originally published: 04/15/2019



(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center, in association with the Rutgers University Program In Cinema Studies, presents the 24th annual New Jersey International Film Festival Summer 2019. Showcasing new international films, American independent features, animation, experimental and short subjects, and cutting-edge documentaries, the New Jersey International Film Festival Summer 2018 will feature 20 film screenings. The Festival screenings will take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings between June 1-9, 2019 with 5:00pm and/or 7:00pm start times in Voorhees Hall #105/Rutgers University, 71 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Film Premieres: 20 films will have their New Jersey or Area Premiere screenings as part of the New Jersey International Film Festival Summer 2019. Some of these include: Johan Palmgren’s hilarious short documentary The Traffic Separating Device -- about a device that is installed in the middle of Stockholm and wreaks havoc; Barbara Vekarić‘s Aleksi -- a terrific romantic comedy, from Croatia, which tracks a young woman’s “quarter-life” crisis; Aaron Johnson’s touching animated short Hoan Alone: Personal Stories from the Bridge; Raúl Koler and Emiliano Sette’s Anacronte intense animated short from Argentina; and Jordan Rowe’s film The Reservoir, set in New Jersey, is about two young rockers taking a chance with their lives (featuring Jared Gilman, the star of Moonrise Kingdom); and Brian Rose’s When I Last Saw Jesse -- a compelling feature documentary about a mysterious disappearance.

Rafael Marziano’s Little Histories -- a timely feature film is set during the five-day 2002 Venezuelan military coup; two stunning animated shorts from Germany: Carlotta’s Face by Valentin Riedl/Frédéric Schuld and Fuse by Shadi Adib; Nick Mead’s documentary Clarence Clemons: Who Do I Think I Am – about Bruce Springsteen's right-hand man Clarence Clemons; three captivating experimental films: Beast by Natalie Peracchio, Mother by Ewan Gotfryd and Dark Deco by Matt Deblinger; House of Stronzo -- Matthew White‘s funny and charming feature documentary on American Folk Art collector Peter Cecere; Jeanie Bryson’s moving documentary Sing you a Brand New Song: The Words and Music of Coleman Mellett – about the East Brunswick, New Jersey guitarist who died in a plane crash at age 34; Jianhua Yang’s Song For Turbulent Youth – a fascinating feature on the youth culture of contemporary China; and four films by Rutgers University alums and current students Alla Ready, Russell Kohlmann, Brent Leoni, and Ian Lettire.

Special Guest Appearances by Directors, Artists, and Scholars: This summer the festival has over ten confirmed special guest appearances by film directors, artists, actors, and writers to the 2019 New Jersey International Film Festival! All visiting artists will introduce their work and do a Question and Answer session after the screenings. For more information on these special guest appearances see the attached schedule or go to our online site at www.njfilmfest.com. Note: more filmmakers will be appearing but were not able to confirm their attendance at this time. So check our website for updated information.

All the competition films selected were screened by a panel of judges including media professionals, journalists, students, and academics. These judges selected the 20 finalists which will be publicly screened at our Festival. These finalists were selected from over 498 works submitted by filmmakers from around the world. In addition, the judges chose the Prize Winners in conjunction with the Festival Director. Prize winners will be announced after the screenings on Sunday, June 9.

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Sponsors: The New Jersey International Film Festival is funded and sponsored in part by The Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center; The Rutgers University Program in Cinema Studies/School of Arts and Sciences; Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders through a grant provided by New Jersey State Council on the Arts / Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; The Rutgers University Confucius Institute; Rutgers University School of Arts and Sciences Honors Program; Jungle Software; The Rutgers University American Studies Department; Rutgers Global; The Zimmerli Art Museum; Rutgers University Summer Session; The Rutgers University Office of Disability Services; Johnson & Johnson; WCTC/WMGQ; WRSU; The Home News Tribune; The Asbury Park Press; New Brunswick City Market; The Rutgers University Office of Community Affairs; The Rutgers University Digital Classroom Services Office; Design Ideas; Advanced Printing; Steven C. Schechter, Esq.; Share and Harris.