Garden State Film Festival previews

The sixth annual Garden State Film Festival (GSFF) showcasing film, video and animated works by independent filmmakers, will roll out the “red carpet” and light up the sky from April 4 – April 6 in Asbury Park. Attending this year’s event are notables including: Danny Aiello, Chris Costello, Chip Cronkite, Joe Gruschecky, Budd Schulberg, Paul Sorvino, Sean Stone, Brian Thompson, Michael Uslan, and Montel Williams among others.

This year’s honorees include novelist and Oscar-winning screenwriter Budd Schulberg who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for Screenplay Writing. Chris Costello, daughter of Hollywood legend Lou Costello, will be accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award for Acting on behalf of her father. Kate Carter, founder of LifeChronicles, a company producing videos for families with health or life crises, will be receiving the Broader Vision Award for Filmmaking Dedicated to the Greater Good.
“This year’s event far exceeds our greatest expectations as a young festival. To have such honored guests and industry veterans in Asbury Park is the culmination of an exceptional Board of Directors and a very hard working group of volunteers” stated Diane Raver, Executive Director/Co-Founder.

This year the festival has increased the number of venues to nine, including the Paramount Theater, 5th Avenue Pavilion, Berkeley Hotel, VFW Post 1333, Mattison Park, Synaxis, The Stephen Crane House, Stone Pony and the Youth Temple in Ocean Grove.

General admission tickets are $10 for each two-hour block of films, and can be purchased in advance on the GFSS web site, www.gsff.org, or any of the venues. An all-regular weekend festival pass will be available for $40. This pass entitles the bearer to all events except the Awards Dinner. A variety of workshops and panel discussions for young people and adults will also be held throughout the weekend.

NEW SCREENPLAY CATEGORY

The GSFF has created a new category for screenplay writers, in association with the New Jersey Screenwriters Network.

“The foundation of any movie is a good script. As the GSFF grows each year, our goals are to add additional categories to embrace all facets of filmmaking. I am very excited to include this new category at our film festival this year. We will also hold staged ‘read through’ of the winning script where professional actors will read the script to a live audience, on Saturday, April 5th, 8:00pm at the Stephen Crane House” Raver said. Kevin Caruso, founder of the New Jersey Screenwriters Network, was instrumental in working with Raver to create this new competition. The winners of the competition will be recognized at the GSFF Black Tie Awards Dinner held on April 6, 2008 at The English Manor in Ocean Township.

A SPECIAL RED CARPET PREMIERE SCREENING & RECEPTION TO BENEFIT THE MONTEL WILLIAMS MS FOUNDATION

The GSFF will host Starline Films’ theatrical documentary, “4CHOSEN,” and talk-show host Montel Williams at a special red carpet premiere screening on Thursday, April 3 at the famed Paramount Theater, 1300 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park, NJ (7 p.m. red carpet arrivals, 8 p.m. screening, reception to follow).

“4CHOSEN” tells the story of four young minority basketball players from New York City who were traveling to North Carolina for a college basketball showcase when they were profiled by two NJ State Troopers and shot 13 times. A powerful team of attorneys led by Johnnie Cochran assisted them as they rebuilt their lives and influenced major law changes. April 23, 2008 marks the 10 year anniversary of this incident. This documentary, produced and directed by actor Jon Doscher and narrated by Montel Williams, features interviews with Reverend Al Sharpton, Peter Neufeld, Barry Schek, and Wynton Marsalis.

Tickets for the special screening and reception are $25 and can be purchased at the event; or on the GSFF web site, www.gsff.org, and at www.starlinefilms.com. A portion of the ticket sales will benefit the Montel Williams MS Foundation, www.montelms.org, and support the 6th Annual Garden State Film Festival.

OPENING NIGHT (APRIL 4)
MOVIES, OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION

An opening ceremony and reception will be held on Friday, April 4 at 6:30 p.m. in the Grand Arcade, followed by a screening of this new independent film “The Flyboys” at The Paramount Theater. This family friendly action adventure film is directed, produced, and co-written by Rocco DeVilliers. Jason DeVilliers and Richard Dutcher also co-wrote The Flyboys script while Dan Urness helped produce the independent film.

