The New York City skyline as approaching Jersey City, NJ where the Golden Door International Film Festival takes place annually. Those of us who live close to NYC take this view for granted. Millions all over the world wish to visit here.
Once upon a time, in a city across the river from New York, overlooking the majestic skyline, there was a smashing film festival filled with celebrities, actors, film makers, paparazzi, and glitzy guests from all over the world.
The historic Loew's Jersey City theatre where opening night of the Golden Door International Film Festival took place.
This upscale Jersey City event, in its sixth proud year, was appropriately named the Golden Door International Film Festival, run by the Sorvino family and its board of directors, with Michele Sorvino at the helm. It welcomes all who are interested in movies or work in the film industry, with open arms as attendees. It’s the ‘Golden Door’ to the entertainment industry.
The view overlooking the entryway inside of the historic Loew's Jersey City theater from its second floor, before the opening night events took place. Bartenders and photographers set up.
The Sorvino family. Left to right: Actor (and founder of the Golden Door Film Festival) Bill Sorvino, his wife, and Executive Director of the festival, Michele Sorvino, Bill Sorvino's mother, and father, and Bill and Michele's two children Sofia and Luca up front, on the red carpet the opening night of the festival.
Aside from showcasing hundreds of films from around the globe, the Golden Door Film Festival highlights something that touches so many – autism. Some of the films shown each year have themes that deal with how autism affects the lives of people we all know.
Tito's Handmade Vodka was one of the festival's sponsors. Plenty of vodka themed drinks were on hand and prepared by mixology staff for guests.
This year’s Golden Door Film Festival was sponsored by many community organizations and big brand companies, including Tito’s Handmade Vodka, which provided libations for opening night, as well as red carpet events. The sponsors, generously allow for a four day, first class extravaganza, which may as well be the sister to the Sundance Film Festival, in the North East.
Actor Chris Victor and Laura Madsen (TheLadyinRed) posing for a quick photo on one of the two grand staircases inside the Loew's theatre. Metallic dress by Nicole Miller, manicure by Yess Nails in Raritan, NJ, and shoes by Manolo Blahnik. Dressing to the nines is customary on opening night at GDFF, and at the red carpet events.
Opening night is always a glamorous gala. Stars come out above, as well as below the sparkling city, dressed to the nines, and ready to celebrate the hard work and talent of everyone showcasing their films on the big screens. As I ran tip-toe across the street in heels and a metallic gown to the historic Loew’s Jersey Theatre, a few onlookers couldn’t help but stare and wonder why I was all dressed up among a sea of commuters on their way home from work.
Bill Sorvino poses with one of the glamorous film stars
|
Filmmaker and actress Heather O'Scanlon on the red carpet
|
But if anyone looked just beyond the crosswalk, they could see a line of anxiously awaiting patrons wrapped around the block, all dressed in sparkly gowns and tailored suits who would be checking into the same venue as me, for the beginnings of another Golden Door Film Festival.
New York Giants running back #23 Rashad Jennings on the red carpet at the Golden Door Film Festival.
This year, the festival welcomed athletes from the NY Giants, including running back Rashad Jennings, and celebrity judges such as actor/writer Christian Keiber.
Actor and celebrity judge at the Golden Door Film Festival, Christian Keiber (left) and Director Tom Baldinger (right) attending opening night of GDFF.
RB Rashad Jennings took time sign autographs for fans at the festival.
L to R: Actor (and GDFF founder) Bill Sorvino, NY Giants RB Rashad Jennings, and Celebrity film judge / actor Christian Keiber
NY Giants Rashad Jennings with Actor Bill Sorvino
The Sorvino family on the red carpet.
GDFF guests on opening night
Rashad Jennings autographing digital photos at GDFF
Rashad Jennings being interviewed at GDFF
I had to "tackle" Rashad Jennings for a selfie. Doesn't he take great ones?
Filmmakers / actors Laura Shapanus and Tom Bentey
|
Screenwriter / Director Keith Armonaitis and friend
|
Actor/Filmmaker Joseph Halsey and Actress/Filmmaker Heather O'Scanlon
Laura Madsen (TheLadyinRed) with actor Andy Peeke in the crowd at opening night of GDFF
Actor Christian Keiber and Director Tom Baldinger during an interview at GDFF
The crowd-filled entryway of the Loew's theatre
The festival always has surprises every year, and reinvents itself like Madonna. Friday night was all about Freestyle music as genre icons such as Jill Tirrell and Soave took the stage at Club Transmission after the film Legends of Freestyle was shown.
