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

In a statement to The Associated Press on Monday, Williams confirmed it is no longer pursuing a certificate from the federal agency that would allow it to continue the project.

“While Williams continues to believe in the fundamentals of the Northeast Supply Enhancement project and its ability to provide a cleaner and more affordable alternative to costly heating oil for consumers, at this time, we have decided not to pursue an extension of the certificate,” it said.

It would have included a gas-fired compressor station in Franklin Township, and the installation of more than 23 miles (37 kilometers) of pipeline through the Raritan and Lower New York bays en route to the Rockaway section of Queens in New York City.

Also on Friday, two companies said they remain committed to their proposed project to liquefy natural gas and transport it through Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Delaware River Partners and Bradford County Real Estate Partners told the same agency that they do not intend to cancel a facility in Wyalusing, Pennsylvania, to liquefy natural gas and transport it to an export facility in Gibbstown, New Jersey, by tanker truck instead of by rail as originally proposed. Last September, federal regulators suspended authorization to transport liquefied natural gas by rail.

“The last thing we need is even more dangerous methane gas extracted from Pennsylvania, shipped through our communities by truck, and exported overseas,” said Patrick Grenter, a campaign director with the Sierra Club. “This decision is unnecessary and reckless, and the Sierra Club is prepared to continue fighting this project until it is officially canceled.”

Living in New Jersey, we’ve had to say farewell to so many things that we love. And although we still appreciate living here for all that the state has to offer, who doesn’t miss some of the now defunct places that we used to go to?

But there’s one thing that’s dying in New Jersey that is an absolute travesty. And that is the 24-hour diner.

After all, we are the diner state. We have the most diners of any state in the country. And whether it is the changing culinary landscape, bars closing earlier, or the economy making it difficult to stay open 24 hours, the all-night diner was a true jewel.

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Yes, there still are a couple of holdouts across the state that have managed to keep their 24/7 schedules, but they are but a few of a dying breed.

And there’s nothing like that feeling of being in a diner in the wee hours of the morning, sometimes even leaving as the sun is coming up.

Everyone remembers sitting in a diner, trying to stay up for whatever reason. Maybe trying to sober up. Maybe eating grilled cheese and fries after a night of drinking. Maybe smoking cigarettes and crying about a boyfriend who dumped you.

Possibly the best meal after a movie date was a diner meal. Some of the best times in my teen and young adult life were spent at 3 o’clock in the morning at the Blue Swan Diner on Route 35 in Ocean Township.

Either talking about my latest crush, complaining about my parents being too strict, or just pondering the future with my friends and wondering what it would be like to finally be grown up.

A recent nj.com article decided to take a deep dive into the remaining 16 24-hour diners in New Jersey and rank them. And their number one choice is one that I might’ve named too, The Clinton Station Diner in Clinton. But I have my own favorite from that list, and it’s the Chit Chat Diner.

Both breakfast and brunch are unbeatable and in fact all of the food—breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert is lovingly prepared and above typical “diner” standards.

Plus, its service is great and reflects the warm and friendly atmosphere of its surrounding area. I love that this diner made the list, it’s one of the best.

Opinions expressed in the post above are those of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Judi Franco only.

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