Garden State Film Festival Countdown to GSFF 2012

                   March 22nd-25th, 2012 

Well it's 17 days and counting to the biggest and best Tenth Anniversary Celebration we could  have imagined!  This year's festivities begin with a Tribute to Robert Pastorelli, our beloved co-founder, with a FREE screening of Michael starring another one of our home grown stars, John Travolta, on Thursday March 22nd at 7:00 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park.  So grab the kids and come out to join us for a celebration of Robert's work, tribute by friends and family, and a special thank you for the part he played in creating this wonderful event.

Walk the red carpet with us on Friday Night March 23 at 7:00 p.m. when we present our Gala Cocktail Party and first screening. Hors d'oeuvres and desserts generously donated by our friends at Saker ShopRite will be served in the majestic Grand Arcade spectacularly transformed for the event by Christie Maruka of Fashion Fix, with entertainment by Jimmy Givens and Friends and photography by South Street Photo. Then join us in the historic Paramount Theatre for the opening ceremonies and the screening of the first films which include Cloned, Death Taxes & Apple Juice, and the feature film Shuffle starring T.J. Thyne and others from the cast of the TV hit series Bones.

On Saturday Night March 24th at 9:00 p.m. Immediately following Roger Paradiso's acclaimed new documentary, I Want My Name Back, the Paramount Theatre will light up with a performance by "Rapper's Delight Featuring Wonder Mike and Master Gee." I Want My Name Back chronicles the journey of hip hop's first megastars, Wonder Mike and Master Gee the original members of "The Sugarhill Gang" and writer/performers of "Rapper's Delight" - the first hip hop song to break into the musical and cultural mainstream. They tragically were stripped of the rights to their music, the band's name and even their own stage name and replaced by an imposter band.  I Want My Name Back chronicles their 20 year fight for their rightful legacy and place in music history.  Join "Rapper's Delight featuring Wonder Mike and Master Gee" with surprise appearances by friends and artists. *Special Ticket Required.

And so much more !! The complete schedule of 193 films from 17 countries screened in seven venues, plus timely workshops, and Q&As with filmmakers and celebrities take place over the course of the weekend.  GSFF only happens once a year so check out the schedule and  buy you tickets on line now at www.gsff.org.

See you at the movies! 

Professional Panel DiscussionsSaturday March 24, 1:00 p.m. - The Wonder Bar"So You Wanna Direct?"Join multiple-award winning director Bob Giraldi as he offers insight into an incredible directing career. Whether it's music videos, films, commercials - he's done it all. Saturday March 24, 2:30 p.m. - SICA"Reel Jersey Girls: Centennial of Alice Guy Blache's Solax Studio - One Hundred Years Of Women Filmmakers"Brought to us by our friends at the Fort Lee Film Commission, this panel will explore the history of women filmmakers in New Jersey going back as far as 1912 . Saturday March 24, 3:00 p.m. -  The Wonder Bar"The Real History of Hip Hop in New Jersey" As Told by Wonder Mike, Master Gee and Guest ArtistsFrom the streets of Newark to the suburbs of Bergen County, New Jersey was the birthplace of some of the most significant sounds in the early days of hip hop. Join an illustrious group of ground-breakers for an insider's look into the genre including GSSF's 2012 Spirit of New Jersey honorees and rap's first megastars: Wonder Mike and Master Gee of "The Sugarhill Gang." With "Rapper's Delight" - the first rap to break Billboard's Top 40 - hip hop went mainstream and became a worldwide phenomenon.  Hear New Jersey's groundbreaking hip hop pioneers and historians share the early days of hip hop from the Jersey perspective. Panelists Include:Current members of "Rapper's Delight Featuring Wonder Mike and Master Gee":Michael Wright a.k.a. Wonder MikeGuy O'Brien a.k.a. Master GeeHenry Williams a.k.a Hen Dogg - Producer, Writer, PerformerDJ T Dynasty - Producer, Writer, PerformerDa Noize - Producer, Writer, Performer  Plus:Anthony Criss a.k.a. Treach - Lead Rapper, "Naughty by Nature"Vincent Brown a.k.a. Vinnie - Rapper, "Naughty by Nature" Tickets for the event are $10 at the door while available.gsff.org Sunday March 25, 1:00 p.m. - SICA"The Business of Film Making in New Jersey:  Birthplace of the American Film Industry"
This panel will discuss the history of New Jersey as birthplace of the American film industry and the status of the industry today.  A lively discussion on the current state of film and TV production in New Jersey and what measures we can take to increase location and studio shoots throughout the state is anticipated.  Special guest Loretta Weinberg, New Jersey Senate Majority Leader, will lead the discussion on how to advocate for film and TV production in New Jersey!  

OPEN TALENT CALL'.

Saturday, March 24 & Sunday March 25
The Berkeley                                                                      Kingsley Room 1st Floor
1401 Ocean Avenue 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.Renate English, President of Friendly Faces Talent Management, will be holding an Open Talent Call. Connecting with a talent manager is the starting point for your career.  Renate will personally meet with everyone and all are welcome, especially outgoing, interesting types - babies to adult.  (Multilingual actors, and actors  who are into extreme sports or skateboarding are invited to attend.)  Please bring two photos/head shots and resumes and have a one minute monologue and/or 16 bars of a song you can perform a capella. If you are looking for New York representation, it's time to meet  Renate. Everyone will be seen, so come on down!  Free with suggested donation of the purchase of a screening ticket.