Rutgers To Host 44th Bi-Annual New Jersey Film Festival Online and In Person

The 44th Bi-Annual New Jersey Film Festival kicks off on select Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between Jan. 23 and Feb. 22. Screenings happen both online and at Rutgers University.

Judges sifted through 643 submissions from filmmakers across the globe. They picked 45 finalists. The panel consisted of media professionals, journalists, students, and academics.

Audiences will see 45 films making their New Jersey or Area Premiere. B. F. Skinner Plays Himself tells the story of the psychologist. Arrested at Delaney Hall documents a standoff at an immigrant detention center in Newark that ended with Mayor Ras Baraka’s arrest. Portrait of a Monastery follows Anglican Benedictine monks at Holy Cross Monastery in New York.

Other debuts include 300, ANDA, Don’t Look in the Dark, The Shoshani Riddle, and Sum Function. Tomorrow Morning hails from North Macedonia. Two documentaries from Ukraine—Mama’s Voice and Zinema—chronicle the Russian invasion.

Most films stream via video on demand for 24 hours starting at midnight Eastern time on their show date. Each ticket or pass grants access to both virtual and in-person screenings when both options exist.

Sun Ra: Do The Impossible screens Friday, Jan. 30, at 7:00pm. Christine Turner’s documentary chronicles the jazz musician who produced over 200 albums with the Sun Ra Arkestra.

Several directors, producers, and actors will appear in person. Theodore Kennedy, Louis Cacchione, Trina Bardusco, Liam Abbott, John Decker, Samuel Freeman, and John Pivko will attend.

The 38th anniversary of the United States Super 8 Film & Digital Video Festival runs Feb. 21 and 22. This program showcases 13 official selections from the USA, Canada, and other countries. Competing filmmakers include DT Kofoed, A. Rosalie Chandler, Alan Halls, Momo Cao, and Dan Lopez.

Two free filmmaking workshops happen Sunday, Feb. 1 and Sunday, Feb. 15 at 1:00pm in Voorhees Hall #015. Topics cover The Film Business: Basic Legal and Business Aspects of Motion Picture Production and Distribution and Intro to Filmmaking. Seating is limited. Registration is required at njmac12@gmail.com

Winners get announced via social media after screenings conclude on Feb. 22. Judges will choose winners alongside the Festival Director.

In-person screenings and workshops occur in Voorhees Hall #105 at 71 Hamilton St., New Brunswick, New Jersey. They begin at 1:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. on their show date.

General Admission Tickets cost $15 per program. The Festival All Access Pass runs $120. In-Person Only Student Tickets cost $10 per program.

The Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners provided funding through a grant from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund. The National Endowment for the Arts also contributed grant funding.

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