'The Hunger Games' Producer to Open Film Fest

Updated 12:30 p.m.

The producer of the film The Hunger Games Jon Kilik, comes back to his high school alma mater to open for the Millburn Film Fest on Wednesday, when the eight winning films will be shown.

A 1974 MHS graduate, Kilik’s past credits include Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X, Dead Man Walking, Pleasantville, Babel, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, upcoming The Comedian starring Robert De Niro, and other films that have earned 27 Oscar nominations.

Kilik has nearly 40 films to his credit, from comedies, intense dramas to documentaries. The Hunger Games had the 3rd best U.S. movie debut earning $155 million at the box office its opening weekend.

Eight winning films, selected recently by a panel of judges, will be shown at the Millburn Film Fest Red Carpet Premiere event this Wednesday (April 11) evening at Millburn High School.

The Film Festival, sponsored by the Education Foundation of Millburn - Short Hills, provides an opportunity for the district to showcase Millburn students’ talents in filmmaking their abilities to express powerful messages through short films, said Millburn Middle Principal, Michael Cahill.

“On a bigger scale, it shares with the community how elementary, middle and the high school have embraced the tools of technology to accommodate the way our students use media to communicate and learn in the 21st Century,” he said.

At this year’s film fest, participants will screen Dear Savannah, Human, In Plain Sight, , Look Up, Not Again!, Skyping Ben and Talk to Me. 

Dear Savannah, created by 8^th grader Shannon Peng, is a drama that shows how a young girl has overcome her insecurities and revived her confidence. 

Human is a narrative about learning not to judge yourself and your peers so harshly and was created by 10^th grader Amanda Prager. 

In Plain Sight puts a backwards spin on things and is created by Millburn High School freshman Max Retik and Livingston High School freshman Tyler Corsello.

Julie-O has been selected to be screened at two other festivals and has won first place in the 2011 WHYY Youth Media Awards. The film features 11^th grade cellist Brandon Cho and was created by 11^th graders Jake Oleson and Will Politan. 

Look Up takes you on the journey of a young boy who never gives up on his dream and was created by Jake Oleson and Amanda Prager. 

Not Again! is a comedy created by 6^th grader Ethan Muhlon about a young boy who goes to great lengths to avoid getting in trouble. 

Skyping Ben, created by Millburn High School senior Matthew Taylor, is a thought provoking film featuring an original score composed by 12^th grader Avishek Pramanik.

Talk to Me, a drama created by Jake Oleson, Tara Anglade, and Miranda Kosher, reminds viewers to never take for granted that they will have the opportunity to talk to someone again.

The Ed Foundation and the Academy Award Sponsors HSBC Premier Bank and New York Film Academy have made this fun family event possible.

“It should not be overlooked that the fundraising conducted by the Education Foundation, as well as school PTOs, has had a significant impact on our district's ability to infuse technology and create a culture of learning that is interactive, creative, collaborative and ever-changing.”  MMS Principal Cahill said.

To get tickets online go to https://millburnfilmfest.eventbrite.com. 

Those who can’t make it to the Red Carpet Premiere 7 p.m. on Wednesday at MHS, can also see the films at an encore performance on Wednesday morning, April 18 at 10 a.m. at the Millburn Clearview Cinema.