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Teaneck International Film Festival presents a Screening of "A House is Not a Disco"

originally published: 10/23/2024

(TEANECK NJ) -- The Teaneck International Film Festival presents a screening of A House Is Not A Disco on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at Puffin Cultural Form.  The film documents a year in the life of the storied queer beach town (Fire Island) now facing the challenge of rising seas caused by climate change.  The screening begins at 4:30pm.

The film documents a year-in-the-life in the world’s most iconic “homo-normative” community: Fire Island Pines. Situated fifty miles from New York City, this storied queer beach town finds itself in the midst of a renaissance as a new generation of Millennial homeowners reimagine The Pines for a new, more inclusive era. Filmed like a Wiseman movie on magic mushrooms, a large cast of unforgettable eccentrics, activists, drifters and first-timers reflect on the legacy of The Pines while preparing their beloved village for the biggest challenge it has faced since the AIDS crisis: rising seas caused by climate change.

In this vibrant portrait of queer paradise Fire Island Pines, past and present blur as the iconic beach town bands together to celebrate its legacy and redefine itself for a new, inclusive era.

Actor-turned-director Brian J. Smith captures joy and tension of this group, as residents party, try on outfits, and make plans for a big annual party, while they ponder the real-world challenge of environmental impact of rising sea levels, and wonder out loud about the exclusivity of the culture they’ve created. Party energy and insightful observation fuel this fascinating trip to a real-life paradise in transition.

Smith is best known for his role as ‘Will Gorski’ in the Wachowski’s hit Netflix series, "Sense8". He’s been nominated for Tony and Olivier Awards for his work on stage both on Broadway and London’s West End. The film marks Smith's directorial debut.




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The film has a running time of 91 minutes. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door, if still available. Tickets for this and all of the films being presented at the festival are available for purchase online.  The Puffin Cultural Forum is located at 20 Puffin Way in Teaneck, New Jersey.

The Teaneck International Film Festival (TIFF) takes place November 7-14, 2024 across several venues in Teaneck, New Jersey. The festival features  over 25 films, panel discussions, and parties, with filmmakers, actors, elected officials and industry guests  in attendance.

With the support of the nonprofit organization Puffin Foundation, Ltd., a small group of dedicated volunteers set out, more than 20 years ago, to create an event that would present a collection of compelling and imaginative feature-length films, documentaries, and shorts from a variety of cultures that would lead audiences to question, debate, and become caring and involved citizens who recognize the need to institute positive change. TIFF has found its niche on the film festival circuit, and, having been dubbed by the Star-Ledger, “the film festival with a social conscience,” is growing in reputation as well as numbers.




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