AFTER PARTIES.
FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 10:30PM: GRAND ARCADE
(Adjacent to the Paramount Theater)
SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 10:30PM SYNAXSIS (660 Cookman Avenue)

Saturday, April 5:
OPEN TALENT CALL
As in previous years, the 2008 festival will include an open talent call on Saturday, April 5 from 9:00 a.m. – 12 noon where Friendly Faces Management will meet with aspiring actors and models of all ages. Participants should bring two photographers. Admission to the open talent call is free, but a donation of purchasing a film screening ticket is requested.

CELEBRATE NJ KIDS
Noon to 1 p.m.: The Paramount Theater:
Celebrate NJ! will hold an awards event for the 4th Grade School Program honoring Monmouth County students whose work has been selected as part of the statewide “Best of the Best” list at the Garden State Film Festival.

1 to 3 p.m.: The Paramount Theater
Legends Behind The Comic Books: The documentary captures interviews with the surviving legendary artists and writers from The Golden Age of Comic Books (1938-1951) to The Silver Age of Comic Books (1956-1973), who provide compelling insights as the last of the creators who were there at the beginning. The film examines the artistry of these individuals, who helped shape the industry, forging superheroes out of their fertile imaginations. The venerable list includes Stan Lee (co-creator of Spider-Man, The Hulk, The X-Men, The Silver Surfer, Daredevil, and The Fantastic Four), Jerry Robinson (co-creator of The Joker and Robin the Boy Wonder), Joe Simon (co-creator of Captain America, Sandman, Manhunter and the concept known as “romance comics”), Joe Kubert (definitive comic book artist of Hawkman, Sgt. Rock, Tarzan), Murphy Anderson (definitive artist of Buck Rogers, The Spectre, Dr. Fate, Hourman, Starman, and Black Canary) and many more, all now in their 70’s through 90’s.

The film is a project of Montclair-based Stonebridge Productions, LLC. The Executive Producers are Michael Uslan (executive producer of the Batman movie franchise, including Batman Begins), Susan V. Bershad, and David J. Bershad. Chip Cronkite served as Producer and Director.

Dialogues April 4 – 6 at Grand Arcade:
Dialogues is an art installation consisting of nine, 7 X 8 foot free standing screens with over 2,000 inspiring quotations arranged under 18 general topics such as love, success, politics, community, strength and character.

1:30 to 3:30 p.m.: 5th Avenue Pavilion: (The Documentary)
Dialogues explores freedom of expression, the creative process and the healing potential of inherent wisdom. Unfolding like a narrative drama, Dialogue demonstrates how profoundly the unexpected can inspire, why our public spaces are being circumscribed and, in moving interview footage, how the wisdom of the ages revitalizes lives -- all against the backdrop of America's ever-changing landscape.

1:15 to 3:15 p.m.: Berkeley Hotel (Fund-raiser for Monmouth County SPCA)
Weiner Takes All: A Dogumentary takes a journey into the unexplored world of wiener dog racing, home to capacity crowds, healthy dachshunds and rabid owners. 'Wiener' unleashes the truth as it tracks America's fastest weenies on a tour of the professional dachshund racing circuit. Opening with the infamous 2003 Noodles-Pretzel incident, and ending with the 2005 Wiener Nationals, we crisscross the continent to get the inside scoop on what makes these champion dogs and their colorful owners tick. The GSFF is hoping film-goers will bring items needed for shelter animals to this screening. SPCA volunteers will be on hand to accept all donations and to answer questions concerning adoptions. For a complete list of items needed visit. www.monmouthcountyspca.org.

6:30 to 8:30 p.m.: Fifth Avenue Pavilion
Hold On is a quirky comedy about Rose, a spirited, quadriplegic, physicist who goes to extreme measures in her quest for romance. “Hold On” is also an engaging, short film - part romance, part magic realism – and is sprinkled with absurdity and symbolism, adding a touch of spice for the consummate film lover. The film stars Jackie Julio and Doug Olear. Olear is making his first directorial debut in this 21-minute film, featuring music by Bruce Springsteen. Olear is well known for his role in the HBO show “The Wire,” where he is now in his fourth season as FBI Agent, Terry “Fitz” Fitzhugh. He is also a past winner of the Robert Pastorelli Rising Star Award. Similarly, Dominic West, the star of the HBO show “The Wire” is an actor in “Hold On.” He was recently in the hit film "300," “Chicago,” (12 Oscar nominations) “28 Days” opposite Sandra Bullock, “The Mona Lisa Smile” opposite Julia Roberts, and the list goes on. Jackie Julio who has a rare disability, a quadriplegic confined to a wheelchair, co-wrote, co-directed, co-produced and co-starred in this film.




