The Bickford Theatre Presents the NJ Young Filmmakers Festival

The Bickford Theatre at the Morris Museum is pleased to present the NJ Young Filmmakers Festival on Wednesday, October 17 at 7:30PM.

The festival, now in its 44th year, is a project of the Thomas Edison Media Arts Consortium. It provides young filmmakers, who either live in or attend school in the State of New Jersey, the opportunity to exhibit work and have it evaluated by prominent representatives in the field of media arts. Since its inception, the purpose of the festival has been to recognize, celebrate, and encourage emerging young talent in New Jersey, the state in which Thomas Edison first developed the motion picture.

The program will feature winning selections chosen by a jury including Christopher Corey, Boris Gavrilovic, Louis Libitz, Cali Macchia, and Jane Steuerwald - accomplished filmmakers and media professionals working and teaching in New Jersey. Mr. Corey, Mr. Gavrilovic, and Ms. Macchia are also members of the Thomas A. Edison Media Arts Consortium Advisory Board.

In 2017, a coordinating committee was established to promote the work of New Jersey's student filmmakers, and to further promote exhibition and educational opportunities. Committee members are dedicated New Jersey TEACHERS and professors of film and video production including Chris Corey, Boris Gavrilovic, Jodie Lazarski, Louis Libitz, Howard Libov, Cali Macchia, Stephanie Roberts, Marie Spiegeland, and Jane Steuerwald.

The Film Festival's Executive Director, Jane Steuerwald will be the emcee for the Bickford Theatre program and will introduce winning films from the 2018 entries. The selection includes works such as, Progression - 1st Prize Experimental - Maria Martinez, East Brunswick Tech - School of the Arts; Unaltered - 1st Prize Documentary - Kimberly Hansen, East Brunswick Tech - School of the Arts; Horns - 2nd Prize Animation HS - Lilliam Carpinelli, Lawrence High School; Affliction - 1st Prize University - Dakota Savo, New Jersey City University; beLOW - 2nd Prize Experimental - Grace Hillibrant, Kent Place High School; Sweet-Ish Fish- 1st Prize Narrative HS - Emily Granito, Middletown High School South; Chaussures - 2nd Prize Narrative HS - Jolene Gianone, Middletown High School South; StopRock - 3rd Prize University - Kathleen Cuff, Centenary University; Unburned - 3rd Prize Animation HS - Alex DeRosa, Milburn High School; New York Book - 1st Prize Experimental - Amanda Clark, East Brunswick Tech - School of the Arts; Parallax Dreams - 3rd Prize Experimental - John Tuohy, Red Bank Regional; Missing - 3rd Prize Narrative HS - Michael Smiley, Middletown High School South; Burn City - 2nd Prize Animation HS - John Tuohy, Red Bank Regional; Passionate - 2nd Prize Documentary - Noah Perez, East Brunswick Tech - School of the Arts; Tinker - 1st Prize Animation HS - Maria Dragone, Middletown High School South; Fanatic - 3rd Prize University - Patrick Sammon, New Jersey City University; Keg Warmer - 2nd Prize University - Joseph Saulenas and Timothy Amatulli, William Paterson University.

"The films we receive every year from students across NJ never cease to amaze and delight us. The raw talent of these aspiring young artists is uplifting, fun and inspiring." - Jane Steuerwald, Executive Director, NJ Young Filmmakers' Festival, Black Maria Film Festival, and Global Insights Collection, all Projects of the Thomas A. Edison Media Arts Consortium

Related programming - The Black Maria Film Festival

The Black Maria Film Festival also returns to the Bickford Theatre for screenings of winning short films from 2018 on November 17 at 7:30pm and on May 8, 2019 at 7:30PM with the winners from 2019. Entries to the international juried competition honor the vision of Thomas Edison, New Jersey's most famous inventor and the creator of the motion picture.

This festival focuses on short films which shine a light on issues and struggles within contemporary society by advancing the work of diverse filmmakers from across the US and around the world. These artists often represent an under-served constituency who might not otherwise have the opportunity for live public exhibition nationwide or abroad.

About the Bickford Theatre

Tickets for the Young Filmmaker's Festival are $15 for the General Public; $12 for Museum Members; and $10 for Students (with valid ID). NJ Young Filmmakers award winners are free and will receive 2 complimentary passes. Contact Jane Steuerwald for details at jane@blackmariafilmfestival.org. Tickets may be purchased online at morrismuseum.org, by phone at (973) 971-3706, or in person at the Bickford Theatre Box Office. The Morris Museum's Bickford Theatre is located at 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morristown, NJ, and offers free parking and full accessibility. Box office hours for phone sales are Monday through Friday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Walk-up hours are Tuesday through Friday, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.

About the Morris Museum

Founded in 1913, the Morris Museum is an award-winning, community-based arts and cultural institution serving the public through its exhibitions in the arts, sciences and humanities. The Museum is home to the historic and internationally-significant Murtogh D. Guinness Collection of Mechanical Musical Instruments and Automata. Changing exhibits of contemporary content also explore the Guinness themes of art, sound, and motion. The adjacent Bickford Theatre is the museum's 312-seat performing-arts facility, offering unique programming, often related to the museum's exhibition themes. Continuously serving the public since 1913, the Morris Museum has a proud tradition of innovative educational programs and family events. The first museum in New Jersey to be accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, it has been designated a Major Arts Institution and has received the New Jersey State Council on the Arts' Citation of Excellence, among other awards.

The Morris Museum is a Blue Star Museum, offering free admission to active duty military personnel and their families, from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Location & Hours

The Museum is located at 6 Normandy Heights Road (at the corner of Columbia Turnpike) in Morristown, NJ, and is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 11:00am to 5:00pm and Sunday, 12:00 to 5:00pm. In addition, the Museum is open evenings from 5:00 to 8:00pm on the second and third Thursday of the month. Admission to the Museum is $10 for adults and $7 for children, students and senior citizens. Admission is always free for Museum members. For more information, call (973) 971-3700, or visit http://www.morrismuseum.org