Surreal short Wiener screens at the Spring 2024 New Jersey Film Festival on Friday, February 9

by Kevin Reardon - published 2024-02-08
In her short film Wiener, Natalie Peracchio tackles the timeless theme of being yourself through a very unusual college admissions tour. Here we follow Simone and her father, who have traveled all the way from Ohio to Boston to visit “Overton College”, but Simone has a trick up her sleeve: President Weiner.

New Jersey Film Festival Spring 2024 Video Interview with Innocent Observer Director Evelyn Reese!

by Vic Fern - published 2024-02-07
Here is the New Jersey Film Festival Spring 2024 Interview with Innocent Observer Director Evelyn Reese and Festival Director Al Nigrin:

Important Documentary Feature Join or Die will be playing at the Spring 2024 New Jersey Film Festival on Saturday, February 10!

by Al Nigrin - published 2024-02-06
Join or Die is a film about why you should join a club — and why the fate of America may depend on it. In this feature documentary, follow the half-century story of America's civic unraveling through the journey of legendary social scientist Robert Putnam, whose groundbreaking "Bowling Alone" research into America's decades-long decline in community connections could hold the answers to our democracy's present crisis. Flanked by influential fans and scholars — from Hillary Clinton, Pete Buttigieg, and Surgeon General Vivek Murthy to Eddie Glaude Jr., Raj Chetty, and Priya Parker — as well as inspiring groups building community in neighborhoods across the country, join Bob as he explores three urgent civic questions: What makes democracy work? Why is American democracy in crisis? And, most importantly…What can we do about it?

Sara Crow’s touching film Bluebird screens at the Spring 2024 New Jersey Film Festival on Friday, February 9!

by Andrew Leary - published 2024-02-05
One of the greatest mysteries in life is the question “what happens after we die?” It is both a gift and a curse of human consciousness to know that death is inevitable. There are those who believe in heaven and hell, and that we must be baptized in order to get into heaven, given that we have not committed any sins. But what of those who were not baptized? Sara Crow’s Bluebird explores this idea of questioning these mysteries and questioning the faith on which these mysteries are founded on. Moreover, it explores the innocence of children and how they might deal with the challenges that they face in life.

Marjorie Conrad’s Amazing Experimental Feature Body Issues screens at the New Jersey Film Festival on Saturday, February 10, 2024!

by Al Nigrin - published 2024-02-04
I have been fan of Marjorie Conrad’s art for a while and she was kind enough to respond to my queries via email. Here is our conversation about her experimental feature film Body Issues:

Wiener & Joey Skaggs: The Solomon Project screen at the Spring 2024 New Jersey Film Festival on Friday, February 9

by Anita LaBelle - published 2024-02-03
From college admissions to court proceedings, the humdrum chores of life can seem grim. What’s one way to make them tolerable? Laughter. In both Wiener and Joey Skaggs: The Solomon Project, comedy is used to ease the tension of everyday affairs while simultaneously bringing to the forefront the issues of our society that collectively weigh us down.

Hypnotic Seeing Other People screens at the Spring 2024 New Jersey Film Festival on Friday, February 9

by Kevin Reardon - published 2024-02-02
Amanda Prager shows us an absurdist, over the top, and stylish take on a toxic relationship in her short film Seeing Other People. What starts as a typical dating scenario quickly turns magical, dangerous, and horrifying as a young woman, Anne, tries arguing with her hive-minded boyfriend, Jesse.

New Jersey Film Festival Spring 2024 Wild Fire Video Q+A with Director Jennifer Cooney

by Vic Fern - published 2024-02-01
Here is the New Jersey Film Festival Spring 2024 Wild Fire Video Q+A with Director Jennifer Cooney, Anran Li and Festival Director Al Nigrin:

Spring 2024 New Jersey Film Festival The Disembodied Adventures of Alice Video Q+A with Director Cléa Elisa van der Grijn!

by Vic Fern - published 2024-01-31
Here is the Spring 2024 New Jersey Film Festival The Disembodied Adventures of Alice Video Q+A with Director Cléa Elisa van der Grijn, Festival Juror Evie Reese and Festival Director Al Nigrin: