4th Annual Rahway International Film Festival Announces Lineup

The Rahway International Film Festival is returning to the UCPAC's Hamilton Stage for the Performing Arts in Rahway, NJ on Friday, October 21, 2016 through Sunday, October 23, 2016.

The annual event, now in its fourth year, boasts:

• "Brunch and Learn" seminars for aspiring and experienced filmmakers,

• Networking Opportunities for ALL

• 12 feature length and 50 short films from all across the globe.

• Audience Q&A Sessions with visiting filmmakers and actors from as far as Germany and the Philippines

The celebration will kick off on Friday, October 21st with a complimentary cocktail hour beginning at 6:30pm. The Opening Night Films will commence at 8pm to be immediately followed by a special Q&A with the attending filmmakers, moderated by local actress and entrepreneur Mahogany Reynolds, founder of "Just Be You Performing Arts", a mentoring and enrichment organization for young aspiring performing artists.

Patria Latin Bistro, located at 169 Main Street in Rahway, will host the Opening Night after-party offering $5 drink specials and a complimentary buffet, included with the evening's ticket price.

Filmmakers are travelling in from across the US as far as California and from overseas to participate in RIFF Q&A sessions. Rainy Kerwin, writer/director/star of the Opening Night Feature "The Wedding Invitation" will be flying in from California. Directors Andrew Saunderson of the short film "Birthday Boy" and Mu Sun, director of short films "City by the Sea" and "Sing for Your Supper" will join us from California as well. Director Ellen Marfil of the Filipino Foreign Feature Film, "Journey to Love (Lakbay 2 Love)" will be making the arduous trip all the way from the Phillippines and actors, Alexandra Grant and Lars Doppler, of the foreign film, "Hear the Silence (Höre die Stille)" will be joining from Germany.

Over the course of the weekend, RIFF will be offering excellent Q&A sessions with these filmmakers and screening 50 short films in addition to 12 amazing feature films. Actors Mahogany Reynolds, Just Be You Performing Arts, and Ron MacCloskey, of Edison TV's "Classic Movies with Ron MAcCloskey" will be offering their talents as moderators along with poet, performer and author, Jai Simone.

All films, with the exception of special presentations, are adjudicated by a team of industry professional and awards will be presented at the Closing Night Party and Awards Ceremony on Sunday, October 23rd at Patria Latin Bistro at 8pm.

SEMINARS:

NJ Filmmaking Tips Straight from the Top: A Lesson from the NJ Film Commissioner

(October 22nd: 11:15am-12:30pm)

On Saturday morning, attendees will be treated to a brunch buffet before a one-hour long filmmaking seminar led by David Schoner of the New Jersey Motion Picture & Television Commission. Mr. Schoner will discuss the secrets and know-how on what it takes to turn script dreams into film reality in the Garden State. With its diversity of locations and proximity to New York and Philadelphia, New Jersey offers a wealth of locations for filming, and Schoner has decades of experience liaising between filmmakers and locales on making cinema dreams come true. Need to blow up your car, close a bridge or somehow recreate the Gulf War? Schoner has helped filmmakers do all of this-and more-in New Jersey. He will discuss the ins and outs of the industry, as well as how location shooting has changed and what aspiring filmmakers can expect as they move forward in their careers.

Casting from Both Sides: Perspective of the Casting Process from both a Casting Director and Director POV.

(October 23rd: 11:15am-12:30pm)

On Sunday morning, attendees will be treated to a brunch buffet before a one-hour long filmmaking seminar led by Debra Markowitz. The seminar will cover the casting process with the point of view of a Director & Casting Director. Here is a short outline:

• Do you need a name for casting your low-budget project?

• How to get a name for casting your low-budget project?

• New SAG rules

• General discussion of the casting process

TICKETS:

Opening Night: $35 (Includes Cocktail Hour and Entry to Opening Night After Party)

Individual Film Block: $12

Senior/Student/Teacher Discount: $10

Filmmaking Seminar: $15

Day Pass: $40

Tickets can be bought at the UCPAC box office, in person or by calling 732-499-8226. Tickets are also available online at http://www.rahwayfilmfest.com.

About Our Director, Gina Marie Rodriguez:

Gina Rodriguez is a New Jersey based writer, actress and producer. Her most recent film, "Frame of Reference" will make its world premier at the Fourth Annual Rahway International Film Festival on October 21st.

She first founded the Rahway International Film Festival as a way to further support the arts in her community, "Film is such an inspirational medium and I hope that we can inspire our audiences to see and feel something new." says Rodriguez. "Our films are bold, entertaining and enlightening. At Rahway International Film Festival, we seek to celebrate our filmmakers as much as we do their art form."

About Our Mission

Our mission is to provide an opportunity for artists worldwide to showcase works that educate, and inspire equality, empathy and awareness through film.

We believe that film can reach the mind and soul in ways nothing else can. For this reason, we present films that strive to promote equality, champion the oppressed and promote open-mindedness.

In keeping with equality, we seek to present an equal ratio of films created by male and female filmmakers from around the world.

About Our Sponsors:

Rahway International Film Festival's platinum sponsors are the Union County Performing Arts Center, Patria Latin Bistro, Just Be You Performing Arts, Wizdom Media, and Hudson River Studios.

Rahway International Film festival is always accepting support. If you are interested in BECOMING a RIFF sponsor, please visit their webpage at www.rahwayfilmfest.com

For More Information

The Fourth Annual Rahway International Film Festival will take place Friday, October 21st, 2016 through Sunday, October 23rd, 2016 at the Hamilton Stage for the Performing Arts in Rahway, NJ.

For the full lineup, more information, and synopses and trailers for each film, please visit www.rahwayfilmfest.com. Connect with Rahway International Film Festival on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for regular updates.

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