subject film,” often shown with a feature film in a movie theatre. These days, aside from YT and TT, short films are platforms to get industry experience and showcase talent. That said, this art form has an intense and enthusiastic following among film fans.

Film short aficionados and art lovers will be thrilled to know that FilmOneFest, the highly regarded annual short film festival, will take place once again in the charming Bayshore town of Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey. FilmOneFest challenges filmmakers to tell their stories in under two minutes. Attendees can expect an unforgettable experience as they immerse themselves in short films from around the world, where every frame counts. The festival is presented against the backdrop of the Atlantic Highlands Marina, overlooking Raritan Bay and the majestic New York City skyline. The organizers encourage, support, and reward the art of the short filmmaker with film awards including Jury & Judge, Audience Choice, and Young Filmmakers.

Presented by the Atlantic Highlands Arts Council, the event will take place on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at the Atlantic Highlands Marina from 5-11 p.m. Although the films start when the sun goes down, there is plenty of fun to be had before dark with food trucks, craft vendors and live music from AP Foundation, Line Drive, and No Filter. The FilmOneFest and the Atlantic Highlands Arts Council encourage patrons to support the Atlantic Highlands Food Pantry by bringing a non-perishable food item and donating it at the festival.

Corinna Thuss, Director of FilmOneFest and AHAC Trustee said, “We started in 2008 with the art of storytelling in one minute – later revised to 1 minute 59 seconds. It helped us get more good stories in our submissions. The films are still considered “super shorts.” About five years ago we put the festival on the FilmFreeway website and that really removed some barriers. We received 1500 film submissions from around the world. Some years we have received up to 2700 submissions. 80 films are selected for the festival. We want films with a good story with a beginning, middle, and end. We want films that are unique. Submissions come from all over the world – six continents, dozens of countries. It’s important to us that we fulfill the mission statement of the AHAC – we bring free art to our community and the world. Where else can you listen to great music on the water with a light show and then dozens of great films? We call Atlantic Highlands ‘the jewel of the Bayshore.’ It’s a magical place.”

“We had less than 100 entries that first year,” said Robert O’Connor, one of the festival’s founders. Similar numbers the second year – we realized it was sort of a limited pool we were pulling from, and we started using online services to expand our reach, eventually we found a service that was free to submit films to festivals, and that’s when our submissions went through the roof. Like 2000 submissions—it was a bit overwhelming for the volunteers. It still is.

“What makes the perfect short film? It has to have an arc to it—a beginning, a middle, and maybe an “ah ha!” moment at the end. But I could point to some abstract films that are just beautiful, they may not have the story elements, but they take you on a ride, even if it’s a short one. A little twist can be very exciting. I have to mention Julie Gartenberg who started the festival with me—she passed away in 2014—she was really integral to getting the festival going. She had the hutzpah and the knowledge on how to raise funds and get the community excited. It wouldn’t have happened without her.

“It’s a unique festival—it’s very community-oriented, it’s small, it’s not like other festivals. It’s sweet little place where filmmakers can try stuff out, but it’s also about the community coming together and celebrating art, the beauty of our harbor, this place we live in. People from around the world can send us their little pieces of art and we can show them. It’s a small, little, beautiful festival and I’m very proud of it.”  

“I’m an art school nerd myself,” said Manda Gorsegner, President of the AHAC. “I really like films that give you a funny feeling inside that you can’t quite put your finger on. Something that gives you a mix of emotions the kind that spark a part of your brain that doesn’t normally get sparked. I’m a huge fan of stop-motion! I love a quirky, stop-motion piece that’s funny or it just makes you think about anything differently. It has to be so quick, you have to be really engaged from the start. That’s what I lean toward.

“I love the fact that we have so many submissions from so many different countries. It’s fun to watch these films in other languages (they are all captioned). You get this really interesting cultural cross-section of the entire globe! All these quick snippets of other languages – that’s a very special part of this event. My daughter is ten, we go and watch together, we sit and snuggle under a blanket, it makes it such a rich experience.”

FilmOne Fest, now in its 16th year, has become a staple in the regional arts community and continues to grow in popularity. This year's festival will again captivate audiences with its astonishing lineup of short films that push the boundaries of storytelling and creativity, enjoyed in a spectacular and unique setting.