(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Successful Atlantic City real estate developer Bruce Kaye was announced as the Honorary Chair of the 2016 Garden State Film Festival (GSFF). In this role, Mr. Kaye will bring his experience, leadership and knowledge of the local community to help champion the exciting event.  GSFF kicks off the weekend with the glamorous star-studded Fourteenth Anniversary Gala Cocktail Party at the Resorts Hotel and Casino on Friday, April 1 at 6:30pm.

"On behalf of FantaSea Resorts and our amazing staff, I am thrilled to be selected as this year's Honorary Chair of the Garden State Film Festival," said Founder and CEO, Bruce Kaye. "My Organization has always been committed to delivering visitor experiences that are second to none. This festival embodies my view that Atlantic City must never relent in the pursuit of creating and attracting destination activities of excellence and nothing less. I look forward to helping promote this great city through the inspiring and visionary work of all film industry talent that brings these movies to life."

"The Garden State Film Festival is thrilled to bestow the VIP Honorary Chair position to Bruce Kaye," said Executive Director of the festival, Margaret Fontana. "GSFF's mission to bring artistic excellence to Atlantic City perfectly aligns with Mr. Kaye's vision and contributions to the community and we are thrilled to honor him."

Mr. Kaye entered the real estate business in 1966 and has been involved in some of the most successful transactions in commercial real estate during his career.  He is currently the Owner and CEO of FantaSea Resorts company, which includes the Atlantic City properties of the Flagship Resort, The Atlantic Palace Resort and La Sammana. Mr. Kaye's depth of experience and foresight led him to Atlantic City in 1992 to acquire the Absecon Inlet location to build the Flagship Resort, in spite of the surrounding neighborhood suffering from decades of neglect. He took this challenge and created the opportunity to build resort properties that could be purchased by tens of thousands of families. Mr. Kaye successfully brought the concept of vacation ownership to Atlantic City while he worked to rehabilitate "The Inlet" area through redeveloping the area without forcing the relocation of the original inhabitants.

Following the Cocktail Party at GSFF on April 1st, guests will be treated to the exciting first screening of the weekend long event with the comedic drama "Dough" starring Jonathan Pryce. You're not going to want to miss the celebrities, industry professionals, filmmakers from around the world, live entertainment and fellow movie fans that will all be in attendance! Guests can purchase tickets for the entire Gala Evening for $25 at: http://bit.ly/1RLK9lO

In addition to GSFF's Opening Gala event, the weekend includes film screenings, after parties, panel discussions, Q&A sessions, an open casting call and a black-tie awards ceremony are offered to festival attendees. All events are open to the public.  Weekend passes are $45 and provide access to all events except the Black Tie Awards Dinner. Individual screening tickets are $12 and the Awards Dinner is $125.  All can be purchased at www.gsff.org where complete schedule information can be found.

This year the festival will feature 214 films from over 17 countries, host an open talent casting call, hold engaging panel discussions, opening and closing ceremonies and inspire the next generation of filmmakers. Ed Asner will return for his fourth GSFF and other well known celebrities are slated to attend.

The Garden State Film Festival was envisioned by 25-year film industry veteran Diane Raver and the late Hollywood actor Robert Pastorelli in 2002 and launched the following year. Since 2003, thousands of films have made their public premiers, hundreds of thousands of people from around the world have attended; and the total infusion of cash to local businesses since inception exceeds $5 million. Until 2013, it was held in Asbury Park, in and around the Convention Center complex.  In 2014, it relocated to Atlantic City as a major component of DO AC, the marketing campaign to promote arts and culture the city spearheaded by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority.  The GSFF is a 501-c-3 non-profit organization