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The 15th annual New Jersey International Film Festival Summer 201, showcasing new international films, American independent features, animation, experimental and short subjects, and cutting-edge documentaries, will run from June 4 to June 20 at Rutgers University.

The Festival will feature 41 film screenings and workshops.

All the works selected were screened by a panel of judges including media professionals, journalists, students, and academics. These judges selected the 39 finalists which will be publicly screened at the Festival. These finalists were selected from over 372 works submitted by film and videomakers from around the world. In addition, the judges chose the prize winners who will be announced before the screenings on Sunday, June 20.

Film Premieres:

39 films will have their New Jersey or Area Premiere (Middlesex County) screenings as part of the New Jersey International Film Festival Summer 2010. Some of these include: Jonathan Zelenak's touching feature "Sneakers & Soul" — a New Jersey road movie about friendship and adventure; Dennis Connor's "Breaking Boundaries: The Art of Alex Masket" — a short documentary that chronicles the amazing art of a severely autistic child; Warner's Wada's insightful documentary "Muskrat John: Urban Trapper" which focuses on Ed Moran who traps muskrats in the Jersey Meadowlands; Fred Marx, Director of the acclaimed film "Hoop Dreams", screens his newest documentary "Journey From Zanskar" which looks at amazing efforts to preserve Tibetan Buddhist culture; Peter Miller's illuminating documentary "Jews and Baseball: An American Love Story" which celebrates the contributions of Jewish major leaguers; Brendan McNamee's brilliant, surreal feature "Miles Away"; Christopher Noice's "Eggshellland" which is the story of Ron and Betty Manolio, and their unique 52-year family tradition; Dena Schumacher's docu-drama on the life and career of silent screen legend Mabel Normand. America's first "Queen of Comedy;" Dylan Verrechia's captivating feature "Tierra Madre" which is a portrait on an aging Mexican stripper; Jean Strauss's moving documentary on adoptee rights For the "Life of Me"; Lucy Martens's "Voices From Inside — Israelis Speak" — an eye-opening documentary on the Israeli peace movement; David Gerson's "Ultra Violet for Sixteen Minutes" - short documentary film on Isabelle Collin Dufresne, a.k.a. Ultra Violet, former Andy Warhol "superstar," Douglas Massell's engaging "The Grand Hotel" which focuses on the history of this famous Manhattan structure; Augusta Plamer's "The Hand of Fatima" — a film which tells the story of New York Times music critic Robert Palmer's friendship with a legendary Sufi band called the Master Musicians of Jajouka; Will Bain's hilarious and timely comedy "Lilly's Thorn" which is in the tradition of the films of Frank Capra; Roger Weisberg and Vanessa Roth's great documentary "No Tomorrow" which in investigates the murder of Risa Bejarano; and many other shorts, music videos, student and animated films.

For a schedule and more information visit: http://www.njfilmfest.com/

Special Guest Appearances by Directors, Artists, and Scholars:

There will be over 20 confirmed special guest appearances by film/video directors, artists, actors, and scholars at the 2010 New Jersey International Film Festival.

Visiting directors will introduce their work and do a Question and Answer session after the screenings.

Film/Video Workshops:

The New Jersey Media Arts Center will offer 2 of its most popular workshops this summer including: Screenwriting I and The Film Business.

— ANDY LAGOMARSINO, NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM