Talking TIFF - Teaneck Film Festival 2012 - The Best Yet!

The Teaneck International Film Festival is back in 2012, and, according to Executive Director Jeremy Lentz and a cadre of hard-working volunteers, it promises to be better than ever.  Forget the trip to Paris - the place to be the weekend of November 9-11 is Bergen County, when, For three incredible days Teaneck is the focus of the film world!  Learn all about it on the website:  www.teaneckfilmfestival.org, sign up for email updates, and plan to come to the movies. 

The TIFF weekend will actually begin Thursday, November 8th, 7 p.m., with a gala Red Carpet and Kick-Off Party at the Glenpointe Marriot.  The price of admission is a $25 donation in advance for an invitation for two (checks to TIFF, c/o The Puffin, 20 Puffin Way, Teaneck NJ 07666) or $18 per person at the door.  Following the Red Carpet - hosted by Sandi Klein and Jay Dow, and including local dignitaries and film folks - there will be Music from the Movies with headliners Vivian Sessoms and Clinton Daniel.  Light refreshments will be served and there will be a cash bar.  Guests are asked to bring non-perishable food items for local food pantries.  

The opening night film (Friday, November 9) is the German masterpiece, Metropolis, restored and with live piano accompaniement by world renowned composer Markus Horn.  The Saturday night centerpiece film is the Harry Belafonte documentary, Sing Your Song, which will be followed by a talkback with Gina Belafonte.

Bob McGrath, of Teaneck and Sesame Street, will be back with Kid Flix Mix on Sunday morning at the Puffin (free for children).  Students 18 and under will also be admitted free to Brother Outsider:  The Life of Bayard Rustin.  Teaneck middle school teachers and filmmakers Michael Miceli and Michael Valentino will present their short film, Damaged Goods, and, through the Teaneck Community Education Center, will conduct a film workshop earlier in the week for high school students.

And there is so much more:  Bollywood comes to Teaneck with the romantic drama, Moments of Happiness, which will include a panel discussion with the director and producers; Hitler's Children is a gripping documentary about the descendents of Nazis; Cloudburst, a feature about two aging lesbians, features Oscar-winning actresses Olympia Dukakis and Brenda Fricker; Crime After Crime, a documentary about the wrongful imprisonment of an abused woman, will be followed by a discussion moderated by State Senator Loretta Weinberg.  And, there are Teaneck folks represented.  In addition to Bob McGrath and the "two Mikes," there is producer/director Steven Fischler, whose production company is represented by two films:  the documentary, Dressing America - Tales from the Garment Center (you don't have to know the "schmatte" business to appreciate it) and 400 Miles to Freedom, the USA/Israel documentary about the escape and settlement in Israel of Ethiopian Jews. Teaneck's own Anthony Laciura (Boardwalk Empire) will be on hand after the screening of the short comedy, Crackers, in which he appears.  Teaneck native Carol DeVoe is co-producer of Mariachi High, a documentary about a champion mariachi ensemble in a South Texas town.  The list goes on. . . and new films will be added as they are confirmed.

Tickets go on sale in October:  $35 for a weekend pass that includes ALL films; $10 for individual tickets to the opening night and centerpiece films; $5 for all other films (in advance); free admission for children/students as indicated.  Check the website - www.teaneckfilmfestival.org for details about ticket sales online and in local stores, venues, and the sponsors who make it possible for us to keep prices low.  Questions?  Want to volunteer?  Please e-mail tiff@teaneckfilmfestival.org; call 201/203-1723.

None of it could happen without the support of businesses and legions of film fans.  A "project of The Puffin Foundation," TIFF's angel from the first day and a major sponsor, thanks go them and to other corporate sponsors:  Benzel Busch Motor Car Corp., Marriott Teaneck at Glenpointe and Pancetta Regional Kitchen and Wine Bar, Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, Kismet Limousine, Teaneck Suburbanite, and World of Wings.  And there is a long list of film sponsors and Main Street sponsors.  Please patronize those who make TIFF possible, and consider a personal donation to insure the continuation of this major cultural happening in Teaneck. 

See you in November!