What to know
Quick Find
What is a Film Festival?
A film festival is a weekend full of current independent films from all over the world. They are made by filmmakers who are passionate about their art and not necessarily for any commercial reason. Many of these films will go on to get distribution, but right now you can see them first, right here with us!
Filmmakers do a Question & Answer session (Q & A) after the screening of each film block. You get to ask all those questions you always wanted the answers to! In addition to the screenings there are workshops, professional panel discussions and even an open talent casting call. (Hey who knows you may be discovered…it’s happened before at GSFF!!)
Join us for lots of great parties where you can get up close to those folks you see on and behind the big screen!
Who Goes to a Film Festival?
Everybody who likes to have fun, see great films, meet celebrities and film industry professionals are invited to attend. GSFF only comes around once a year, so do yourself a favor and get up off the couch and check it out. We promise you will be glad you did!
How Does It Work?
The best way to experience GSFF is to purchase screening tickets for any single screening block. You can even buy a PARKWAY PASS.
The Pass includes:
Access to Meet the Film Makers event; Gala Reception; All film screenings; Panels
The PARKWAY PASS does not include the Black Tie Awards Ceremony.
Get the most out of all the amazing things we have to offer with the PARKWAY PASS! Please check it out in the ticket section.
When you buy a SINGLE SCREENING TICKET, it entitles you to a screening block for just $18.00* (what a bargain) purchased in advance on this site or $20* at the door, for a single screening block.
*Ticket price plus any applicable service and/or venue fees.
For example, you may see a short film (that’s a film that has a running time of less than 40 minutes) combined with a feature length film and a music video all in one screening block for the price of a ticket. After each screening block is a Q & A with the filmmakers represented in that block. This is your chance to ask all those questions you always wanted to know answers to! A complete schedule of titles and their synopsis is available.
Check back for GSFF AT A GLANCE for the entire schedule or Films from A-Z for the specific titles and the ticket link for that block. There are also tickets to all the other weekend events, such as workshops, professional panel discussions and the Black Tie Awards Ceremony (Yes you can go too!).
VIP Etiquette
We are very excited to have many well-known celebrities at this year’s Garden State Film Festival. To see who is coming click HERE. They will be attending screening events, doing interviews, working press lines, attending panel discussions, the Friday Gala Cocktail Reception, the Awards Ceremony and book signings. In short, they’ll be mingling.
It is sure to be a whirlwind and we understand the desire to introduce yourself, communicate your admiration for their work or take photos with them. However, we simply ask that you respect their time and be mindful of any lines or crowds that may be forming around them. Please do not sit in seats reserved for VIP’s.
We certainly want them to feel loved, appreciated and welcomed, but we also want them to be assured that they can ‘mingle’ with their personal space intact. We ask that you respect the VIP’s, be professional in your conduct and wait for an appropriate time to shake hands and then move on.
Anything Else?
The Festival Attracts Thousands of People
It’s quite possible lines will be long so please wear comfortable shoes!
Seats Cannot Be Held
Seating is on a first come, first serve basis. Screenings are general admission only.
It’s always best to buy your tickets online ahead of time!
- Print-at-Home tickets can be purchased up to an hour prior to the screening and all venues sell tickets at the door*
Arrive to the Venues Early
To start the film on time, we must seat as many people as possible in a very short time frame so please enter and exit the theater as quickly and quietly as possible.
Most Of the Venues Are Staffed By Volunteers
Our army of volunteers make the festival possible by donating their time. Please be patient and don’t forget to thank them for their efforts. If YOU or anyone you know would like to be a part of the team we hope you will volunteer by clicking here!
Please Silence Your Cell Phone Once In the Theatre