8:15 to 10:15 p.m.: The Paramount Theater
Greetings From The Shore: Staring Paul Sorvino, is a story about a young girl still reeling from the death of her father, while spending one last summer at the Jersey Shore before heading off to college. “Greetings from the Shore” is part memoir, part fairytale. The film was shot in Lavallette, New Jersey, in the same seaside town where the real events occurred to writer Gabrielle Berberich.

7:15 to 8:30 p.m.: Berkeley Hotel
Hearts of Desire is the story of Ashton Jones, an aging singer/songwriter, who can not support his wife and daughter is separated from his family and forced to live in the childhood home and room he grew up in, with his father a Los Alamos physicist. This film captures love, tragedy, and family in a tale of fate, faith, and an exploration of the human soul. Filmmaker Loren Hayes is a Lakewood resident.

1:15 TO 3 P.M.: The Stone Pony (Music Videos)
Music videos will be featured at the legendary Stone Pony. The videos include “Twice is too much,” “Siempre Pude Ver,” “Can You See Us,” “In the Eye of the Beholder,” “Companero,” “I dream in Stereo,” “The Matches” and “A Good Life-the Joe Grushecky Story.”

10 p.m.: The Stone Pony (Live Performance by Joe Grushecky)
Joe Grushecky, has written, recorded and performed with rock legends Bruce Springsteen and Steve Cropper, garnered praise from the likes of Rolling Stone magazine and the Village Voice, helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for various charities, toured the world with his band, the Houserockers, all while doing his day job of teaching some of the most difficult and neglected kids in society. It’s a rock-and-roll story of determination, passion and success ... no matter how it’s measured.
If movie-goers want to see this film and also attend a 10 p.m. live performance at the Stone Pony on Saturday night, the movie and the concert is $25. Ticket price for the concert only is $20.
12-30-2:15 Sunday April 6th The Paramount Theater
“In Sickness and In Health”In 2002, seven couples in the state of New Jersey filed a lawsuit in hopes of legalizing same-sex marriage. “In Sickness and In Health” closely chronicles the journey of three of these couples: Tragically, watching one couple’s heartbreak as their dream dies at the cruel hands of ALS. While Marilyn and Diane never officially took the vow “In Sickness and in Health,” they tragically felt the pain of 'death do us part'.

“Freeheld” (2008 Academy Award short Documentary)
Directed by: Cynthia Wade Detective Lieutenant Laurel Hester spent 25 years investigating tough cases in Ocean County, New Jersey, protecting the rights of victims and putting her life on the line. She had no reason to expect that in the last year of her life, after she was diagnosed with terminal cancer, that her final battle for justice would be for the woman she loved. Public demonstrations at the county courthouse to quiet, tender moments of Laurel and Stacie at home, 'Freeheld' combines tension-filled political drama with personal detail, creating a nuanced study of a grassroots fight for justice.

Sunday, April 6
2:30 to 5 p.m.: The Paramount Theater
Nuremberg: The 60th Anniversary Director’s Cut. In accordance with Holocaust Remembrance Month internationally, 2008 Garden State Film Festival will host the world premiere of Holocaust documentary “Nuremberg: The 60th Anniversary Director’s Cut.”
Screenwriters Budd Schulberg, 94, (Oscar winner for On the Waterfront), one of the greatest American screenwriters, attended the Nuremberg Trials and will be part of the Q&A panel.

*And There Is More*

GSFF 2008 Panel Discussions
Saturday, April 5 12 – 1 p.m.
The Berkeley Hotel 1401 Ocean Ave.
Asbury Park, NJ

“Getting In Front of the Camera”
Join Joe Hunter, former president of Ford Model Men’s Division, and some of his esteemed colleagues as they give insight and advice about breaking into the business. With first hand knowledge on modeling, imaging, advertising and contracts, you won’t want to miss this chance to ask questions from these seasoned veterans if you have aspirations in the acting or modeling arena.

