Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 06/06/2022
(LONG BEACH ISLAND, NJ) -- The 14th Annual Lighthouse International Film Festival took place June 2-5, 2022 on Long Beach Island. The program includesd Sundance and SXSW titles as Headliners and acclaimed international films in the Spotlight section. Also, Lighthouse also put its dark side on display in a new installment dedicated to genre, horror, sci-fi, and fantastic movies entitled DARKHOUSE.
Here is a look at the award winning films.
Narrative Feature: Jury Award Winner: Straighten Up and Fly Right by Steven Tanenbaum and Kristen Abate (USA)
Jury Special Mention: Love, Life and Goldfish by Yukinori Makabe (Japan)
Audience Award: Love, Life and Goldfish by Yukinori Makabe (Japan)
Documentary Competition:
Jury Award Winner: Eternal Spring by Jason Loftus (Canada)
Jury Special Mention: Oleg by Nadia Tass (USA)
Audience Award: Eternal Spring by Jason Loftus (Canada)
Shorts:
Best film: Ayaan by Alies Sluiter (Australia)
Best short doc: Freedom Day by Rianne Pyle (USA)
Social impact: Free Fall by Emmanuel Tenenbaum (France)
Episodic:
Best Episodic: Grafton by Ryan Santiago (USA)
Special Mention: The Photographer by Dina Zvi Riklis (Israel)
Darkhouse Audience Award:
For Roger by Aaron Bartuska
High School Students Films:
The Last Hunter by Ziling Chen
Jen Snyder Bryceland Award:
Exposure by Holly Morris
Honey Levine Audience Choice Award:
Song of Salt by Emma Baiada and Nicolas Snyder
Pat Dengler Volunteer of the Year:
Cathy Casey
EVENT PREVIEWS
"Daruma" from Oscar-Winning Executive Producer Peter Farrelly to be Screened in Atlantic Highlands on July 17th
(ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ) -- Daruma, executive produced by Oscar-winner Peter Farrelly, is returning to theaters this July for a limited theatrical run in honor of Disability Pride Month. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation to support its mission of funding innovative research, advancing care, and empowering individuals and families impacted by paralysis. Locally, Daruma will screen at Smodcastle Cinemas in Atlantic Highlands on Friday, July 17, 2026 at 7:30pm.
"An Evening With Dan and Laura" - A Behind the Scenes Look at Vivid Stage's First Feature Film
(SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage, in residence at the Oakes Center, will host "An Evening with Dan and Laura" on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 8:00pm. The evening will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Vivid's feature film: A Relative Comedy. Director Laura Ekstrand and Composer Dan Crisci will talk about what went into making the company's first feature.
The Trenton Film Society presents Kid Flicks: Celebrating Black Stories
(TRENTON, NJ) -- On Saturday, July 18, 2026, the Trenton Film Society will present a special program for children 8+, in partnership with the renowned New York International Children's Film Festival. Celebrating Black Stories spotlights Black narratives that transcend national boundaries, culture, and language. With roots in history and tradition, these films share the joy, determination, resilience, and complexity of being young and Black while underscoring the vibrancy of Black storytelling.
45th Bi-Annual New Jersey Film Festival will Take Place September 4th through October 4th
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The 45th Bi-Annual New Jersey Film Festival will be taking place between September 4 - October 4, 2026. As they have been doing the last few years, the festival will be presented as a hybrid with select in-person screenings at Rutgers University and most of the films available virtually via Video on Demand for 24 hours on their show date. The festival also be offering an Audio-Visual Concert featuring the bands Lawns and Hanging Coats as well as two FREE Filmmaking Workshops.
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