Press Releases

Garden State Film Festival and Algonquin Arts Theatre Present A Unique Three-Day Event in Manasquan from January 27-29

EVENT INFORMATION
What:
Kidz Filmz

Dates:
Friday, Jan. 27 through Sunday, Jan. 29
Visit algonquinarts.org/kidzfilmz for screening times.

Location:
Algonquin Arts Theatre
173 Main Street, Manasquan, N.J.

Tickets:
Weekend Pass: $20
Single Screening Tickets: $7 (Adults), $5 (Children)
Workshop Tickets: $5
Purchase by phone: 732-528-9211, online at algonquinarts.org, at the Box Office.

MANASQUAN, NJ � The work of several local filmmakers will be featured during Kidz Filmz at Algonquin Arts Theatre from January 27-29. Filmmakers from Monmouth and Ocean County created, directed or produced 11 of the 38 films selected for the festival.

A joint venture between Algonquin Arts Theatre and the Garden State Film Festival, the festival was created with the mission to provide educational enhancement as well as an outlet for creativity and enrichment through the presentation of films that are the very finest in entertainment for the young and young at heart.

Ryan Hutchins, a Wall native, had three official selections. His films, "Shore Points," "How Katie Howard Found Herself" and "Too Shy," are geared toward children and teenagers � as are all of the festivals entries. Hutchins said he is excited be a part of a new event that will allow him to share films with a local audience.

"There's no doubt that the Jersey Shore has a deep appreciation for the arts," said Hutchins. "Kidz Filmz is a great opportunity for the up-and-coming talent in the area to show what they're working on and potentially network on a local level. You never know who is watching."

Hutchins and other filmmakers in attendance will participate in a Q & A after each session. Learning an audience reaction is as important to an aspiring filmmaker.

"Audience reaction can be extremely important when learning your strengths and weaknesses as a filmmaker," he said. "In my opinion, giving young filmmakers the opportunity to share their work with their own community is the best way to get feedback without the stress or pressure of pleasing an unfamiliar audience."

Among the local films are several entries created at Communications High School. The Saturday, Jan. 28 screening block at 3 p.m. will include films "Inner Peace," "Lefty," "Love Will Tear Us Apart," "Meet and Greet" and "Saturday" from the talented group of CHS students.

"I'm just excited to see what other kids in the Shore area are up to," Hutchins said. "It takes a filmmaker to truly appreciate another filmmaker's work."

Other local entries include "Apolonia" by Jenna A. Bush of Manalapan, "George Washington Vacations in New Jersey" created by students at Toms River Intermediate School, and "Monster Goo" directed by Michael Fromm of Englishtown and produced by Cyd Katz of Manalapan.

Visit algonquinarts.org/kidzfilmz for a full schedule and synopsis of the films.

Screenings begin on Friday, Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. The next day, Saturday, Jan. 28, will include screenings at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. with a feature film presented at 7 p.m. The Sunday, Jan. 29, screenings will include a feature-length documentary at 1 p.m. and a final screening at 3:30 p.m. Awards for the best of the films in multiple categories will be presented after the final screening on Sunday, Jan. 29.

Screening blocks contain films in all categories and average 90 minutes in length. Tickets to each screening cost $7 for adults and $5 for children under 18. A weekend 'All-Access' pass valid at all screenings is available for $20. Tickets and All-Access passes can be purchased in advance online or by calling 732-528-9211.

The two feature-length films included in Kidz Filmz recently earned local recognition. "The Flyboys" (Saturday, 7 p.m.) is an adventure film that garnered the audience choice award for the best film at the Garden State Film Festival. Likewise, the dance documentary "5,6,7,8" (Sunday, 1 p.m.) won Best Family Documentary at the Garden State Film Festival and was directed by New Jersey native Andy Milkis.

A one-hour workshop "A Lesson in Green Screen" will be held on Saturday, Jan. 28, at 11 a.m. The film created during the workshop will be included as part of the next block of films at 1 p.m. The workshop costs $5 and is recommended for ages 8-14.

The festival will also include a school screening on Friday morning that will be attended by local students and include a sampling of the weekend's films.