NJ Film Festival to Begin Sept. 13

The 31st annual New Jersey Film Festival is scheduled to showcase over 60 films between Sept. 13 and Nov. 2.

Organized by the Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center and the Cinema Studies Program at Rutgers University, the festival features a mix of classic, short, experimental and foreign films, as well as documentaries panels, director visits and special promotions.

"All the works that we are screening, with the exception of three programs, are part of the New Jersey Film Festival competition and were selected by a panel of judges including media professionals, journalists, students, and academics," said festival organizer Al Nigrin in a press release about the event. 

21 finalists were selected from 223 submissions the release said, with the top winners receiving over $5,000 in prizes.

The winners will be announced on Oct. 7.

Festival highlights include a screening of the recently restored 1923 film "A Trip to the Moon" by Georges Melies, the new film "Barrymore" which documents the life of actor John Barrymore, and appearances from several directors and actors appearing in films being screened.

Additionally, some nights will feature promotions, including free food from on Sept. 14 and 15, 21 and 23, and 28 and 29; free movie posters for the first 30 attendees on Oct. 5 and 7; and free screenings on Oct. 26 through Oct. 28 and on Nov. 2.

For a complete schedule of screenings and events during the NJ Film Festival, visit www.njfilmfest.com.

Editor's Note: Festival organizer and Rutgers University professor Al Nigrin is actively blogging about the film festival. His blog can be found .

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