my own box is a quasi-documentary about artist Alice Rende and it shows some behind the scenes and explanation into her new project, Fora. In her show Fora, Rende forces herself to contort her body in a very confined space (a glass box) and when she decides to escape the box, her body is left still contorting to the box she has since been able to escape. Fora is a demonstration of conforming to social norms, the effects of doing so, and the end result of a person confined to such small spaces.
Rende studied at the National Circus School of Brazil, has participated in multiple Brazilian-led projects, and continues to use the art of circus to tell amazing stories of her life, the political aspects of the human body, and paying homage to the misfits like her in the world.
my own box is directed by documentary filmmaker Filip Jacobson, known for Lekcja patriotyzmu (2016), and Dziennik Tanaki (2021). my own box (2026) is a film produced as part of Take Care, the first ever EU project dedicated to supporting mental health and well-being in the circus arts sector, led by FEDEC - International network for professional circus education. The film features a wonderful score by Saara Żórawski and Thomas Baudriller.
The film is full of breathtaking visuals to match a beautiful and inspiring story about one person’s art, creativeness, mental health, goals, and struggles of art vs. life. Jacobson uses smart framing and camera movements to make the viewer feel like Rende, in the way of forcing your eye to different sections of the screen, as well as claustrophobic angles and framing. I consider this film to be a very smart and gorgeous artistic expression, on both Jacobson and Rende’s part. The combination of excellent direction and filmmaking with a beautiful and tragic story make for a remarkable film that will leave the viewer pondering about themselves, both the artists involved, and art as a whole.
my own box screens as part of Shorts Program #1 at the New Jersey Film Festival on Saturday, Sunday, September 6, 2026 – – Online for 24 Hours on this date and In-Person at 5PM in Voorhees Hall #105/Rutgers University, 71 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901!
Get more info and buy tickets here.
The 45th Bi-annual New Jersey Film Festival will be taking place between September 4-October 4, 2026. The Festival will be a hybrid as we will be presenting it online as well as doing select in-person screenings at Rutgers University. All the films will be available virtually via Video on Demand for 24 hours on their show date. VOD start times are at 12 Midnight Eastern USA. Each General Admission Ticket or Festival Pass purchased is good for both the virtual and the in-person shows when both are offered. We will also be offering an Audio-Visual Concert featuring Hanging Coats and Lawns as well as two FREE Filmmaking Workshops! The in-person screenings, the filmmaking workshops and the AV Concert will be held in Voorhees Hall #105/Rutgers University, 71 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick, NJ beginning at 1PM, 5PM or 7PM on their show date. General Admission Ticket=$15 Per Program; Festival All Access Pass=$100; In-Person Only Student Ticket=$10 Per Program. The Filmmaking Workshops are FREE and open to the public but have limited seating and require advance registration. To register email us at [email protected]
For more info on the Film festival go here: https://newjerseyfilmfestivalfall2026.eventive.org/welcome
There are multiple performances including:
Thursday, Oct 15, 2026
@ 7:30pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
New Brunswick, NJ
Thursday, Oct 15, 2026
@ 6:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ
Thursday, Oct 15, 2026
@ 7:30pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
New Brunswick, NJ
There are multiple performances including:
Friday, Oct 16, 2026
@ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ
The original Broadway sensation returns to STNJ! Celebrating 20 years—Jersey style!
Sunday, Oct 18, 2026
@ 6:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ
