(TEANECK, NJ) -- The Teaneck International Film Festival's 20th year program will close with the feature film, Lilly, on Sunday, November 9, 2025 at 7:30pm, at Temple Emeth (1666 Windsor Rd) in Teaneck. The film, based on the true story of Lilly Ledbetter, whose fight for equal rights in the workplace led to state and national legislation.
Lilly follows the transformation of an ordinary citizen in the face of an issue, illuminating the impact of a single, courageous person. Based on the true story of working-class hero, Lilly Ledbetter, an Alabama tire factory supervisor whose goal is to lift her family into the middle class. We follow Lilly as she battles Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in court
The film stars Patricia Clarkson in a powerful performance. A film for this moment, Lilly inspires audiences with hope.
The closing film is sponsored by YWCA of Northern New Jersey, Senator Loretta Weinberg, National Council of Jewish Women Bergen County Section, Shahanaz Arjumand, and WOW (Women of Wisdom).
In addition to the screening, the closing program will include the presentation of the annual WOW award to two Teaneck women who exemplify the theme of the movie and of TIFF - Activism: Making Change. Allison Davis and Hildy Dillon will be recognized for their inspiring careers and volunteer activities.
Allison Davis, who moved to Teaneck in 1958, was in the first 6th grade class at Bryant School – the start of Teaneck’s historic voluntary school integration plan. She returned to the township as an adult in 1980 after having moved away for some time. She has had an extensive career in television news, breaking barriers in local and national news and leading a team of cyber-journalists who built the foundation for what later became MSNBC. Her previous positions have included Sr. Vice President of CBS TV’s syndication unit, writer and producer for the Today Show, and producer for the NBC broadcasts Monitor, First Camera, and NBC Nightly News.
Allison has been an adjunct professor at several universities, and is the co-author of the book, Global News: Perspectives on the Information Age. She co-founded the National Association of Black Journalists and produced a documentary about that organization, Beyond the Headlines: The NABJ Journey, that was sponsored by the Bergen County Chapter of the Links, Inc. at this year’s film festival.
Since her “retirement” Allison has been involved with local organizations including the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Committee, and the Teaneck Biddy Basketball organization which inducted her into its Hall of Fame for her leadership role. She has been working with the Teaneck Historical Society in chronicling oral (and visual, thanks to her) histories of Teaneck residents, and she finds time to serve as co-chair of the township’s Parks, Playgrounds and Recreation Advisory Board.
Allison Davis
Hildy Dillon began her career working in the clinical chemistry lab at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and, after graduate school, went on to lead national education and support programs for the American Lung Association, Leukemia, and Lymphoma Society and the Cancer Support Community. Retired since 2020, she continues her advocacy to advance the inclusion of the cancer patient experience in clinical research and cancer care delivery. Having seen volunteerism all her life with the example set by her mother, it was natural for her to plunge into a plethora of helping positions.
Hildy now chairs the Teaneck Environmental Commission and recently received a certificate of recognition from the Teaneck Town Council for her leadership in launching Teaneck’s first Neighborhood Compost Program. She was on the township’s Master Plan Steering Committee and is on the Advisory Board of Age-Friendly Teaneck. She serves as Co-Director of Advocacy for the League of Women Voters Teaneck, as the Co-Vice-President /Advocacy for the NCJWBCS, and is on the advocacy organizing team for the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, New Jersey.
In her spare time, Hildy is a member and assistant secretary of the Temple Emeth Board of Trustees, and an active member of the congregation’s Caring and Social Action committees. Last year she was honored to receive the Temple’s Heal the World Activism Award.
Hildy Dillon
If there is something that needs doing, Allison and Hildy are called. When called, these inspiring women they may be counted on - to do an outstanding job and to set an inspiring example of how to make the world a better place.
A project of The Puffin Foundation Ltd., the Teaneck International Film Festival will take place November 6-13, 2025, featuring over 25 films, panel discussions, awards, and parties with filmmakers, actors, elected officials and industry guests attending.
The film festival with a social conscience is committed to telling stories that need to be heard, and inspiring thoughtful discussion, involvement, and activism. The narrative features, documentaries, and shorts cover a broad range of subjects that are of concern to all: civil rights, women's rights, immigration, threats to free speech, the unhoused and food insecurity, LGBTQ+ concerns, the environment, and more.
According to Executive Director Jeremy Lentz, "The work of the Teaneck International Film Festival has become more urgent at a time in our nation's history where we see threats to our most sacred democratic institutions. The Teaneck International Film Festival stands strong as we celebrate our 20th year in continuing to provide a platform to showcase some of the most compelling independent films that shed light and raise awareness on some of the most pressing issues of our time."
