Fun Kids Film Festival Comes To New Jersey

A unique film festival designed with kids in mind comes to New Jersey. The 1st Annual Just Be You Performing Arts Film & Theater Festival (Just Be You Festival for short) is a youth driven event featuring film screenings and theatrical performances. To be held on Saturday, September 29, 2018; from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

"This is a festival created for children, about children, and showcasing films made by children. Our organization started off with free workshops for kids in Rahway, New Jersey in 2014; and now we are producing our first festival. These are very exciting times for the organization," said Mahogany Reynolds-Clarke, founder/executive director.

More than just a film festival:

The event is more than just a film festival. The festival will kick off with a fun and interactive workshop for young artists. Followed by a symposium panel discussion featuring industry professionals. The event will segway into the debut of Just Be You Performing Arts' "Triple-Threat Talent Competition". This unique contest; created by Reynolds-Clarke, is more than a singing competition. Each contestant must demonstrate strong skills in singing, dancing and acting. Young performing artist from all over the country; as well as, internationally, will be competing live on the main stage.

Just Be You Performing Arts is known for being a champion for children in the arts. With four strong years under their belt as a mentoring organization, their first annual festival will be a celebration of the performing arts, and has something for everyone. The mission of the festival is to bring filmmakers, performing artists, and industry professionals together, to celebrate works that are relevant to today's youth. The intention is to bridge the generational gap by incorporating an inclusive festival that gives both youth and adult filmmakers a voice and a platform.

The film submission process began in February and within a few weeks several hundred films; from all over the world, were submitted by young filmmakers. Submissions also came from adult filmmakers, who created projects with a youth driven focus. The film festival platform, FilmFreeway, was used as the primary submission portal. The festival will screen films from numerous cities in the United States; as well as, international countries, such as: Brazil, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Japan, and the continent of Africa. International films accepted into the festival will have subtitles in English.

Attendees will enjoy films in various categories; such as, animation, live-action, documentary and more.

"The submission criteria was very strict. Instead of showing a random collection of films, each film presentation will have a topic with a focus on kids and the world they live in. We accepted submissions from filmmakers as young as 5 year's old, because even a kindergartner deserves a voice, and has something profound to say. Their youthful point-of-view is inspiring," said Reynolds-Clarke.

Student discount tickets are available for only $15 for kids under the age of 18 year's old. To purchase tickets visit their website: www.justbeyoufestival.com. They are seeking vendors to sell merchandise at the event. Vendor tables are affordable and a great way to support the performing arts. They are also seeking sponsors to support the efforts of the festival with monetary donations, or goods and services. The Brook Arts Center is a historic 600 seat theater located in downtown Bound Brook, New Jersey.

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