Jersey City to roll out red carpet for International Television and Film Festival

By Steven Rodas | For The Jersey Journal
September 30, 2014 at 4:05 PM

Lights, camera, action!

A film festival celebrating independent filmmakers and TV writers will take over Jersey City for three days with thought-provoking films exploring various themes in unique perspectives.

The inaugural Jersey City International Television and Film Festival (JCITFF) will gather independent artists from Oct. 17 to 19 for a red carpet event, film screenings, panel discussions, networking and more.

"The purpose of the festival is to provide an opportunity for independent filmmakers to come together in Jersey City and interact with other filmmakers and exhibit their products," said Craig Goletz, the president of JCITFF.

The film festival will explore themes not prevalent in the mainstream. Such films include "Gen Silent," which deals with the struggles faced by the older LGBT generation and "Opening Eyes," about a local resident, Giselle Bellas, who is trying to promote opera to the youth.

Other features include "Dollar Night," which gives audiences a look at the hardships faced by old-time projection theaters being replaced by digital; and "Winter Bird," by local filmmaker John Dunstan, which was filmed in Liberty State Park.

The festival will showcase works by students, some of whom study media arts at New Jersey City University, and films from as far away as Croatia and Sweden.

Audiences will have chance to see different styles of filmmaking, including documentary and feature, and genres like horror, comedy, drama, suspense, and thriller.

The first day of the festival will focus on films about life in Jersey City.

The festival will kickoff at Parlay Studios, located at 161 Second St. in Jersey City, with a red carpet reception from 6 to 7 p.m.

Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop and other Hudson County dignitaries are expected attend the reception. At 7 p.m., independent films will be screened and the evening will conclude with a kickoff party for attendees.

The festival continues on Oct. 18 with a full day of screenings at two locations beginning at noon; WFMU's Monty Hall, 43 Montgomery St. and the Jersey City Museum at Caroline L. Guarini Theatre, 430 Montgomery St.

The "Gen Silent" documentary, which deals with gay equality, abuse and the discrimination that exists today, will be screened at 8 p.m. at the museum.

The festival will conclude on Oct. 19 at 1 p.m. with screenings of student films. An after-party will follow each day of screenings where attendees will have a chance to meet the filmmakers, the JCITFF team, film industry experts and like-minded film enthusiasts.

Goletz said he has "seen such a growth in the arts programs and a big push by Jersey City to offer programs and get people involved."

The JCITFF event comes on the heels of the Golden Door International Film Festival earlier this month. However, vice president of JCTIFF said their festival has some distinctive and exciting qualities.

"We're a year-round program and we've partnered with New Jersey City University to work on continuing education on how to get films made," said Vice President of the festival, Maureen Goletz. "Our program also has a unique television component."

Since JCITFF is still taking submissions for the festival, the lineup of films won't be posted online until a week prior to the festival. The deadline for submissions, which can be done by visiting www.jcitff.org, is Oct. 1.

Aspiring filmmakers and independent writers can submit films, TV pilots, full length features, documentaries, web series, animated shorts and scripts.

"We would like to encourage student filmmakers, who often don't have the opportunity, to hear people in the industry and get experience on sets, and in workshops," said Dorothy Purwin Fucito, a board member of the JCITFF.

Some of the year-round JCITFF workshops available to filmmakers include "Intro to TV Series Development," "Producers Cut," Intro to Web Series," "Cinematography 101," "Intro to Screenwriting Feature Films," and "Intro to TV Hosting: The Art of Communication." In these workshops students will have a chance to work with industry experts to develop their skills.

Tickets for the festival, which range from $10 to $25, are available at www.jcitff.brownpapertickets.com.

The festival is made possible through a partnership with New Jersey City University, as well as Green Light Films, Royal Scandinavian, JB Talent Management, Humanity Pride Productions, Batello, BCB Community Bank, Cocoa Bakery, SILVERMAN, and the Jersey City Medical Center-Barnabas Health.

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