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Monmouth County Film Festivals
Monmouth County is a hotbed of creativity, with Monmouth
Arts and a host of local arts organizations fostering an
environment for innovative artists to thrive. Nowhere is this
more evident than in the county’s wealth of annual local film
festivals.
The Garden State Film Festival, New Jersey’s Premier
Independent Film Festival ®, will be presented both in
person and virtually on March 23–28, 2021. Now in its 19th
year, the nonprofit GSFF is a global destination festival
that stimulates economic growth in New Jersey, promotes
student creativity, makes the arts accessible to underserved
populations and preserves heritage arts. For more information
visit info@gsff.org, or find them on Facebook, Instagram
and Twitter.
The Asbury Park Music & Film Festival, held in the city
by the sea and fabled music destination, is unique in its
exploration and celebration of a single aspect of cinema:
the role of music in film. Each spring, it presents a program
of films, panel discussions with industry VIPs, and of course
unforgettable musical performances. The festival benefits
the underserved children in Asbury Park, one the most
challenged youth communities in the country, by providing
music education, instruments and social connection
opportunities. Visit apmff.org for up-to-date information
on this year’s festival and performances.
Founded in 2008, FilmOneFest is the Jersey Shore’s
preeminent showcase for all forms of short films under two
minutes long. The free, summertime seaside screening takes
place on the third Saturday of July on a giant screen under the
stars at the Atlantic Highlands Marina, on the shores of Sandy
Hook Bay. Produced by the Atlantic Highlands Arts Council,
the festival promotes local and international filmmaking
through the use of new media and technology, educational
activities and screenings, while raising awareness of the arts
and the community of Atlantic Highlands. FilmOneFest 2020
was converted into a virtual event. See the four half-hour
virtual episodes on the organization’s YouTube channel.
This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, July 17. Tune
in to filmonefest.org to submit your short-format film and for
updates on this year’s extravaganza.
After a successful virtual festival in 2020 with an opening night
Drive-In Movie, Indie Street Film Festival will return to Red
Bank September 8–12, offering a diverse program of virtual
screenings, drive-ins, live film, art and music to provide a safe
and inspirational experience for the community.
just as much allure as the beautiful beach, with numerous
festivals, rock concerts and exhibitions, along with many
popular venues for live shows. Many art galleries thrive in
Asbury Park, including Exhibit No. 9, Parlor Gallery, Art629
and the Danny Clinch Transparent Gallery. The captivating
Wooden Walls Project, a series of eye-catching murals
along the Asbury boardwalk, has received international
recognition. The Asbury Park Music Foundation provides
music-based programs, events and resources for young
artists.
Looking for Broadway-quality theatre without Broadway
prices, traffic and parking? Check out the ongoing theatrical
productions throughout the region from the Algonquin
Theatre in Manasquan, Spring Lake Community House &
Theatre and the Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove.
Downtown Freehold is always buzzing with art walks,
seasonal festivals and outdoor programs. This diverse
town is home to the Freehold Borough Arts Council and
Center Playhouse, an intimate, 49-seat community theater.
Monmouth County’s Western Region is also home to the
Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, which hosts
events and exhibits that pay homage to local Jewish culture
and history.
Monmouth County is home to award-winning chorale
and musical groups who stage shows in various venues
throughout the year. Check online for performance calendars
for Monmouth Symphony Orchestra, New Jersey Symphony
Orchestra, New Jersey Youth Symphony Orchestra, New
Jersey Chamber Singers, Arcadian Chorale, Monmouth Civic
Chorus and the award-winning Heart of New Jersey Chorus,
a chapter of Sweet Adelines International. Not to be missed
is Red Bank RiverCenter’s presentation of Symphony in the
Park, a free concert by the NJ Symphony in the town’s iconic
Marine Park on Friday, July 2.
photo courtesy Film One Fest
/www.sparkvisitmonmouth.com
/apmff.org
/filmonefest.org
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