Executive Director Michele Sorvino with reality TV personality Carole Radziwill (The Real Housewives of New York City) - You never know who will show up at the Golden Door Film Festival!
The "golden" lady, Executive Director of GDFF, Michele Sorvino and her husband, actor Bill Sorvino pose endlessly on the red carpet with guests.
Filmmakers Joe Gawalis and Chris Victor take a moment for a red carpet interview on opening night
Even Bill Sorvino, founder of GDFF, takes time to socialize and sip with guests.
Actor Steve Stanulis (also formerly Kanye West and Kim Kardashian's bodyguard) poses for a photo with his friend, Nicole
Actor Michael Sorvino and I (Laura Madsen) finally get a photo together after previously meeting at prior events
The do-not-miss red carpet event on Saturday night was the screening of Tom Baldinger’s first feature film, “Who’s Jenna…?” where the legendary actress Amber Lynn, who has a cameo in the movie, had flown out from Los Angeles to join fellow cast and crew for an amazing evening.
L to R: Actress Amber Lynn who has a cameo in "Who's Jenna...?" attending the movie's red carpet event along with beau, actor Peter Gaudio, and on right, Kelly Baldinger, CEO of 624 Productions, LLC. (the production company behind the film)
Actors Joseph D’Onofrio (known instantaneously for his roles in A Bronx Tale and Goodfellas) Garry Pastore (Gotham, The Deuce, Rob the Mob) and Bill Sorvino (who is also founder of the festival) all have lead roles in “Who’s Jenna…?” and were also in attendance at this second standing-room-only screening of the romantic comedy surrounding a humorous case of mistaken identity, an obsessed-with-porn geek, all the while delivering an important underlying message about not judging people.
"Who's Jenna...?" hits the red carpet at GDFF. L to R: Director Tom Baldinger, Actors Edwin Guerrero, Bill Sorvino, Joseph D'Onofrio, Amber Lynn, Garry Pastore, Jill Christy Reiss, and Precious Pia [Photo Credit: Patrick Zehr]
Director Tom Baldinger and his wife, Kelly, CEO of 624 Productions, LLC. were there, as well as many other cast and crew to celebrate the evening.
Director Tom Baldinger with wife and 624 Productions, LLC. CEO, Kelly Baldinger on the red carpet at GDFF [Photo Credit: Patrick Zehr]
Actor Bill Sorvino with Comedian Mike Marino at the "Who's Jenna...?" red carpet premiere
The old-style theatre and stage as the crowd begins to file in where "Who's Jenna...?" was screened at the historic Loew's Jersey City theatre
An hour and half after admission to the “Who’s Jenna…?” screening began, people were still pouring in the door. Previously, the film held a sold out screening at the House of Independents in Asbury Park, NJ, and the attendance for this event was on par.
L to R: Actor Edwin Guerrero, Art Director Tristan More, Photographer Patrick Zehr, and in front, actress Manda Madsen on the sidelines of the red carpet at the "Who's Jenna...?" screening
Actor Andy Peeke at the "Who's Jenna...?" screening at GDFF
Author Karynne Summars with actress Laura Faye Lewis opening night of GDFF
Laura Madsen (TheLadyinRed) was "the lady in pink" at the "Who's Jenna...?" red carpet event, next to actor Andy Peeke. Laura's gown by Hermione Couture
Executive Director, Michele Sorvino, with her two children, Sofia and Luca on the opening night of GDFF
Center: Actress / filmmaker Laura Shapanus with friends at GDFF
Even gentlemen showed off their style on the red carpet at GDFF
Throughout Friday, Saturday, and Sunday patrons could select films that they wanted to see at venues throughout Jersey City, where directors, cast, and crew were found, happy to show off their hard work to the public. People walked the streets or jumped on the PATH train to easily access the movies on the menu which stimulated their appetites for viewing as well as afterparties that extended well into the wee hours of the mornings. Sunday culminated with an awards presentation honoring the best of the fest, and no time was wasted as the call for entries is already open for next years’ festivities in September.
Click here for a ‘Golden’ glimpse of the film award nominations and winners.
More photos from the “Who’s Jenna…?” red carpet screening can be found here.
RSS Feed
