(ASBURY PARK, NJ) --The Garden State Film Festival (GSFF) has announced that its annual “Call for Entries” is open now through December 1, 2018. The festival, New Jersey’s largest and most respected film festival, accepts all film genres from documentaries, animation, children's, narrative, trailers, Web Series/ New Media, and short films, as well as music videos, commercials, trailers, music competition, and student projects. Additionally, submissions are also being accepted for film scoring and music, as well as the “Home Grown” category, which includes offerings of which 75 percent or more has been shot in New Jersey. Complete details for submissions and the requirements for consideration can be found on the GSFF web site at www.gsff.org.  

The GSFF also is accepting recommendations of candidates for the Rising Star award, an honor bestowed annually to one up-and-coming actor, regardless of age or union affiliation. Eligible candidates must have an undeniable passion for the art form and have made inroads to the industry through hard work and determination. The deciding committee will be looking for a progression of work with experiences in theater, commercials, television, and film. Submissions of website or reel are being accepted now through December 1, 2018.

The Garden State Film Festival returned home to Asbury Park last year and is thrilled to be celebrating its 17th anniversary in 2019. In 2018, the festival featured 246 films from 22 countries, an open talent casting call, panel discussions, and opening and closing ceremonies with multiple appearances by celebrities and honorees, including Honorary Chair Brian Cheripka, Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient Xander Berkeley, Beacon Award Recipient Christopher Lloyd, MVP Armand Assante, Broader Vision Award Recipient Angelight Films, Rising Star Award Recipient Ellie Lee and Educator of the Year Christopher Corey.

A panel of professional judges will review all the submissions and select the winning entries in a number of categories including the best Feature Length, Short, Documentary (short and feature length), Animation (short and feature length), Music Video, PSA, Commercial and Trailers. The Audience Choice Award will be selected using an innovative new state-of-the-art technology for smart phones called CineBallot, designed by and launched last year at GSFF.

Additionally, the GSFF was the first festival to create a category to recognize the musical compositions and music’s role in the cinematic arts. It continues to recognize composers, artists and producers of scores, soundtracks and theme songs judged solely on their own merit. Producers may submit their works, regardless of whether the film has been submitted or accepted. 

Winners of the GSFF Movie Music Track Competition will be recognized at the exclusive GSFF Black Tie Awards Dinner to be held on March 31, 2019 at The Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel. Information about the Movie Music Track Competition is also on the web site at www.gsff.org.

Scripts are also being accepted for the Garden State Screenplay Competition. Excerpts from the winning screenplay will be read by professional actors at the festival, and recognized at the Awards Dinner. Screenplays should be submitted by December 1, 2018 to: www.gsff.org/2019-call-for-entries/