Saturday, April 5 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
The Berkeley Hotel 1401 Ocean Ave.
Asbury Park, NJ

“Writers on Writing”
Join Academy Award-winning writer Budd Schulberg (“On the Waterfront” and “A Star Is Born”) and Stanley Becker, former creative director of Saatchi and Saatchi Advertising, writing legends of the industry, as they discuss what it took to make it big in the business.
Sunday, April 6 1 – 3:30 p.m.
Fifth Avenue Pavillion.
Asbury Park, NJ
“The Time of Their Lives (1946)”
With Q&A by Chris Costello ( Lou Costello’s Daughter) and other Abbott and Costello authorities
Join us for one of Abbott and Costello’s cult favorites The Time of Their Lives” Two ghosts who were mistakenly branded as traitors during the Revolutionary War return to 20th century New England to retrieve a letter from George Washington which would prove their innocence. Followed by a Q&A featuring Chris Costello, daughter of Lou Costello, and other experts for a retrospect of their work and personal stories of life at home with her famous dad.
Professional juries will select winning films in a variety of categories and present the awards at the closing GSFF Awards Dinner on Sunday, April 6 at 5:30 p.m. at The English Manor in Ocean Township. Tickets to this black tie affair are $120 and must be purchased in advance.

A list of the films being shown with a short synopsis of each, as well as a posting of panel discussions and workshops, is available in printed form and on the film festival website at www.gsff.org.

The GSFF is also seeking volunteers to assist with this year’s festival and sponsors to support the efforts of our non-profit organization.

For further information on the 2008 Garden State Film Festival, or to find out how you can volunteer to be a part of the upcoming festival, refer to the GSFF website, www.gsff.org, or contact Diane Raver, executive director, at 877-908-7050. The Garden State Film Festival is an all volunteer non-profit organization.

There will be secured valet parking on both Thursday and Friday nights.


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Subj: 2008 GARDEN STATE FILM FESTIVAL Rolls out the Red Carpet*Many Celebs*Great Films
Date: 3/5/2008 3:33:44 P.M. Eastern Standard Time
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NANETTE LEONARD PUBLIC RELATIONS
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MARCH 5, 2008

SIXTH ANNUAL GARDEN STATE FILM FESTIVAL ROLLS OUT THE RED CARPET & LIGHTS UP THE SKY IN ASBURY PARK, NJ APRIL 3 – 6

2008 ANNUAL EVENT TO HONOR BUDD SCHULBERG WITH LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR SCREENWRITING

SPECIAL GUESTS INCLUDE DANNY AIELLO, CHRIS COSTELLO, CHIP CRONKITE, JOE GRUSCHECKY, BARBARA RUSH, BUDD SCHULBERG, SEAN STONE, BRIAN THOMPSON, MICHAEL USLAN, MONTEL WILLIAMS, PAUL SORVINO AMONG OTHERS

“THE LEGENDS BEHIND THE COMIC BOOKS” DOCUMENTARY AND PANEL DISCUSSION WITH PRODUCER /DIRECTOR CHIP CRONKITE, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER MICHAEL USLAN, LEGEND GREG HILDEBRANDT
AND OTHER GREATSFROM THE COMIC BOOK WORLD

MONTEL WILLIAMS TO ATTEND SPECIAL RED CARPET PREMIERE SCREENING & RECEPTION OF “4CHOSEN” ON APRIL 3 TO BENEFIT HIS MS FOUNDATION

CELEBRATE NJ KIDS AWARDS EVENT FOR 4TH GRADE SCHOOL PROGRAM HONORING MONMOUTH COUNTY STUDENTS
PLUS

NEW VENUES*EXCITING INDEPENDENT FILMS*WORKSHOPS*& PANELS

(Asbury Park, NJ) The sixth annual Garden State Film Festival (GSFF) showcasing film, video and animated works by independent filmmakers, will roll out the “red carpet” and light up the sky from April 4 – April 6 in Asbury Park. Attending this year’s event are notables including: Danny Aiello, Chris Costello, Chip Cronkite, Joe Gruschecky, Budd Schulberg, Paul Sorvino, Sean Stone, Brian Thompson, Michael Uslan, and Montel Williams among others.

