|
|
February 11, 2004
SECOND ANNUAL GARDEN STATE FILM FESTIVAL TO BE HELD AT ASBURY PARK'S PARAMOUNT THEATRE
The second annual Garden State Film Festival (GSFF) showcasing film, video and
animated works by independent filmmakers, will be held from March 25 - 28 at
the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park.
In addition to a series of film screenings, the festival also features a
professionally juried film competition, professional panel discussions and workshops
for young people.
"This is a celebration of the independent film genre and a wonderful opportunity to expose New Jersey audiences, young and old, to new cultural and artistic experiences through the medium of film," said Festival Executive Director Diane Raver. "The
panel of judges has sifted through more than 100 film entries from around the
world to select the best for this event. We are especially excited that this
Festival is being held in the historic Paramount Theatre, which has showcased
some of the world's greatest artists."
The Paramount Theatre and Convention Hall complex was recently purchased
by Asbury Partners, LLC, prime developer for the 56-acre mixed-use Oceanfront
Asbury waterfront revitalization project. Asbury Partners, which has been leasing
the complex since October 2002, has demonstrated its commitment to bring first-class
entertainment, cultural and educational events to this venue. They were a sponsor
of the Film Festival's debut last year and continue to be one of its strongest
supporters.
"We are thrilled to have such an important event at the Paramount Theatre," said Larry Fishman, Asbury Partners' chief operating officer. "Over
the years, this historic complex has hosted famous entertainers from the Marx
Brothers to the Rolling Stones. This film festival is another in a long line
of first-class entertainment events."
The festival will kick off Thursday night March 25, when Nu Generation Pictures
and The Entertainment Network of New Jersey - a division of Taglianetti Pictures
Inc. -will present one of their feature films, "The Right Way." This epic film, which features the late Caesar Romero, is presented to the audience to raise awareness of the work being done by both Nu Generation Pictures and The Garden State Film Festival to promote filmmaking in the state of New Jersey. The screening is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and tickets are $6.50 at the door.
The Festival will continue with two morning screenings for young people on Friday, March 26. An intermediate-age student screening at 9:15 a.m. will feature three animation pieces followed by a Q&A
with the filmmakers. A high school screening featuring the winners of the Scenarios
USA writing contest regarding health issues and life choices teens must make
will begin at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $2.00 and advanced reservations are needed.
On Saturday and Sunday, March 27 and 28, there will be two-hour blocks of screenings
beginning at 10:00 a.m. and running throughout the day. Each 2-hour block will
include a variety of film-types including animated films, film shorts, full-length
feature productions, music videos, commercials and student films in all categories.
General admission tickets are $6.50 for each 2-hour block, and can be purchased
at the Paramount Theater box office just before each screening. An all-weekend
festival pass will be available for $35.
Panel discussions such as "Writers on Writing" and "Music in the Film Biz' will be headed by industry professionals at posted times. In addition, workshops such as "Animation from Clay to Cartoon" will
provide young people with the opportunity to meet with film makers and receive
hands-on instruction in various aspects of this popular art form. Tickets to
the workshops and panel discussions are $10, and will be sold in advance.
An Open Talent Call will be held both Saturday and Sunday mornings at The
Berkeley Carteret Hotel. Reputable talent managers will meet with aspiring actors
and models of all ages. Admission is free, but a donation of a festival ticket
purchase is suggested. Please bring two snapshots.
An opening ceremony and reception will be held on Friday, March 26 at 6:00
p.m. at the historic Berkeley Carteret Hotel. John Conte who broke the Guinness
Book of World Records for continuous piano playing will perform. This will be
followed by a live performance by The Boardwalk Stage Company and screening
of the first films at the Paramount Theater. Tickets for this event are $37.50
in advance.
Professional juries will select winning films in a variety of categories
and present the awards at the closing GSFF Awards Dinner on Sunday, March 28
at 5:00 p.m. at the English Manor in Ocean Township. Tickets to this black tie
affair are $100 and must be purchased in advance. A list of the films being
shown with a short synopsis of each, as well as a posting of panel discussions
and workshops, will be available before the festival in printed form and on
the Film Festival website: www.gsff.org. For further information, contact Diane
Raver, executive director at (877) 908-7050.
|
|
