Burlington Review

Burlington County’s 3rd Annual Juried Short Film Festival concluded last Saturday with the second of two evenings of screenings, and the Burlington County Commissioners announced the nine films selected as this year’s award winners.

The winners were selected by a panel of three judges working in the film industry. Both nights' screenings on Aug. 14 and Aug. 15 drew about 100 attendees.

“Burlington County has become a destination for the arts and the film festival’s success reflects that growth and our County’s support for local artists,” said Burlington County Commissioner Allison Eckel, liaison to the Department of Resource Conservation and Parks. “Congratulations to all the filmmakers who participated this year. Their imagination, talent, and passion shine through their films and is what makes this event such a winner.”

The event was organized by the Burlington County Parks System to provide a showcase for independent filmmakers. A total of 23 films were screened, including the nine award winners. More than 100 films were submitted from across the United States, Europe, and Africa.

Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Dan O’Connell attended both nights’ screenings and spoke about the emerging opportunities for local students to learn about filmmaking and pursue careers in the industry.

Nine of the screened films were from Burlington County filmmakers, including one of the festival’s award winners.

“We’re excited by the emerging opportunities for local students and other filmmakers in Burlington County. This festival was created to give them and other filmmakers a showcase for their work,” O’Connell said. “We’re also excited by the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission’s success bringing more film and television productions to New Jersey. Last year, more than 30 feature films were made in Garden State locations or studios, along with more than four dozen television shows or episodes, and we’re hoping to see more feature films and television shows eventually get made here in Burlington County.”

The Burlington County Bridge Commission’s Department of Economic Development is working with Burlington County municipalities to assist them with becoming certified under the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission’s Film Ready program.

The program educates municipal governments on the basics of motion picture and television production so they can take steps to effectively accommodate on-location filming and market their communities as filming destinations.

In Burlington County, the towns of Burlington City, Florence, Maple Shade, Moorestown, Mount Holly, and Mount Laurel have recently been certified as Film Ready by the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission.

“There’s more than just bragging rights and the chance to cross paths with Hollywood movie stars. Even small film and television productions have huge economic impacts,” O’Connell said. “It’s why the Burlington County Department of Economic Development is working with the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission to not only market the unique locations we have in Burlington County but also to make sure our county, towns, and businesses are ready to accommodate film and television production needs.”

The following films received awards during this year’s Juried Short Film Festival:

Best Narrative Comedy: Ash Wednesday by Grace O’Brien, Boston University.

Best Narrative Drama: At A Glance by Ruud Satijn, Netherlands.

Outstanding Narrative Comedy: Bagged a Good One by Riby Ofelia Garza, Greenhill School in Addison, Texas.

Outstanding Narrative Drama: Memories Withered by Rafael Moura, Marlton.

Best Animation: Art Kids by Renell Jie Test, University of Florida.

Best Documentary: The Fall Guy’s Fight by George Parker, Montclair State University.

Judge’s Choice: For The Love Of The Game by Javy Cortez Jr., Rutgers University.

Judge’s Choice: Lasagna by Joe DeMarchi, The University of Kansas.

Judge’s Choice: Vintage by Mio Hu, UCLA.