New Jersey International Film Festival returns to New Brunswick

Every day, we’re inundated with movie choices on everything from Netflix to YouTube TV.

But the New Jersey International Film Festival, which returns to Rutgers University on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between May 31 and June 9, can do the selecting for you.

The 29th annual festival, produced by Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center in association with the Rutgers University Program in Cinema Studies, is returning for both in-person and online screenings.

A panel of judges, including media professionals, journalists, students and academics, selected the festival’s 35 international films out of 702 entries.

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In-person screenings take place in Rutgers University’s Voorhees Hall #105 at 71 Hamilton St., in New Brunswick beginning at 5 or 7 p.m. on their show date. All films will be available virtually for 24 hours on their show date.

Tickets are $15 per film or $120 for an all-access pass. Purchase tickets at bit.ly/3Qy1fqo. See the festival schedule at bit.ly/3QuIX9t.

Some of the films include Jeffrey Himple’s animated documentary “Shame on You,” which focuses on the debt crisis in America; Mariya Somova’s coming-of-age feature “I Want to Live on Mars”; Anastasia Forde’s documentary “Found: The King of Matsutake Ridge,” which focuses on Philip Manganaro, chef and owner of the Park Place Café in Merchantville; Lynn Lukkas’s girl buddy film “Claire Facing North”; Holly Buechel’s documentary “Fencing for the Edge,” about a New Jersey high school fencing team; as well as short films and experimental films.

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The festival will include guest appearances by film directors, producers and actors like New Jersey filmmakers Holly Buechel, Anastasia Forde, Jonathan Harkel, Jeffrey Himple, Chris Zou, Nicholas Diadato and Michelle Tattenbaum.

Singer-songwriter Marissa Nadler will also perform on Saturday, June 15, at 7 p.m. at the same location as the in-person screenings. Tickets are $25.

Go: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between May 31 and June 9; in-person screenings at Rutgers University’s Voorhees Hall #105, 71 Hamilton St., New Brunswick, beginning at 5 or 7 p.m. on their show date; tickets are $15 per film, or $120 for an all-access pass; 2024newjerseyinternationalfilmfestival.eventive.org.

Staff Reporter Jenna Intersimone: JIntersimone@MyCentralJersey.com