This year’s honorees include novelist and Oscar-winning screenwriter Budd Schulberg who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for Screenplay Writing. Chris Costello, daughter of Hollywood legend Lou Costello, will be accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award for Acting on behalf of her father. Kate Carter, founder of LifeChronicles, a company producing videos for families with health or life crises, will be receiving the Broader Vision Award for Filmmaking Dedicated to the Greater Good.
“This year’s event far exceeds our greatest expectations as a young festival. To have such honored guests and industry veterans in Asbury Park is the culmination of an exceptional Board of Directors and a very hard working group of volunteers” stated Diane Raver, Executive Director/Co-Founder.

This year the festival has increased the number of venues to nine, including the Paramount Theater, 5th Avenue Pavilion, Berkeley Hotel, VFW Post 1333, Mattison Park, Synaxis, The Stephen Crane House, Stone Pony and the Youth Temple in Ocean Grove.

General admission tickets are $10 for each two-hour block of films, and can be purchased in advance on the GFSS web site, www.gsff.org, or any of the venues. An all-regular weekend festival pass will be available for $40. This pass entitles the bearer to all events except the Awards Dinner. A variety of workshops and panel discussions for young people and adults will also be held throughout the weekend.

NEW SCREENPLAY CATEGORY

The GSFF has created a new category for screenplay writers, in association with the New Jersey Screenwriters Network.

“The foundation of any movie is a good script. As the GSFF grows each year, our goals are to add additional categories to embrace all facets of filmmaking. I am very excited to include this new category at our film festival this year. We will also hold staged ‘read through’ of the winning script where professional actors will read the script to a live audience, on Saturday, April 5th, 8:00pm at the Stephen Crane House” Raver said. Kevin Caruso, founder of the New Jersey Screenwriters Network, was instrumental in working with Raver to create this new competition. The winners of the competition will be recognized at the GSFF Black Tie Awards Dinner held on April 6, 2008 at The English Manor in Ocean Township.

A SPECIAL RED CARPET PREMIERE SCREENING & RECEPTION TO BENEFIT THE MONTEL WILLIAMS MS FOUNDATION

The GSFF will host Starline Films’ theatrical documentary, “4CHOSEN,” and talk-show host Montel Williams at a special red carpet premiere screening on Thursday, April 3 at the famed Paramount Theater, 1300 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park, NJ (7 p.m. red carpet arrivals, 8 p.m. screening, reception to follow).

“4CHOSEN” tells the story of four young minority basketball players from New York City who were traveling to North Carolina for a college basketball showcase when they were profiled by two NJ State Troopers and shot 13 times. A powerful team of attorneys led by Johnnie Cochran assisted them as they rebuilt their lives and influenced major law changes. April 23, 2008 marks the 10 year anniversary of this incident. This documentary, produced and directed by actor Jon Doscher and narrated by Montel Williams, features interviews with Reverend Al Sharpton, Peter Neufeld, Barry Schek, and Wynton Marsalis.

Tickets for the special screening and reception are $25 and can be purchased at the event; or on the GSFF web site, www.gsff.org, and at www.starlinefilms.com. A portion of the ticket sales will benefit the Montel Williams MS Foundation, www.montelms.org, and support the 6th Annual Garden State Film Festival.

OPENING NIGHT (APRIL 4)
MOVIES, OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION

An opening ceremony and reception will be held on Friday, April 4 at 6:30 p.m. in the Grand Arcade, followed by a screening of this new independent film “The Flyboys” at The Paramount Theater. This family friendly action adventure film is directed, produced, and co-written by Rocco DeVilliers. Jason DeVilliers and Richard Dutcher also co-wrote The Flyboys script while Dan Urness helped produce the independent film.

AFTER PARTIES.
FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 10:30PM: GRAND ARCADE
(Adjacent to the Paramount Theater)
SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 10:30PM SYNAXSIS (660 Cookman Avenue)

Saturday, April 5:
OPEN TALENT CALL
As in previous years, the 2008 festival will include an open talent call on Saturday, April 5 from 9:00 a.m. – 12 noon where Friendly Faces Management will meet with aspiring actors and models of all ages. Participants should bring two photographers. Admission to the open talent call is free, but a donation of purchasing a film screening ticket is requested.

