THE GARDEN STATE FILM FESTIVAL

The Garden State Film Festival has been attracting large audiences for the past 23 years. Globally known as a "filmmaker's festival," the GSFF showcases premier films and renowned and emerging artists, and empowers global connectivity between creators, innovators, and audiences. The festival opens with a star-studded red-carpet gala, and typically screens over 230 films from more than 23 countries around the world.

Since the festival’s inception, guest have included Bruce Springsteen, Glenn Close, Laura Dern, Matthew Modine, Christopher Lloyd, James Gandolfini, Clarence Clemons, Chaz Bono, Bebe Neuwirth, Armand Asante, Alec Baldwin, and perhaps the festival’s biggest supporter, the late Ed Asner. Many films that premiered at GSFF went on to garner numerous honors, including two Oscars. In 2023, GSFF welcomed over 18,496 filmmakers, celebrities, honorees, film industry execs and movie fans to a dozen different screening venues.

Lauren Concar Sheehy, the festival’s current executive director, brings a lot of experience to the position. Her impressive background includes producing, directing, and editing award-winning content. She has fundraised and cultivated opportunities for the neurodiverse, and other special populations and student filmmakers, while always seeking to transform communities and entertain audiences. She’s also the first woman to run Brookdale Television, a channel operated by Brookdale Community College that broadcasts to over 626,351 homes locally.

This time of year, Lauren channels those skills to assemble the many elements of the Garden State Film Festival and make it a success. “The GSFF offers much more than just the presentation of big movies and well-known celebrities. Creating a sense of community and cultivating filmmakers has always been a key part of the mission,” explains Lauren.

In addition to the glamour and excitement of the festival, the GSFF provides a year-round arts education agenda for public school students, veterans, underprivileged communities, civic groups, non-profits, special audiences, and senior citizens across the state. Also, festival programs provide novice and aspiring filmmakers the opportunity to meet and network with industry professionals in an atmosphere conducive to learning. Lauren is passionate about the educational benefits that the festival provides, stating, “We stress the transformative power of arts education to substantially improve children’s lives and academic outcomes, and prepare them for 21st century careers. We do this through mentoring, workshops, panel discussions and outreach programs. Each year the proceeds from the festival enable our organization to continue its year-round community outreach.”

Of course, what would a Jersey film festival be without a little bit of Jersey attitude? Lauren and her team embrace the Jersey can-do frame of mind. “New Jersey is in our festival’s DNA. That Jersey grit and determination is reflected in our programming and our filmmakers. And we’ve been able to find that spirit in both the local filmmakers and those from all over the world.”

The 2024 Festival Highlights:

The GSFF offers several categories for films and filmmakers of all kinds. Two of these exciting categories are High School and Younger, which offers family-friendly screenings where budding filmmakers can celebrate their achievements and explore career opportunities and technology resources, and the festival’s Home Grown category that showcases local productions, where 75% of principal photography has taken place in NJ. “Since New Jersey has seen record production numbers in recent years, thanks in no small part to Governor Murphy’s competitive financial incentives and the film-friendly environment created here in the state, including the efforts of the NJ Motion Picture & Television Commission, we’re seeing an increase in the number of projects that qualify for this category. It is wonderful to see our filmmakers live where they work, and to fulfill their creative dreams,” explains Lauren. “And since New Jersey offers so many different kinds of locations and settings -- mountains, beaches, cities, farms and more -- we see Jersey appearing in so many different kinds of films.”

This year’s festival takes place March 21st - March 24th in Asbury Park and Cranford. The weekend culminates with the Garden State Film Festival Awards Dinner on Sunday evening March 24th. This year’s honorees include GSFF Exceptional Women In Film recipient Carla Raij, who is a producer and UPM that worked with Steven Spielberg on Amblin Entertainment’s The Fabelmans, and GSFF Educator of the Year recipient David Diianni of FilmAcademy360. David is an active member of The Student Television Network and New Jersey Educational Computing Cooperative (NJECC) and is a presenter at the Producers Guild of America. The 2024 GSFF Honorary Chair is Clinton Mayor Janice Kovach, who in 2019 was appointed by Governor Murphy to serve as a board member of the NJ Motion Picture and Television Commission, where she assists productions navigating local NJ government. “It is an honor and privilege to serve as the honorary chair of the Garden State Film Festival, highlighting the vital role filmmaking plays in capturing stories that shape our cultural narrative,” stated Mayor Kovach. “With 23 years of excellence, the GSFF stands as a beacon for the entertainment industry, a testament to its Jersey greatness.”

The 2024 GSFF MVP is photographer Tom Zapcic, who spends his time covering nonprofit events and for publications such as Industry Magazine, Community, The Journal and more.

Enjoying the festival on location in New Jersey

As for the local flavor of the festival and its New Jersey venues, Lauren points out that “Each year our attendees and fans love exploring the numerous shops, restaurants, and other locations all over the city by the sea in Asbury Park and in downtown Cranford. I personally loved presenting in the Paramount Theater which has been a home to us. The Cranford Theater is also beautiful, as are Asbury Lanes, Asbury Hall, The Berkeley and the Jersey Shore Arts Center. All venues bring something unique to the festival experience.” The GSFF’s website contains a wealth of information about local amenities, including lodging.

In addition, the GSFF offers an entertaining and informative podcast series presented by Ming Chen, a key member of Kevin Smith’s team on AMC’s popular series Comic Book Men. Lauren, along with the all-female production crew at the Garden State Film Festival interview industry leaders and the talented filmmakers whose work was selected to screen at the festival.

Call to Action!

Want to join the team? The GSFF needs your help! Volunteer opportunities are numerous, and positions include venue managers, ticket takers, box office, merchandise sales, event staff, information guides and more. Visit our website to register or email us at volunteer@gsff.org

Tickets Please!

To learn more about purchasing Festival Passes and the variety of ticket options, including the popular full festival $100 Parkway Pass, that gives you full access to all of the screenings (Black Tie Dinner not included), visit https://www.gsff.org/ or call the festival at 877-908-7050.

Support the Festival

Financial support is critical to the festival’s ability to deliver a world class event and continue its year-round outreach and educational programs. There are numerous sponsorship opportunities, as well as an exciting chance to win up to $5000.00 with the purchase a 50/50 fundraising ticket (License# RL-56-23 | ID# 12-5-36265).

Got Film?

If you’re a filmmaker and missed the submission deadline for this year’s festival, don’t worry! Film submissions for the 2025 festival can be submitted on Filmfreeway starting May 1st, 2024.

You can find information about other New Jersey film festivals and events on the New Jersey Motion Picture & Television Commission’s Upcoming Events website page.