Bridgewater Locals To Bring Film Festival To Somerville

SOMERVILLE, NJ — Film has always been a passion for Bridgewater-Raritan High School grads Steven Chiocchi and Kyle Marino. Now the pair is bringing this passion to Somerville with the creation of the "Ville Film Festival."

The pair met in high school and bonded over their love of film. Chiocchi had also previously worked with a film festival in another town.

"I saw what film festivals can do to small down towns," Chiocchi said. "I have been into film since I was a kid, at 14 I had a camera. I got distracted but this is my chance to bring it back. Instead of making movies I am going to bring filmmakers together to be apart of the fabric of the community."

Founders of Cheech’s Own in Somerville, Chiocchi and Marino, then met Barbara Vasconez who helped turn their passion into reality.

Vasconez is a film graduate from New York’s School of Visual Arts and has been involved in various film festivals including Tribeca, Rooftop Films, Hamptons Film Festival, Montclair Film Festival and more.

The group then formed the non-profit organization called "Ville Fest Inc." to help raise money for the upcoming film festival set for Oct. 5. They are hoping the festival will make Somerville a focal point for fine arts and tourism.

The festival is looking to bring 25 independent films for the one-day, all-day festival. Division Street will be shut down and offer food and beverages. Movies will also be sprinkled throughout town to be screened at most major churches or places such as Verve and Project Pub. The idea is to make this an annual event.

On Thursday, Aug. 8 Ville Fest Inc. will host a fundraising gala open to the public at Village Brewing Company to raise money for the festival. The event will include drinks and food and a raffle offering prizes from local businesses.

Tickets for the gala can be purchased online or at the door. For more information about the gala visit http://bit.ly/villefestgala or patrons wishing to donate to the festival can visit http://bit.ly/gogovillefest.

For filmmakers interested in being apart of the festival visit filmfreeway.com/VilleFilmFest.

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