Garden State Film Festival: BC27 (7 films)

Saturday, March 28, 2026 @ 6:00pm

Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel
1401 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ 07712

THIS EVENT HAS PASSED

Screenings take place in the Continental Ballroom 

Breaking and Entering and Humping - A misfit duo of inexperienced burglars find themselves trapped in the bedroom closet of a house they are robbing when the owners return for a night of romance. Directed by Jeremy Sless (00:25:16) US Premiere

Flame Out - When Grace, a serial people pleaser, double-books her night, she manages to accidentally buy out an entire Diptyque candle party and simultaneously end a friendship. Directed by Emily Grace Goldwyn (00:14:55) East Coast Premiere

I Just Wanna Be Your Lover Again - Visionary artist Francesca Fuentes, also known by her childhood nickname Chess, channels her real-life experiences and relationships into organic pop-rock-inspired tracks—effortlessly capturing the exhilarating, romantic, and soul-stirring facets of the human experience with sincerity and finesse. Born and raised by the Jersey shore, she began playing guitar and writing at 12—and began her musical journey at 18 after finding a like-minded musical community at Monmouth University. Her career was gaining momentum and buzz—her debut music video, “Rock With Me,” won Best Film at the 2019 Lovesick Film Festival in Jersey City. However, her trajectory took a sharp turn in 2021 after a personal and professional split with her producer, leaving her with an unfinished debut album and a deep creative and spiritual void. Inspired by powerhouse singer-songwriters like Taylor Swift and encouraged by mentor Mike Flannery, Francesca routed her heartbreak into cathartic projects—emerging with a refined, authentic pop sound. In her brand new music video "I Just Wanna Be Your Lover Again," Francesca invites viewers on an amorous journey through the decades—embracing strikingly on-the-nose looks from fashion and music icons that defined each era. From Pricilla Presley’s daisy-laden poof to Mariah Carey’s sleek black jumpsuit to Madonna’s sultry rooftop kiss—she crafts a vivid celebration of pop culture and style—masterfully blending the past, present, and future into one enchanting narrative. Sparks fly between Francesca and her new lover played by her real-life partner—but hesitation lingers. As she finds new romance, one big question remains: will she let the past hold her back? Working with longtime friend, director, and editor Kris Khunachak, every detail is intentional and meticulously planned. Her magnetic presence nearly distracts from the finer touches—like growing out her hair for a year, then cutting it mid-filming to achieve more precise looks. If that wasn’t enough, scattered easter eggs allude to her upcoming album—encouraging viewers to rediscover delightful details hidden in plain sight. It’s clear that Francesca poured all of herself into this visual—few artists commit so fully to fulfilling a vision—and it shows. Without a shadow of a doubt, “I Just Wanna Be Your Lover Again” is her most spirited, creative, and compelling display of artistry yet—and it’s just a glimpse of what’s to come. (00:03:39) World Premiere

Margo for Real - Meet Margo, a 40-something out-of-work actress with mother issues, who is facing Hollywood and society’s cruelest cut: irrelevance. Is it her or is it her birthdate? The only thing that keeps her going is her addiction to therapy…but when her therapist dumps her, she's forced to come up with a creative solution: free "therapy” from a priest during confession. Margo's hilarious journey to achieve a breakthrough ultimately leads her to break bad before becoming completely erased. Directed by Andrea Ashton. (00:19:59) New Jersey Premiere

My So-Called Iraqi Wedding - As a child, Iraqi-American SAMIRA “SAMI” RAMSEY learned to be an incurable romantic thanks to her rom-com loving, mystical aunt. Now, on the verge of 40, Sami has finally met ADAM, her person. But never mind love, how big is the wedding? That’s what her mother wants to know. And Sami finds herself sucked into the lavish, circus-like celebrations. She just needs to get through this wedding and then her life with Adam will be her own… right? My So-Called Iraqi-American Wedding asks the question, “How do you listen to your own heart when everything around you is so damn loud?" Directed by Ayser Salman (00:13:15) New Jersey Premiere

Robbers - Inspired by a viral theft trend, a wannabe musician schemes to afford studio time by convincing his bassist to burglarize a small business, but someone else might have the same idea. Directed by Ben Swearingen (00:13:40) New Jersey Premiere

Sienna and the Sit - This is a story about the lengths to which we go to avoid our pain, the community that helps us through to the other side, and ultimately our own inner strength. Sienna, a heartbroken LA seeker ready to try any spiritual remedy, has tried everything to get past her ex, to no avail. When her friend Ruthie says there's nothing left for her to do but sit Shiva, Sienna takes her metaphorical comment literally, and hosts a Shiva for her ex. Her self-absorbed, mostly actor friends are so ready for Sienna to finally move on, that they agree to her rather unusual proposal. Things start to unravel when a special guest guru, Linus, a self-proclaimed "Shiva" guide (Hindu god of destruction and death) shows up. Despite Sienna loving the synchronicities of the two Shivas, nothing could be less healing. And by the end, it turns into a bacchanalia of besties shoving their solutions in Sienna’s face to the point that she must escape. And finally sit with her grief. Directed by Scottie Thompson (00:16:30) New Jersey Premiere