Montclair Film Festival to Open at Kasser Theater

The inaugural Montclair Film Festival will kick off with an Opening Night Gala at Montclair State University’s Alexander Kasser Theater on May1. Running from May 1-6, the festival will feature more than 45 films and upwards of 50 special guests making Montclair and the surrounding communities the place to be for film buffs.

In addition to hosting the Opening Night Gala and the screening of the film, The Oranges on May 1, the Kasser Theater will also be the venue for the screening of Undefeated on May 3.

Montclair State’s own up-and-coming filmmakers will be showcased on May 4 in NJ Shorts 1: New Visions from Montclair State University showing at the Clairidge Cinema 2 in Montclair. This program showcases the best shorts created by undergraduate students majoring in Filmmaking in the University’s School of Communication and Media. This collection of films will include:

ONE HEART (2012) Producers: Ryan Miller & Lindsay Rassmann – 12 min.
A young man journey’s to meet his heart donor’s family for the first time.  Ryan and Lindsay are Broadcasting Majors.  Ryan is from Monroe Township, and Lindsay is from Brick, New Jersey.  This film is collaboration between students, faculty, and staff of the Department of Broadcasting.

“We made this film to promote organ donation awareness and show that people from completely different worlds can have an amazing bond.” – Ryan Miller

FRAGMENTS (2012) Directors: Monika Delgado & Mickey Todiwala – 6min.
Fragments is a non-narrative short which explores a highly atmospheric theme through a collection of skillfully photographed scenes. The film captures the beauty and mystery of several desolated spaces throughout the Nevada desert.  Monika and Mickey are Filmmaking Majors graduating in May 2012.

ACCEPTANCE  (2011) Director: Gina LoPinto – 17 min.
A young man must confront the imminent death of his childhood friend, which forces him to question his own life. Gina, 21, is Filmmaking Major from Green Brook, NJ and will be graduating in 2013.

“My inspiration for Acceptance came from my own experience with loss and the idea that one person can change your whole life just by being a part of it.”

BEYOND RENDITION  (2011) Director: Marco Bobadilla  – 6 min.
John, an honest cop, is forced to take down his brother Andrew’s confession for the murder of their abusive stepfather, Jonas.  But, what begins as a cold admission of guilt ends being so much more.  Marco, a Filmmaking Major, is from Union, New Jersey, 25 years old, and will be graduating in May 2012.

“I wanted to make a thriller where the audience would have to question their choice of which character to root for.”

DREAMIN’  (2012) Director: Justin Guerrieri – 12 min.
A shy young man is reunited with his imagination, giving him the courage he needs to be the office hero and get the girl of his dreams. Justin, a Filmmaking Major, is from Middletown, New Jersey, and will be graduating in 2013.

“I am trying to re-connect the audience with their childhood imagination, something I feel that’s forgotten.”

LOLA  (2012) Director: Alfred Marroquin – 23 min.
A young woman’s struggle to make amends after an abortion attempt. Alfred, a Filmmaking Major, will be graduating in May 2012.

“I made Lola because I’ve always sympathized with women who come from nothing. I made an attempt to tell the story of a woman from the streets trying to better her life, but having to face to the obstacles that life’s created.”

Tickets to this event will cost $6 for members of the Montclair State community.  Enter the promo code “MFF” to take advantage of this exclusive discount.

Film screenings and events will be held at locations around Montclair and full schedules, information, and ticket purchase is available at montclairfilmfest.org.