Rolling Out The Red Carpet for Nine Millburn Movies

The Education Foundation of Millburn-Short Hills is putting students in the spotlight again this year and will be showcasing nine winning films at the Millburn Film Fest.

The Red Carpet Premiere sponsored by The Gonnella Team, Regal Bank, and New York Film Academy will be on Thursday, April 11, 7 p.m. at Millburn High School. There will also be a a daytime encore performance on Thursday, April 18 at 11 a.m. at the Millburn Clearview Cinema. 

Attendees will be treated to a paparazzi entrance as photographers take their photo on the red carpet, view nine short family friendly films Millburn students have created, given a complementary photo to take home, and exit the event to a fanfare. 

This year the film fest will be screening Pack Mule, The Game, Jeff, Whispers in the Attic,Super, A Starry Night, Shadows, Tempus, and Destiny.  

The top two films will be given a New York Film Academy one week scholarship to summer film camp, the top two films will receive a submission fee waiver for the Fall 2013 New Jersey Film Festival held at Rutgers, and the top film will receive a prize provided by Acting with Emily where they choose to either have an opportunity to meet a top film producer for Q&A or master class.

Tickets are available online at www.millburnfilmfest.eventbrite.com

Check out desription of the movies and their directors below:

Millburn High School 10^th grader, Max Retik wrote, edited, and filmed “Pack Mule.”  This film’s comedic approach reminds us sometimes, the best artists need to learn to stop and smell the flowers. 

A fantastic special effect short film, “The Game, ” created by freshman Jasen Aziz, is the story of two gamers playing a video game, when suddenly, the unthinkable happens.  Jasen enlists the help of friends and family members, Sam Karan, Jake Karan, & Mariam Aziz, as the actors for the film.

“Jeff,” a beautiful tribute created by senior Jake Oleson, is a heartfelt film that captures how a son tries to reconnect with his deceased father through the stories of close friends and family.

Through artful use of light & imagery, “Whispers in the Attic” shows a young women spending time in an attic as she reflects on people of her past and connects with them through the art she creates.  Freshman, Hannah Boland directed, edited, and filmed this short film and co-wrote it with Yael Bloom.

"Super" is the story of one boy with an unusual talent. His heart is in the right place, but to be a true hero, is that really enough?  Max Retik teamed up with Tyler Corsello to bring this supernatural tale to the big screen. 

Creator of “A Starry Night,” Brielle Shapiro relates the story of a teenage girl that is fascinated with stars and space and through her research deduces that a shooting star is coming. She spends her time preparing for this rare and exciting event but it's not exactly what she expected. Freshman Brielle’s protagonist of the film is actress/classmate Rachel Rubinstein.

The thought provoking documentary “Shadows” captures the experiences and hardships of those that Hurricane Sandy has greatly affected. Ethan Stupp, a sage 10^th grader, filmed his documentary two to three months following the disaster and focuses on the long term problems and destruction that many victims face as they continue the painful process of rebuilding their homes and lives.

Kai Rapelyea, dancer, performer and MHS student, transforms the energy of a decrepit asylum into a unique rhythmic expression. Using only the tempo of the environment, Kai's movements render him one with this timeless monument in the film “Tempus.”  Jake Oleson created this electrifying short and was assisted by classmate Owen Schumacher.

The Millburn Boys Varsity Soccer team was unlike any other as chronicled in the film “Destiny.” Their friendship and trust propelled them to play beyond everyone's expectations. In countless games they overcame adversity to win in the last seconds of play. Filmmaker Will Politian takes us on their journey.

The selection of films for viewing is superb thanks to this years judging panel:  Joe Kernan, Tim Drucker, Sara Louise Lazarus, Nancy Dries, Trish Gonnella Russo, and The Millburn-Short Hills Arts Advisory Committee.