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November 2, 2020

 

Now in its 15^th year, the Teaneck International Film Festival, a project of the Puffin Foundation, is going virtual and, according to Executive Director Jeremy Lentz, the benefits are many:  No planes, trains, or automobiles and yet filmgoers can come from all over the country to watch films from the safety and comfort of their own homes.  With features, documentaries, and shorts scheduled one at a time over a two week period – November 12 – 25 – no one will have to race between theatres and everyone will be guaranteed the best seats in the house.  The all-access pass is back, with a price tag of just $35 for admission to all the films and, for those who don’t want to commit to a movie every night, ticket prices are just $5 per film. 

The theme Activism:  Making Change has earned the TIFF accolades as the “film festival with a social conscience.”  The 2020 program will include movies and talkbacks about racism, oppression, the environment, the LGBTQ community, women’s rights, immigration, and the underserved and forgotten whose stories have not been told.  There will, of course, be opportunities for escape and laughter. 

For film descriptions and previews; the schedule; information about talkbacks, guests, and tickets - visit the website:  www.teaneckfilmfestival.org.  Just click the “Buy Tickets” box to be directed to ticket sales on Eventbrite (there is a small service charge on each purchase).  Make your selections, pick up some popcorn, and get ready for two weeks of thought-provoking and engrossing entertainment. 

THS STUDENTS… You do not want to miss this!

 

This year, the Teaneck International Film Festival will host a virtual series for Teaneck High School on Friday, November 13th at 12:30 pm. The topic is Following Their Lead: Youth In Action and spotlights youth-led advocacy groups across the country that are organizing to tackle critical issues. 

 

In addition to offering THS students a virtual screening of the films, participants will have the opportunity to view a video presentation created by THS alumni and current student organizers of the Black Lives Matter Mural, who will talk about the campaign and encourage your participation in upcoming events to make our community a better place.  

 

Following the virtual viewing, students are also invited to participate in a panel discussion that will include members of the Youth In Action organization. 

 

Community service hours will be offered to those who attend and participate in the panel discussion after viewing the films! Click the following link to RSVP for this amazing event.

 

Should you have any questions, feel free to contact Miss Witter in the FORUM via email at [email protected].

 

We look forward to seeing you all there!

November 4, 2020

 

Now in its 15^th year, the Teaneck International Film Festival, a project of the Puffin Foundation, is going virtual and, according to Executive Director Jeremy Lentz, the benefits are many:  No planes, trains, or automobiles and yet filmgoers can come from all over the country to watch films from the safety and comfort of their own homes.  With features, documentaries, and shorts scheduled one at a time over a two-week period, November 12 – 25, no one will have to race between theaters, and everyone will be guaranteed the best seats in the house.  The all-access pass is back, with a price tag of just $35 for admission to all the films and, for those who don’t want to commit to a movie every night, ticket prices are just $5 per film. 

The theme Activism:  Making Change has earned the TIFF accolades as the “film festival with a social conscience.”  The 2020 program will include movies and talkbacks about racism, oppression, the environment, the LGBTQ community, women’s rights, immigration, and the underserved and forgotten whose stories have not been told.  There will, of course, be opportunities for escape and laughter. 

A highlight of this year’s festival is the premiere of the 20-minute short, Generation Lockdown, inspired by an essay written by Caleb Brown when he was a sixth grader and produced by his mother, Florence Mitchell-Brown, a Teaneck PTA mom.  It will be shown Thursday, November 19, at 7:30 p.m. and is sponsored by NJ State Senator Loretta Weinberg and Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.  This powerful film which was shot in the Teaneck Public Schools and features Caleb and many Teaneck students as extras, shows us the terror that is viewed through the eyes of an eleven-year-old boy as he tries to save his friend’s life during an active shooter attack in his school.  At a time when school lockdowns are the subject of debate and the threat of gun violence is always present, it is a call to action to raise awareness for parents, lawmakers, schools, and community leaders to work together to pledge to protect our children from inexplicable violence and commit to prevent future mass shootings in schools. The talkback will be moderated by Dennis Hirschfelder, and will include director Sirad Balducci, Senator Weinberg, Ms. Mitchell-Brown, Caleb Brown, and student representative Laurence Fine of Students Demand Action, Bergen County.

For all film descriptions and previews; the schedule; information about talkbacks, guests, and tickets - visit the website:  www.teaneckfilmfestival.org.  Just click the “Buy Tickets” box to be directed to ticket sales on Eventbrite (there is a small service charge on each purchase).  Make your selections, pick up some popcorn, and get ready for thought-provoking and engrossing entertainment.