CELEBRATE NJ KIDS
Noon to 1 p.m.: The Paramount Theater:
Celebrate NJ! will hold an awards event for the 4th Grade School Program honoring Monmouth County students whose work has been selected as part of the statewide “Best of the Best” list at the Garden State Film Festival.

1 to 3 p.m.: The Paramount Theater
Legends Behind The Comic Books: The documentary captures interviews with the surviving legendary artists and writers from The Golden Age of Comic Books (1938-1951) to The Silver Age of Comic Books (1956-1973), who provide compelling insights as the last of the creators who were there at the beginning. The film examines the artistry of these individuals, who helped shape the industry, forging superheroes out of their fertile imaginations. The venerable list includes Stan Lee (co-creator of Spider-Man, The Hulk, The X-Men, The Silver Surfer, Daredevil, and The Fantastic Four), Jerry Robinson (co-creator of The Joker and Robin the Boy Wonder), Joe Simon (co-creator of Captain America, Sandman, Manhunter and the concept known as “romance comics”), Joe Kubert (definitive comic book artist of Hawkman, Sgt. Rock, Tarzan), Murphy Anderson (definitive artist of Buck Rogers, The Spectre, Dr. Fate, Hourman, Starman, and Black Canary) and many more, all now in their 70’s through 90’s.

The film is a project of Montclair-based Stonebridge Productions, LLC. The Executive Producers are Michael Uslan (executive producer of the Batman movie franchise, including Batman Begins), Susan V. Bershad, and David J. Bershad. Chip Cronkite served as Producer and Director.

Dialogues April 4 – 6 at Grand Arcade:
Dialogues is an art installation consisting of nine, 7 X 8 foot free standing screens with over 2,000 inspiring quotations arranged under 18 general topics such as love, success, politics, community, strength and character.

1:30 to 3:30 p.m.: 5th Avenue Pavilion: (The Documentary)
Dialogues explores freedom of expression, the creative process and the healing potential of inherent wisdom. Unfolding like a narrative drama, Dialogue demonstrates how profoundly the unexpected can inspire, why our public spaces are being circumscribed and, in moving interview footage, how the wisdom of the ages revitalizes lives -- all against the backdrop of America's ever-changing landscape.

1:15 to 3:15 p.m.: Berkeley Hotel (Fund-raiser for Monmouth County SPCA)
Weiner Takes All: A Dogumentary takes a journey into the unexplored world of wiener dog racing, home to capacity crowds, healthy dachshunds and rabid owners. 'Wiener' unleashes the truth as it tracks America's fastest weenies on a tour of the professional dachshund racing circuit. Opening with the infamous 2003 Noodles-Pretzel incident, and ending with the 2005 Wiener Nationals, we crisscross the continent to get the inside scoop on what makes these champion dogs and their colorful owners tick. The GSFF is hoping film-goers will bring items needed for shelter animals to this screening. SPCA volunteers will be on hand to accept all donations and to answer questions concerning adoptions. For a complete list of items needed visit. www.monmouthcountyspca.org.

6:30 to 8:30 p.m.: Fifth Avenue Pavilion
Hold On is a quirky comedy about Rose, a spirited, quadriplegic, physicist who goes to extreme measures in her quest for romance. “Hold On” is also an engaging, short film - part romance, part magic realism – and is sprinkled with absurdity and symbolism, adding a touch of spice for the consummate film lover. The film stars Jackie Julio and Doug Olear. Olear is making his first directorial debut in this 21-minute film, featuring music by Bruce Springsteen. Olear is well known for his role in the HBO show “The Wire,” where he is now in his fourth season as FBI Agent, Terry “Fitz” Fitzhugh. He is also a past winner of the Robert Pastorelli Rising Star Award. Similarly, Dominic West, the star of the HBO show “The Wire” is an actor in “Hold On.” He was recently in the hit film "300," “Chicago,” (12 Oscar nominations) “28 Days” opposite Sandra Bullock, “The Mona Lisa Smile” opposite Julia Roberts, and the list goes on. Jackie Julio who has a rare disability, a quadriplegic confined to a wheelchair, co-wrote, co-directed, co-produced and co-starred in this film.




