Talking TIFF - Teaneck International Film Festival, Past and Present

In the 1939 movie, Babes In Arms, Judy Garland told Mickey Rooney:  "We've gotta have a great show, with a million laughs... and color... and a lot of lights to make it sparkle. And songs - wonderful songs. And after we get the people in that hall, we've gotta start em in laughing right away. Oh, can't you just see it... ?"

Flash forward to 2006 at the Spa at Glenpointe when this Judy said to Ellen Rand, who was on the adjacent treadmill:  "Whaddya’ think about having a film festival in Teaneck?"  With an enthusiastic response from Ellen, who became executive director and got it all going and growing for the next four years, plus tremendous support from the Puffin as well as local businesses and residents, the Teaneck International Film Festival was born.  In the fall of 2006, there was indeed "a great show":  a Red Carpet, celebrities, interviews, lights, and the opening night screening of "Been Rich All My Life" sponsored by the Bergen/Passaic Chapter of the Coalition of 100 Black Women.  There was a talk-back with the director and some of the Silver Belles, women who had met as hoofers during the Harlem Renaissance in the 30's and reunited as a senior dance troupe.  It was uplifting, fun, and fabulous!

Since that first year, TIFF has become a cultural happening in the tri-state area – the biggest, best, and most important film festival north of the GW Bridge!  Jeremy Lentz, who took over as executive director last year, is heading the sixth annual Teaneck International Film Festival, which will be held November 11-13.  The theme, Activism:  Making Change, so perfect for Teaneck and for these turbulent times, is being continued, and films are being selected that will promote discussion and debate, and inspire action.  What else is happening?  Young people are being recruited to provide input and participate; awards are being given (best feature, best documentary, audience favorite); there is a grant from the Bergen County Department of Parks, Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs through the 2011 Bergen County Arts Program / NJ State Council on the Arts; sponsors are signing on; a kick-off party is being planned (to which contributors are invited); and a fabulous weekend of films and special events is being planned.  Check it all out at www.teaneckfilmfestival.org, make a donation, save the dates.  Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney would be pleased, we’re sure.  It may all be a little more serious than what they envisioned, but TIFF will bring people together - to talk, question, debate, and laugh. We are going to have another great show!