From Broadway World

The globally recognized Garden State Film Festival (GSFF) has just announced that they have just been named the winner of the Global Excellence Awards 2017 – Best Independent Film Festival -East Coast by TMT News. The winners are selected by UK based TMT News based purely on the comprehensive analysis and qualitative and quantitative research undertaken with the purpose of rewarding and promoting talent on a truly global platform.

As one of the most important global voices, TMT News uses merit to choose the very best and to award those organizations that are succeeding in their endeavors, innovating, growing and improving, and making a difference in their business field.

This high honor validates the strong global showcasing that the GSFF offers each year to film makers and fans alike. Founder Diane Raver states, “We are truly thrilled for this recognition and are especially proud of the international successes we’ve been involved with. Over the years, we have had many international success stories. For instance Fokke Baarssen met actor Garry Pastore and went onto make DESTRESSED which won a Panavison package as winner of the GSFF Audience Choice Award. Rajiv Terwadkar from South Africa entered FREE STATE and won the International Feature award. We are also proud that our festival has inspired others to start their own events, for example, Badir Awe of the Cayman Islands attended the GSFF and was so impressed with our philosophy of fellowship that he went on to start the Poincianna Festival, now held yearly in the Cayman Islands. These are just a very few and I know this year will bring even more great stories. We eagerly accept international submissions to share with our attendees who really look forward to seeing globally produced works.”

Now in its 16th year, the Garden State Film Festival (GSFF) reminds everyone that their Call For Entries is open through December 1 and is currently seeking films, in all genres, as well as screenplays, and original movie music. Details for submissions and entry forms and instructions are available on the GSFF website, www.gsff.org.

Executive Director Lauren Concar continues “The GSFF celebrates the independent film genre in a dynamic forum where local and global independent filmmakers can exhibit their work to a curious and attentive audience, and most importantly network and make the connections with industry professionals that are essential to emerging careers and projects. We are present in our industry, attending festivals, doing outreaches, etc. throughout the year. Members of the film community know that their calls or emails will be answered all year long, not just near the festival. Our staff is comprised of artists, arts lovers, and open-minded curious people. There are very few places or events as welcoming and respectful as this group.”

The 16th Garden State Film Festival, will be held March 22-25, 2018 in Asbury Park, NJ. Each year it attracts record crowds, many big names within the industry, including the festival’s biggest supporter Ed Asner and hundreds of industry professionals, actors, producers, financiers, sponsors, fans as well as an active global community of film makers, producers, composers, and actors.

Thousands of films have made their public premiers at the festival and it has also brought over $5 million to the state of New Jersey in economic vitality.

For more information, visit www.gsff.org.

For more on this story go to: https://www.broadwayworld.com/new-jersey/article/Garden-State-Film-Festival-Named-Winner-of-Global-Excellence-Award-20171003