Health & Fitness
FORT LEE FILM COMMISSION TO RAISE FUNDS FOR FORT LEE HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMY OF THE PERFORMING ARTS AT JULY 1ST BIRTHDAY LUNCHEON FOR FIRST WOMAN DIRECTOR ALICE GUY BLACHE
Birthday luncheon fundraiser for the first woman director in cinema history Alice Guy Blache
The Fort Lee Film Commission is sponsoring a July 1st series of events celebrating the birthday of early cinema pioneer Alice Guy Blache, who built and operated Solax Studio in Bergen County, NJ. Alice Guy Blache, the first woman director in cinema history, made magic at her Fort Lee Solax Studio from 1912 through 1918, producing, directing, and writing hundreds of short and feature length films. Ms. Blache is just one reminder of Bergen County’s rich film history, and more specifically Fort Lee’s role in founding the modern-day film industry.
This year, the Director's Guild of America will formally recognize Alice Guy Blache as a cinema pioneer. This celebration of Alice Guy Blache's life and impressive body of work will raise funds for film projects and educational outreach, helping further her important legacy.
Three events will take place on July 1st, celebrating of Mrs. Blache’s trailblazing and innovative filmmaking:
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11 AM @ Maryrest Cemetery (770 Darlington Ave. Mahwah, NJ)
Birthday commemoration at the gravesite of Alice Guy Blache.
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12:30 PM @ Marcello's Ristorante of Suffern (21 Lafayette Ave. Suffern, NY)
Reception and luncheon. Guest speakers will include Bergen County Executive Kathleen A. Donovan, State Senator Loretta Weinberg, Assemblywoman Joan Voss and Garden State Film Festival Executive Director and 2011 Fort Lee Film Commission Alice Guy Blache Award recipient Diane Raver.
2 PM @ Lafayette Theatre (97 Lafayette Ave. Suffern)
Screening of a short documentary trailer and two short 1913 Solax films directed by Alice Guy Blache, Matrimony's Speed Limit and A House Divided.
Tickets are $35 each and are available through the Fort Lee Film Commission. All funds raised at this birthday celebration will go towards the Fort Lee Film Commission's annual Jersey Filmmakers of Tomorrow Bergen County High School Film Festival and the Fort Lee High School Academy for the Performing Arts. Visit www.fortleefilm.org for further info or call the Film Commission for ticket info at (201) 693-2763.
“Before Hollywood there was Fort Lee—America's first film town.”
