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The 21st Garden State Film Festival


By Christopher Benincasa, JerseyArts.com

originally published: 03/09/2023

This year’s Garden State Film Festival kicks off Thursday, March 23, and will be serving up a four-day weekend of more independent films and one-of-a-kind events than even the most die-hard moviegoer could take in.

Since the first festival in 2003, GSFF has provided opportunities for aspiring filmmakers and actors to network with industry pros and have their work showcased in one of the country’s most iconic cities – New Jersey’s Asbury Park.

Five venues there, the Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove and the Cranford Theater will host a weekend of films.

Jersey Arts recently spoke with Garden State Film Festival’s Executive Director Lauren Concar, festival founder Diane Raver, Associate Director of the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission David Schoner, Director of Communications for New Jersey Public Broadcasting Service Debra Falk, feature screenplay winner Kelly Byrne, and festival host Sophia Lucia about what to expect this year.




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About the author: Christopher Benincasa is an Emmy Award-winning arts and culture journalist. He produced content for NJ PBS for a decade before co-founding PCK Media. Christopher currently works as a freelance producer, video editor, writer, and communications specialist for a diverse set of commercial, non-profit, and government clients. His work has been featured on various PBS stations, and in American Abstract Artists Journal, The Structurist, Paterson Literary Review, and JerseyArts.com.

Content provided by Discover Jersey Arts, a project of the ArtPride New Jersey Foundation and New Jersey State Council on the Arts.




 

EVENT PREVIEWS

"Singin'

"Singin' in the Rain" to Kick Off 2025 UCPAC Film Fest

(RAHWAY, NJ) -- The Union County Performing Arts Center Film Fest opens with a screening of Singin' In The Rain on Friday, May 16, 2025. Join them for the Opening Ceremony and the feature presentation, a digital screening of a classic film that celebrates the art of motion pictures! Doors are at 6:00pm, showtime is 7:00pm.



The

The ShowRoom presents a screening of "Garland Jeffreys: The King of in Between"

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- The ShowRoom presents a screening of Garland Jeffreys: The King of in Between on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 7:30pm. It's a soul-stirring ride through music, race, rebellion, and resilience. Join director Claire Jeffreys for a post-screening Q&A, moderated by singer songwriter James Maddock.



Jason

Jason Alexander Announced as Keynote Speaker for 2025 Lighthouse International Film Festival

(LONG BEACH ISLAND, NJ) -- Lighthouse International Film Festival (LIFF) announced Jason Alexander as the keynote speaker for the festival's 17th year running from June 4-8, 2025 on Long Beach Island. The festival will screen a special 25th anniversary screening of Jason Alexander's film Just Looking with a Q&A to follow on Friday, June 6th and will have an intimate conversation with the actor discussing filmmaking and his storied career on Saturday, June 7th.



2025

2025 New Jersey International Film Festival to Take Place May 30th through June 8th

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center, in association with the Rutgers University Program in Cinema Studies, is proud to present the 2025 New Jersey International Film Festival which marks its 30th Anniversary. The NJIFF competition will be taking place on the Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between May 30 - June 8, 2025 and will be a hybrid one as they will be presenting it online as well as doing in-person screenings at Rutgers University.



New

New Jersey Symphony will present "How to Train Your Dragon" in Concert this summer

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Symphony presents How to Train Your Dragon in Concert this summer with Lawrence Loh conducting. A winner with audiences and critics alike, the film by DreamWorks is a captivating and original story that combines humor, fire-breathing action, and epic adventure!



FEATURED EVENTS

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Singin’

Singin’ in the Rain – UCPAC Film Fest Feature Digital Presentation & Opening Ceremony

Friday, May 16, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ 07065
category: film


 

UCPAC

UCPAC Film Fest 2025

Friday, May 16, 2025 @ 11:00am
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ 07065
category: film


 

UCPAC

UCPAC Film Fest 2025

Saturday, May 17, 2025 @ 11:00am
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ 07065
category: film


 

UCPAC

UCPAC Film Fest 2025

Sunday, May 18, 2025 @ 11:00am
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ 07065
category: film


 

Lyle,

Lyle, Lyle Crocodile – Popcorn & Pajamas Film Series At UCPAC’s Hamilton Stage

Friday, May 23, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Hamilton Stage at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC)
360 Hamilton Avenue, Rahway, NJ 07065
category: film


 



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