 | |
 Wellmont Theatre during the MFF15 | |
| Location | Montclair, New Jersey, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2012 |
| Most recent | 2024 |
| Festival date | October 18 to October 27, 2024 |
| Language | International |
| Website | montclairfilm |
Montclair Film[1] is anonprofit that organizes the annualMontclair Film Festival (MFF). The festival is held between mid- to late- October inMontclair, New Jersey.[2] The festival showcases new works from American and international filmmakers.[3] Films are programmed based on categories including: Fiction, Non-Fiction, World Cinema, Short, and Student Filmmaking.[4]
Notable advisory board members includeJ.J. Abrams,Jonathan Alter,Stephen Colbert,Abigail Disney,Olympia Dukakis,Chiwetel Ejiofor,Emma Freud,Laura Linney,Jon Stewart,Julie Taymor, andPatrick Wilson.[5]
The film festival was founded byWNET-TV Vice President and General Counsel Bob Feinberg. Feinberg hired festival programmer Thom Powers[6] and director Raphaela Neihausen,[7] and developed theBoard of Directors composed of Montclair residents. The board includes film and media professionals, philanthropists and community leaders.[8]
The festival's inaugural event attracted 5,000 - 7,500 attendees and programmed over 45 films. Notable attendees includedOliver Platt,[9]Kathleen Turner,[10]Olympia Dukakis,[11]Patrick Wilson,Michael Moore and authorJudy Blume. Film featured includedThe Oranges,Your Sister’s Sister,2 Days in New York andRobot and Frank.[12] The MFF won the award for Favorite Film Festival at the 2012 Discover Jersey Arts People's Choice Awards.[3]
The second festival was held across several venues in Montclair and attracted more than 14,000 attendees. It programmed over 80 films and events.[13][14] A favorite film category was established in an effort to provide a platform for established and lesser-known filmmakers from New Jersey.[14][15] Prominent guests includedMichael Moore,Harry Belafonte,Darlene Love,Lake Bell,Ice-T,Alex Gibney and New York Times culture columnistDavid Carr.[citation needed]Films screened included20 Feet From Stardom,The Attack,Blackfish,Frances Ha,The Act of Killing,The Spectacular Now,Dirty Wars,In A World...,The Kings of Summer,Computer Chess,Still Mine,Stories We Tell andValley of Saints.
Notable guests includedMichael Moore,Harry Belafonte,Darlene Love,Lake Bell,Ice-T,Alex Gibney and New York Times culture columnistDavid Carr.[16]
The third festival featured the filmChef, withJon Favreau.[17]
The fourth festival's introductory film wasHello, My Name Is Doris withSally Field. It additionally featuredTime Out of Mind withRichard Gere.[18]
The fifth festival opened withRoger Ross Williams' filmLife, Animated. Following the film, a panel discussion was held with Advisory Board Member Stephen Colbert, members of the Suskind family, film creators, andGilbert Gottfried, who appeared in the film. The festival closed with the filmMiss Sharon Jones!, documenting the story of Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings as Jones fought cancer
The ninth festival's opening film wasNomadland. MFF additionally featuredOne Night in Miami,Ammonite andDerek DelGaudio’sIn & Of Itself. Lee Isaac Chung'sMinari was selected as the virtual centerpiece film.[19] The festival was postponed and held primarily remotely as a result of theCovid-19 pandemic.[20]
On October 20, 2024, Montclair Film announced the full slate for the 2024 Film Festival, that took place from October 18 to 27, 2024. The festival opened withConclave, directed byEdward Berger and closed withThe Piano Lesson, directed byMalcolm Washington.[21][22]
Montclair Film additionally holds educational programs and events for the public.[23] These events are programmed throughout the year. Past events include: the Free Summer Series Under the Stars; the Kidz Shortz Filmmaking Competition and Workshop for youths;[24] free African American Heritage Month screenings; the Underdog Festival atMontclair State University, featuring screenings of Oscar-nominated shorts; the Behind the Screen: Media Career Day for high school and university students;[25] the Festival Poster Competition; networking events for industry insiders and newcomers; a celebrity fundraiser (with Advisory Board Member Stephen Colbert),[26] and an Oscars’ Eve Party.
2019 –Monos, directed byAlejandro Landes
2018 –First Reformed, directed byPaul Schrader
2019 –Honeyland, directed byLjubomir Stefanov andTamara Kotevska
2018 –Hale County This Morning, This Evening, directed byRaMell Ross
2019 –Mossville: When Great Trees Fall, directed byAlexander Glustrom
2018 –Dark Money, directed byKimberly Reed
2019 –Mickey and the Bear, directed byAnnabelle Attanasio
2019 –Mickey and the Bear, directed byAnnabelle Attanasio
2019 –Mossville: When Great Trees Fall, directed byAlexander Glustrom
2018 –American Animals, directed byBart Layton
2024[22]
2024
