Sopranos Creator David Chase, a West Essex alum, will speak about his work at the West Essex High School Film Festival on Friday, May 2 at 7 p.m. at West Essex High School.
The film festival is dedicated to showcasing films made by West Essex High School students and other area high school students. The best films submitted will be shown at the festival and are all 10 minutes or less in length. Awards will be presented in the following categories: best overall film, best drama, best comedy, best documentary and best music video. There will also be a special West Essex Film Award. This award will be for a West Essex student only.
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The festival will feature an evening of films, celebrity speakers, Q&A’s, music and networking. West Essex alum and “Sopranos” creator David Chase is expected to attend, speak about his work and answer audience questions.
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The films featured in the festival have been reviewed by a panel of judges including Emmy-Award Winning Industry professionals and West Essex Faculty. The films will be evaluated on merits of: originality/creativity of story; production value (i.e. quality of lighting, sound, camerawork, editing) and quality of acting. Judges may decline to give an award in a particular category if no entry meets the festival standards or quality. The judges include Randy Rossilli Jr., an Emmy winner and four-time nominee, who will also speak at the event.
Student Council President Greg Contaldi came up with the idea for the festival after attending a summer filmmaking program at The Tisch School of the Arts at New York University and approached High School Principal Gary Suda about starting a festival at West Essex High School. Suda agreed and a date was set.
Tickets for the festival are $5 and are available at wehsfilmfest.brownpapertickets.com. Tickets will also be sold at the door. West Essex High School is located at 65 W. Greenbrook Road, North Caldwell. For more information or questions, please contact wehsfilmfest@gmail.com.
