GARDEN STATE FILM FESTIVAL welcomes new board members

Doreen Sayegh

We are very proud to congratulate board member, Doreen Sayegh for her most recent accolade! ShowEast and the National Association of Concessionaires 2022 honored Sayegh with the ShowEast Icon Award, credited with leading the NAC and the exhibition industry out of the pandemic and into recovery.

From a young age, Sayegh developed the passion for the movie theater industry through her mentor and father, Jesse Y. Sayegh, Independent Movie Theater Owner. Growing up in a family of theater owners, Doreen learned everything firsthand about the business: selling concessions, daily operational management, strategic marketing, and national partnerships. She is an independent owner today. Holding a BA in Marketing and an MBA in Business Management, Doreen worked in the corporate industry for the circuits and consulted for a few years as well on distribution of alternative content. Although Doreen worked her way up the ranks in the corporate arena, her passion was serving her community. She decided to renovate The Cranford Theater in 2019 and bring Cranford’s hometown theater back to life for people of all ages to enjoy.



The unfortunate circumstances of the pandemic impacted everyone and after the Grand Opening of The Cranford Theater in November 2019, Doreen was forced to shut the doors like most business owners. Doreen immediately pivoted into selling On-the-Go Concessions and creating at Home Movie Packs and Holiday Gift options for sale. Simultaneously, Doreen began the design and execution of the Cranford Theater Drive-In, which was wildly successful and created a place to not only create memories but a safe place where friends and families could gather in a socially distanced and safe manner. This was her way of giving back and helping others, which brought the community together at a time of complete uncertainty. During its run, the Drive-In also conducted outreach programs to further support families facing hardships as a result of the pandemic including several food, school and cleaning supply drives, holiday gift wrapping supply assistance, raised money for Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and partnered with the Cake Boss to raise money for the Children’s Specialized Hospital.

A.J. Swirz

A.J. is a New Jersey native that graduated from Stockton University in 2007 and immediately jumped into film and television production. Over the last 14+ years he’s accumulated credits on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, St. Vincent, The Girl on the Train, Fate of the Furious, the upcoming feature The Goldfinch, Severance, the Emmy-Winning series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and more. After spending the bulk of his career in the Locations Department, A.J. has begun producing his own projects. In the bit of spare time he has, A.J. enjoys painting and writing.



  “We are pleased and grateful to have added a depth of talent and wisdom to our board of directors this year,” said Lauren Concar Sheehy, executive director. “We’re in a very pivotal stage of the festival’s growth, and the leadership of these new members will be valuable in shaping both next year’s festival and the future of our organization.



  “Every year,” Concar Sheehy said, “we see even greater growth and recognition as the premier film event both in New Jersey and at the Shore. The well-rounded nature of our board of directors brings enormous talent and expertise to lead continuous improvement of the festival to the benefit of film enthusiasts, the entire state of New Jersey and the Jersey Shore community.”



    The Garden State Film Festival was born at a kitchen table by the award-winning film industry veteran Diane Raver.  Creativity and passion catapulted Ms. Raver along with Robert Pastorelli to bring an all-encompassing event to the State of New Jersey.  It premiered in 2003 and was immediately deemed a huge success.



  Since that time, industry notables such as Glenn Close, Christopher Lloyd, Batman producer Michael Uslan, Matthew Modine, Linda Hamilton, Robert Patrick, Kevin Smith,   Austin Pendleton, Kurtwood Smith, James Gandolfini, Clarence Clemons, Bruce Springsteen, Lainie Kazan, Diane Ladd, Laura Dern, Bebe Neuwirth, Armand Asante, Sally Struthers—and our biggest supporter Ed Asner—as well as others have lent their support.



  GSFF has extensive year-round outreach for youth groups, schools, seniors, military, and other nonprofits.  They Develop media literacy, create cultural awareness, and global understanding for a lifelong appreciation of cinema.  GSFF programs are aimed to cultivate imaginations, introduce students to filmmaking careers and expose all of us to the very best the cinematic arts have to offer in a media-saturated world.



  “The fundamental goals still remain to develop strong relationships with established and emerging filmmakers and to accelerate our support of community educational initiatives,” Concar Sheehy said.



GSFF is currently guiding other film festivals on how to navigate the future, preparing workshops, and gearing up for its 2023 festival bringing together a live, diverse audience to experience true independent films.  Save the date for the 21st annual GSSF in March 23-26, 2023.



Know a filmmaker, screen writer or music composer?  The GSFF 2021 call for entries is now open!  For more information and news about the festival, visit gsff.org



Know a filmmaker, screen writer or music composer?  The GSFF 2021 call for entries is now open!  For more information and news about the festival, visit gsff.org

The GSFF is New Jersey's Premier Independent Film Festival®. Now in its 21st year, the GSFF, a 501-c-3non-profit organization, is a global destination festival that stimulates economic growth in New Jersey through the arts. It also promotes student creativity, makes the arts accessible to underserved populations and preserves heritage arts.



Since 2003, thousands of films have made their public premiers, hundreds of thousands of people from around the world have attended; and the total infusion of cash to local businesses since inception exceeds $10 million.