13th Annual Ridgewood Guild
International Film Festival
March 8, April 14th, April 16th, April 18th and 25th, 2024
Event Dates:
- An Evening with Oscar: Friday, March 8th, 2024 at Park West Loft
- Variety of shorts and documentaries: Sunday, April 14th, 2024 at the Westwood Library at 49 Park Ave.
- World Film Night: Tuesday, April 16th, 2024 at The Ridgewood Public Library
- The Taste of Things screening: Thursday, April 18th, 2024
- To go along with our French theme, we are offering complimentary food and dessert from Paris Baguette.
- Ridgewood Guild International Film Festival: Thursday, April 25th 2024 at Westwood Theater, 182 Center Ave, Westwood
- The NJ Premiere of The Zombie Wedding. Join the fun and dress like a zombie! Watch out for our dancing zombies before the film begins. Thanks to the HeART in Motion dancers for coming out!
Come meet our celebrity guest, mystery writer, Harlan Coben at the theater on April 25. A special reel of his work will screen followed by a special Q and A session.
Harlan Coben (born c. 1962) is an American writer of mystery novels and thrillers. The plots of his novels often involve the resurfacing of unresolved or misinterpreted events in the past, murders, or fatal accidents and have multiple twists. Nine of his novels have been adapted into Netflix series. Coben has won an Edgar Award, a Shamus Award, and an Anthony Award—the first author to receive all three.[2][3] His books have been translated into 43 languages and sold over 60 million copies.[4]
For further information:
OFFICIAL WEBSITE: RidgewoodGuildFilmFest.comSUBMISSIONS: filmfreeway.com/RidgewoodInternationalFilmFestival
2022 Celebrity Guest
Constantine Maroulis
American Idol Star and Tony Nominated Actor/Singer
Constantine Maroulis was born a scrappy kid in Brooklyn with big pipes, deep pride for his Greek heritage, and a love for the theater and rock n’ roll. It was an upbringing a world away from the showbiz glitz of New York and Los Angeles, yet he would come to penetrate the firmament of stars in those galaxies many times. Constantine’s story took an important turn at a young age when his family moved from Brooklyn to Wyckoff, New Jersey. The city’s manicured lifestyle was a culture shock to Constantine who preferred the more diverse and earthy environs of Brooklyn. He took solace in close family ties, and his family’s eclectic music soundtrack which included goth, classic rock, jazz, Spanish hymns, Greek music, pop, and show tunes. His life would get another jolt when he witnessed his brother’s performance in a high school production of West Side Story. “I remember seeing the scene where he got stabbed in a rumble and came back to life in a dream sequence. That changed me forever,” Constantine recalls.
Constantine channels appreciation for his visibility and success in creativity and writing, recently releasing a new album of original work entitled Until I’m Wanted in the quarantine summer of 2020. Recording Until I’m Wanted was a collaborative effort, with Maroulis calling on relationships he developed over the course of his career
Fortunately, Constantine had been very busy prior to the impact of COVID, and is enjoying the release of several film projects including Dark State, Either Side of Midnight, and 5th Borough. Additionally, Constantine had been very active performing, including several shows with Adler’s Appetite featuring Steven Adler of Guns ‘N Roses fame, Rocktopia, and Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox.
Re-emerging from COVID brought about the launch of WABC’s Constantine Maroulis Show, an exciting entertainment-centric podcast, shared worldwide via the station website. In addition to the radio show, Constantine is returning to the stage with tribute act Foreigner’s Journey, as well as the official Rock of Ages band, and with NJ party outfit, Constantine and The Frequency. Constantine also notably contributes to the zeitgeist of pop culture, as his friendships with celebrities including The Real Housewives of New York, are cannon fodder for the press and paparazzi on an on-going basis.
Constantine first came to prominence as the beloved rock n’ roll underdog on American Idol. He then secured his place in pop culture as a Broadway superstar, best known for his Tony-nominated role in Rock of Ages. Now, for his third act, he begins an invigorating and promising new era with a bevy of intriguing projects, including putting the finishing touches on his most assured and swaggering solo music to date.
“I always knew I was going to do something within the entertainment business. From a young age I told everyone that,” the New Jersey-based performer says. “I always had a plan. The streets of New York were my college. I hustled a ton, pounding the pavement selling clothes, doing real estate, just anything to support my dreams. I was the kid with a mic in one hand and a briefcase in the other.”
Despite his vocal prowess and his magnetic presence onstage, Constantine bounced around the New York music scene through most of his 20s having put in a lot of hard work with little to show. In 2004, an old friend convinced him to try out for American Idol. Before his fateful appearance on the show, Constantine had studied musical theater at Boston Conservatory, spent years in the theater scene, and slogged it out on the thankless NYC rock n’ roll club circuit. At the time of his Idol audition, he was fresh from touring with the musical Rent and out of touch with the popular show, as this was before social media. The rest is history, one Constantine is grateful for. “Basically, my life changed the moment I stepped on the property. I had cameras in my face all the time. It was the right time and I was ready to play,” he recalls.
