Toms River Filmmakers Selected For Garden State Film Festival

TOMS RIVER – New Jersey’s Premier Independent Film Festival is celebrating its 21st Anniversary March 23 to 26. The internationally recognized Garden State Film Festival (GSFF) celebrates the independent film genre by bringing a carefully curated and enriching selection of original works from locally produced filmmakers as well as from around the world.

Among the selection of over 230 feature length and short films, videos, documentaries, comedies, children’s, thrillers, student films and “Home-Grown” films shot in NJ. The Garden State Film Festival is pleased to announce that the film “Dancing Through the Decades” directed by Toms River resident, Phil Rizzo will screen at this year’s festival.

Dancing Through the Decades will screen on March 25 in the screening block from 2:45 to 4:45 p.m. at Berkeley Hotel, Asbury Park.The film’s subject is: Seniors across Arbor Terrace assisted living communities in NJ strut their stuff and show off their dance moves through the decades of the 20th century. You may contact the filmmaker by emailing them at prizzo32@gmail.com.

professional panels, events, special honors and more,” says Lauren Concar Sheehy, the festival’s Executive Director.

The entire program of this year’s selections will be presented in multiple venues in the Asbury Park area, with special events and screenings each night. A full day of screenings will also be presented at The Cranford Theater in Cranford, NJ on March 25 starting at 10:30 a.m. with the last screening ending at 11 p.m. The film schedule indicates which films have subtitles available for universal-access for the hearing impaired. Free on the website is the GSFF “Cinema for the Ears” series for those with visual impairment. Featured is Daniel Meyer’s epic conclusion to the trilogy Fading Kingdom’s Part Three: The Garden. You can check the schedule at gsff.org for showtimes and to see which films are screening at which venue.

368 Lakehurst Road | Suite 305 Toms River, NJ 08755

732-473-1123

1301 Rte 72 | Ste 305 | Manahawkin, NJ 08050 609-597-9195

211 W Millstream Road Cream Ridge, NJ 08514 609-758-9595 www.OceanPediatricDental.com

In addition, the film Gustav Spicy directed by Toms River resident, Raymond Kleinschmidt will screen at this year’s festival. Gustav Spicy will screen on March 25 in the screening block from 12 to 2 p.m. at Berkeley Hotel, Asbury Park.The film’s subject is: An aspiring chef struggles to craft the perfect recipe for a cooking competition featuring her favorite celebrity chef. You may contact the filmmaker by emailing them at RaymondKleinschmidt@ hotmail.com.

“We are extremely proud to present these two films as a part of our 21st Annual Film Festival, and to share this work with our global audience,” says Lauren Concar Sheehy, the festival’s Executive Director.

“The upcoming 2023 Festival adds a new venue and a return to an in-person only event to experience 237 films from 23 countries over four days in nine venues hosting parties,

Following 2022’s successful event, this year’s 21st Anniversary celebration, will include world premieres, celebrities, industry panels, parties, and networking, along with entertainment for all. Catch the not to be missed panel, Behind the Lens with Ron Vidor, Cinematographer on blockbusters like “Jaws,” “Stand By Me” and “Romancing the Stone” just to name a few on March 25 at 9:30 a.m. in the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel Johnny and June Room.

Founder Diane Raver said, “The GSFF is action-packed and there is something for everyone! Come one, come all, it only happens once a year and we don’t want you to miss it.”

Asbury Park highlights include the famous red-carpet Gala on March 24 at the Asbury Lanes. This event includes a cash bar cocktail reception and light fare with industry professionals, red carpet photos and a film screening staring Ron Perlman (Sons of Anarchy), Oscar nominee Harvey Keitel (Pulp Fiction), Elias Koteas (The Thin Red Line), Joel David Moore (Avatar) and newcomer Emma Ho (Code 8) in the action-drama The Baker. Tickets to this event are limited and are available on the website gsff.org/tickets.

Intermediate East Boys Basketball Wins Red Division

TOMS RIVER – Intermediate East’s boys basketball’s A squad are Red Division champions for the 2022-2023 season. Congratulations, boys!

South Grad Becomes Grammy Winner

TOMS RIVER – During this year’s Grammy Awards, the winner of Best Orchestral Performance went to the New York Youth Symphony for their debut album, “Works by Florence Price, Jessie Montgomery, Valerie Coleman.” Among the performers on that album is Julian Dippolito, High School South Class of 2018. Dippolito is currently finishing his studies in percussion performance at the John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University. He has also recently passed a prescreening, and will be auditioning to continue his studies at the prestigious Juilliard School of Music.

Congratulations, Julian!

The Toms River Times welcomes your special announcements! Engagements, Weddings, Births, Birthday Wishes, etc. Please call 732-657-7344 for more details!

Enhance Your Retirement Lifestyle!

If you are 62 years of age or older and have sufficient home equity, you may be able to:

• Pay off your existing mortgage2

• Pay off bills, loans or other debts

• Access cash for unplanned expenses

• Live in your home and maintain ownership2

• Increase monthly cash flow

• Fund necessary home repairs