This year’s Golden Door International Film Festival, held from Sept. 20 to 23 in venues throughout Jersey City, brought out thousands, almost doubling the attendance in the past.
Filmmakers from near and far came to show off their talents and enjoy opening and closing night ceremonies at the historic Landmark Loew’s Theater. Even those who were not stars looked glamorous, dressing up in posh fashions that showed just how hip a place Jersey City has become over the last decade.
The films came from a mix of independent and mainstream artists. They were shown at locations just as diverse: Pope Lecture Hall and the Roy Irving Theater at St. Peter’s University, the historic Central Train Terminal in Liberty State Park, the Beacon Paramount Theater, Jersey City Theater Center’s Merseles Studio, and most recently, White Eagle Hall.
“My Name is Pedro” made its New Jersey debut at the festival on Sept. 22 following a string of awards elsewhere, including the Woodstock Film Festival, the Chicago Latino Film Festival and the Brooklyn Film Festival. It came out on top at Golden Door winning in the documentary category.
The film explores what public education meant to South Bronx Latino maverick educator, Pedro Santana, and what he, in turn, meant to public education when he turned his troubled Bronx Middle School 391 around.
Some of the other winners in various categories were:
Will McFadden won Best Actor in a Feature Film for his role in “Doubting Thomas.”
Dan Reiser won Best Actor in a Short Film for work in “3.5.”
Emmy James won Actress in a Feature Film for “Sarah Q.”
Dan Gregory won Best Supporting Actor in a Feature Film for “Yellow Scare.”
Melora Walters won Best Supporting Actress in a Feature Film for “Doubting Thomas.”
“Yellow Scare” was named Best Comedy.”
“Little Darling” won for Best Editing.
“Benji the Dove” won for Best Local Film.
“Doubting Thomas” won for Best Screenplay.
Best Director of a Feature Film went to Carl Evans for “Criticsized.”
Best Director of a Short Film went to Otoja Abit for “Jitters.”
“3.5” won as Best Concept of a Short.
“You Go To My Head” won for Best Cinematography.
“Chosen” won for “Women in Cinema.”
“Nebula” won for Best Student Film.
“Escappe” won as Best Short Film.
“End of the Day” won in the LGBT category.
Best Narrative Feature Film award went to “Criticsized.”
