/press release 2024

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New Jersey Independent Film Festival Closes 2024 Edition, Announces Award Winners:

Sunday marked the closing night of the New Jersey Independent Film Festival. The festival, now in its fourth year, once again a brought a four-day showcase of independent cinema from around the world at Cranford Theater. The festival also presented an online section, the OFF ON Selection, which remains available for streaming until 16 June (more info on the website: www.newjerseyfilmfestival.com).

“We are building something very special in this community.” says Festival Host Jenny Subjack Piezas. “Not only are we bringing cutting edge experimental films to our charming suburban community, we are supporting local businesses like the Cranford theater. As the festival grows, we look forward to building more opportunities. We have fostered an environment that is supportive and inclusive for filmmakers to collaborate and showcase their work. We are particularly proud of the internship program. We had some exciting conversations with filmmakers during the talk back as well as welcoming special guests in our town that are making waves in the entertainment industry. Our goal is to preserve the indie vibe and showcase films as the directors intended them to be shown. It’s very exciting, and of course, we have a lot of fun doing it! Join us next year! Spread the word! We have some exciting things coming!”

The New Jersey Independent Film Festival is pleased to share with you today the 2024 award winners. This year's official selection was carefully selected out of more than a thousand submissions from around the globe, with 25 films making it to the final selection. The jury members have chosen to award the following films:

Best Narrative Feature Film: In Her Name (United States) by Sarah Carter    

Best Narrative Short Film: The Fuse (Switzerland) by Kevin Haefelin

Best Documentary Feature Film: The Asbestos City (United States) by Joe DeVito, III

Best Documentary Short Film: Leaving Chouchou (France) by Lucie Demange

Best Animated Film: Golden Sea (France) by Erik Sémashkin

Best Experimental Film: Kiss/Crash (United Kingdom) by Adam Cole

Best LGBTQ+ Film: Our Males and Females (Jordan) by Ahmad Alyaseer

Best Music Video: Wood Dove (United States) by David Jonathan Orr

Best New Jersey Film: The Asbestos City (United States) by Joe DeVito, III

Best Actor (m/f/x): Jorge Gabino in The Fuse (Switzerland) by Kevin Haefelin

Congratulations to all!

Today, a new Call for Entries has been launched on FilmFreeway for the next edition of the New Jersey Independent Film Festival, which will take place June 5-8, 2025. Submit your film now: https://filmfreeway.com/NewJerseyIndependentFilmFestival. (*Local filmmakers can submit for free until the Early Bird Deadline on June 24, 2024!)

See you all next year!