In their introductory album as a new band in the early 1970s, The Jefferson Starship sang a song asking “Are the stars out tonight?” That song could have been the theme of the 2016 edition of The Golden Door International Film Festival held from Sept. 22 to 25 in venues throughout Jersey City.
Filmmakers from near and far came to show off their talents and parade for opening and closing night ceremonies at the historic Landmark Loew’s Theater. Even those who were not stars looked like movie stars, dressing up in posh fashions in a display that showed just how hip a place Jersey City has become over the last decade.
The Golden Door International Film Festival this year was a mix of independent and mainstream film artists whose films were screened at locations that included the Landmark Loews, Beacon Paramount Theatre, and the Rialto-Capital.
Opening night on Sept. 22 featured the world premiere of Chris Robert’s highly-anticipated “Another You,” starring Ksenia Solo, Kris Holden-Ried, and Diego Boneta, which was named as the Best Feature Film at the festival.
“It’s a blast. I’m really have a good time here,” – Sally Deering
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The festival was founded and is run by the Sorvino family – with both Mira Sorvino and Paul Sorvino on the board – in particular actor Bill Sorvino (founder) and wife Michele Sorvino (executive director). In this, filmmakers submitted their work into a number of categories, from feature and short, narrative to music videos, as well as a category that includes local film makers.
This year included a film on Jersey City by former Hudson Reporter writer Ricardo Kaulessar and long-established playwright and magazine feature writer Sally Deering.
This was Kaulessar’s second year with films in the festival. Last year, his film “I’m So Jersey City,” opened the film festival. This year “Dual Sight: Ocean Avenue” and “Peace March 2014,” were shown on the festival’s second day at Saint Peter’s University’s Pope Lecture Hall.
“It’s a blast,” Deering said in describing the festival this year. Her film, “Touch” was featured at the Beacon, a luxury complex that includes The Rialto Theater. “I’m really having a good time here.”
Celebrities that attended the opening included Giants running back Rashad Jennings, a legendary player from the New York Giants,
Reality TV stars Jaclyn Methuen and Jessica Castro from “Marriage at First Sight” took their turn on the carpet. Castro, a receptionist at a law firm in Manhattan, is a former resident of Jersey City who also lived in Hoboken for a while.
The festival named its list of winners at the conclusion of the festival. These included Christie Lynn Smith and John Fortson as best actress and actor in a short film, for “Rated.” Forston also won for Best Concept for that film. “Rated” also won as Best Short Film.”
Steve Monarque won as Best Director of a Short Film for “Simpler Times.”
“Twice Upon a Time,” submitted by Illiana Guilbert, won for Best Local Film. “Coming to Terms,” submitted by David Bertran, won for best student film. “Better Half,” submitted by Michelle Clay, won as Best LGBT Film.
Best Women in Film Award went to Ashley Campbell for “Above Jewels.”
The Light It Up Blue Award for best autism awareness film was awared to John Asher for his film “Po,” a film that also gave Christopher Gorham an award as for Best Actor in a Feature Film.
The James Gandolfini Filmmakers of Tomorrow Award went to Sivan Vigder for “Holiday of Holidays.”
The award for Best Documentary went to Robert Pansini for “We Light the Tradition.”
Kris Holden-Reid won Best Supporting Actress in a Feature Film award for “Another You,” while Richard Kind won Best Supporting Actor in a Feature Film for his work in “Detours,” a film that also gave Tara Westwood the award for Best Actress in a Feature Film
Ryan Gregory Phillips won Best Director of a Feature Film for “Shortwave.”
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.