8:15 to 10:15 p.m.: The Paramount Theater
Greetings From The Shore: Staring Paul Sorvino, is a story about a young girl still reeling from the death of her father, while spending one last summer at the Jersey Shore before heading off to college. “Greetings from the Shore” is part memoir, part fairytale. The film was shot in Lavallette, New Jersey, in the same seaside town where the real events occurred to writer Gabrielle Berberich.

7:15 to 8:30 p.m.: Berkeley Hotel
Hearts of Desire is the story of Ashton Jones, an aging singer/songwriter, who can not support his wife and daughter is separated from his family and forced to live in the childhood home and room he grew up in, with his father a Los Alamos physicist. This film captures love, tragedy, and family in a tale of fate, faith, and an exploration of the human soul. Filmmaker Loren Hayes is a Lakewood resident.

1:15 TO 3 P.M.: The Stone Pony (Music Videos)
Music videos will be featured at the legendary Stone Pony. The videos include “Twice is too much,” “Siempre Pude Ver,” “Can You See Us,” “In the Eye of the Beholder,” “Companero,” “I dream in Stereo,” “The Matches” and “A Good Life-the Joe Grushecky Story.”

10 p.m.: The Stone Pony (Live Performance by Joe Grushecky)
Joe Grushecky, has written, recorded and performed with rock legends Bruce Springsteen and Steve Cropper, garnered praise from the likes of Rolling Stone magazine and the Village Voice, helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for various charities, toured the world with his band, the Houserockers, all while doing his day job of teaching some of the most difficult and neglected kids in society. It’s a rock-and-roll story of determination, passion and success ... no matter how it’s measured.
If movie-goers want to see this film and also attend a 10 p.m. live performance at the Stone Pony on Saturday night, the movie and the concert is $25. Ticket price for the concert only is $20.
12-30-2:15 Sunday April 6th The Paramount Theater
“In Sickness and In Health”In 2002, seven couples in the state of New Jersey filed a lawsuit in hopes of legalizing same-sex marriage. “In Sickness and In Health” closely chronicles the journey of three of these couples: Tragically, watching one couple’s heartbreak as their dream dies at the cruel hands of ALS. While Marilyn and Diane never officially took the vow “In Sickness and in Health,” they tragically felt the pain of 'death do us part'.

“Freeheld” (2008 Academy Award short Documentary)
Directed by: Cynthia Wade Detective Lieutenant Laurel Hester spent 25 years investigating tough cases in Ocean County, New Jersey, protecting the rights of victims and putting her life on the line. She had no reason to expect that in the last year of her life, after she was diagnosed with terminal cancer, that her final battle for justice would be for the woman she loved. Public demonstrations at the county courthouse to quiet, tender moments of Laurel and Stacie at home, 'Freeheld' combines tension-filled political drama with personal detail, creating a nuanced study of a grassroots fight for justice.

Sunday, April 6
2:30 to 5 p.m.: The Paramount Theater
Nuremberg: The 60th Anniversary Director’s Cut. In accordance with Holocaust Remembrance Month internationally, 2008 Garden State Film Festival will host the world premiere of Holocaust documentary “Nuremberg: The 60th Anniversary Director’s Cut.”
Screenwriters Budd Schulberg, 94, (Oscar winner for On the Waterfront), one of the greatest American screenwriters, attended the Nuremberg Trials and will be part of the Q&A panel.

*And There Is More*

GSFF 2008 Panel Discussions
Saturday, April 5 12 – 1 p.m.
The Berkeley Hotel 1401 Ocean Ave.
Asbury Park, NJ

“Getting In Front of the Camera”
Join Joe Hunter, former president of Ford Model Men’s Division, and some of his esteemed colleagues as they give insight and advice about breaking into the business. With first hand knowledge on modeling, imaging, advertising and contracts, you won’t want to miss this chance to ask questions from these seasoned veterans if you have aspirations in the acting or modeling arena.

Saturday, April 5 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
The Berkeley Hotel 1401 Ocean Ave.
Asbury Park, NJ

“Writers on Writing”
Join Academy Award-winning writer Budd Schulberg (“On the Waterfront” and “A Star Is Born”) and Stanley Becker, former creative director of Saatchi and Saatchi Advertising, writing legends of the industry, as they discuss what it took to make it big in the business.
Sunday, April 6 1 – 3:30 p.m