Who We Are
Our Story
About GSFF
A 501(c)(3) organization, the Garden State Film Festival (GSFF)—New Jersey’s Premier Independent Film Festival®—is more than just an event. It’s a vital platform for filmmakers, a celebration of cinema from around the world, and a catalyst for artistic and economic growth in our communities.
Each year, GSFF brings together thousands of creative professionals, emerging talent, industry leaders, and passionate film enthusiasts at premier venues in Cranford and Asbury Park. With coverage in Variety, Deadline, and IndieWire, the festival has built a global reputation as a “filmmaker’s festival”—a place where independent voices are heard and future artists are discovered. We also remain deeply committed to serving all members of our community through robust Education Programs that inspire students and emerging creators, Military Support initiatives honoring veterans and active service members, and Senior Engagement programming that welcomes audiences across all generations.
Since 2002
Our Mission
The Garden State Film Festival was founded to promote the art of filmmaking on all levels by showcasing a wide variety of film, video and animated works as well as provide educational programs in the creative arts to the public by industry leaders.
Our Identity
About Our Logo
For those who don’t know our beautiful State of New Jersey, our whimsical logo combines the icon of a film projector with one of the state’s most other recognizable icons, our coveted Jersey Tomatoes. It may be a strange choice to incorporate in our graphics, but it pretty much says a lot about our commitment to contribute to the next crop of brilliant filmmakers here in “The Garden State” and throughout the world. After all, it is here the whole industry has its roots, from Edison’s very first motion picture camera, to the 49 motion picture studios once located in Ft. Lee to the hundreds of award winning films shot in this state every year. In their honor, we celebrate all that is homegrown with a bit of tongue and cheek as a reflection of our personality. We hope you like it and will join our crusade to bring the very best of independent film making to our great state.
Our Family
MEET THE TEAM
Honorary Board Members
- Ed Asner **
- Armand Assante
Sid Bernstein** - Brian Frankish
- Siobhan Fallon Hogan
- Celeste Holm **
- Chance Kelly
- Richard Kind
- Diane Ladd
- Matthew Modine
- Bebe Neuwirth
- Austin Pendleton
- James Van Patten
- **In Memorium
Executive Director
- Lauren Concar Sheehy
Founders
- Robert Pastorelli **
- Diane Raver
Staff
- Kristen Dirato | Director of Operations
CREW
- Tatiana Fiore | Production Coordinator
Michael Livingston | Technology Manager
Taylor Mueller | Social Media Coordinator
Lisa Vasapollo | Assistant Production Coordinator
Christian Bermudez | Technology Assistant
Mike Cassidy | Filmmaker Hospitality
Board of Directors
- Eric Ascalon | Chair
- Heather Brittain | Vice Chair
- Stephanie Clineman | Secretary
- Diane Raver | Treasurer
- David Angstadt Sr.
- Alex Biese
- Daniel Alphonse Boulos
- Ming Chen
- Roy Farfel
- David Holtzman
- Charlene Horne
- Robin Kampf
- Rosealie Rosen *
- Doreen Sayegh
- David Schoner Jr.
- Joseph Sernio
- Brian J. Sheehy Sr.
- *Emeritus