Constantine Maroulis became a household name through his memorable run as a finalist on the fourth season of American Idol. His charisma, rock n’ roll edge, and astounding vocals entranced the judges, along with the 30 million viewers watching the show at home. His triumphant performances on Idol included some of the show’s most electrifying moments on TV, including his rendition of Queen’s epic “Bohemian Rhapsody”.
Constantine knew after American Idol he had a relatively limited window of opportunity to fortify his career. “I went into survival mode—I knew nothing would be handed to me,” he confides. It was by hustling, flying back and forth between New York and Los Angeles, working 12-hour days, that he began to make headway. A show called Rock of Ages with an unknown cast and unknown creatives came knocking. It had a great program of classic songs and Constantine was instantly drawn in by the concept and signed on. The show enjoyed a highly successful run as one of the highest-grossing Broadway shows of all time, culminating in a myriad of awards and critical acclaim for Constantine including a Tony Award nomination, and firmly establishing him as a world-class performer. Constantine then went on to receive a Drama League Award nomination for the Distinguished Performance Award for Rock of Ages, as well as his work on the show Jekyll and Hyde. “In a way, there are two mes—the guy driving the van and trailer, and the guy onstage in front of millions. I want to be like a great utility player on a baseball team and play every position on the field. That feels honorable,” he says. Constantine’s clout is growing on Broadway, as his name is attached to many upcoming projects both as producer and actor. Recently Constantine served as a producer on the Tony-nominated Broadway revival of Deaf West’s Spring Awakening.
All of this ambition is held in balance by Constantine’s inspiration– his 10-year-old daughter Malena. Life as a single dad is not without its challenges; however, Constantine is firm in his commitment to being present in his daughter’s daily life. Constantine says: “I’m really a regular guy, and my family reminds me of that. There is nothing more important to me than spending time with Malena. Everything is for her and her future.”
2022 Film Festival Schedule
Show Time | Title | Run Time | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Theater #1 | |||
6:00pm | Red Carpet | 01:00:00 | |
7:00pm | T. Damiano, D. Fucito, E. McPherson w/Coucilwoman Pam Perron | 00:15:00 | Introduction |
7:15pm | Driving Her Away | 00:11:01 | Student Undergrad – Maddy Freeman |
Doors | 00:06:50 | Short – Alisa Rasera-Holden | |
Behind The Sky | 00:36:56 | Documentary – Jessie Bonell/Arman Vekas | |
8:10pm | Documentary Panel | 00:30:00 | Panel Discussion |
8:40pm | Atomic Cover-Up | 00:52:09 | Documentary – Greg Mitchell |
9:32pm | Q&A with Greg Mitchell, Director | 00:10:00 | Q&A |
9:42pm | Retirement 2 | 00:16:20 | Short Subject – Joshua M. Thomas |
Libby Show: Lunch with the Ladies | 00:30:00 | Web/New Media – Suzanne Ordas Curry | |
End Time: | 10:30pm | ||
Theater #2 | |||
6:00pm | Red Carpet | 01:00:00 | |
7:10pm | T. Damiano, D. Fucito, E. McPherson w/Coucilwoman Pam Perron | 00:15:00 | Introduction |
7:30pm | Solo | 00:04:40 | Undergrad Student Films – Alice Almiron |
Sonata | 00:03:54 | Student Films – Sam Chuck | |
In Mind | 00:04:53 | Student Films – Yuhyeon Byon | |
Short | 00:04:30 | Student Films – Sam Chuck | |
Change | 00:04:57 | Student Films – Mason Cho | |
Mooby’s Popup | 00:10:48 | Student Films – Sophia Haber Brock | |
Hunter | 00:09:59 | Student Films – Michelle Tang | |
Tomato Soup | 00:05:00 | Student Films – Ella Nova | |
8:20pm | STUDENT AWARD – Elementary, Middle, and High School | 00:10:00 | Awards |
8:30pm | Ghost Story | 00:04:29 | Student Short Subject – Mia Antaramian |
Geistling | 00:28:42 | Short Subject – Alex Bram | |
9:05pm | Dunmore Cemetery Tour | 01:01:00 | Documentary – Luz Cabrales |
10:06pm | Q&A with Luz Cabrales | 00:10:00 | Q&A |
End Time: | 10:16pm |
Show Time | Title | Run Time | Genre |
---|---|---|---|
Theater #1 | |||
6:00pm | Red Carpet | 01:00:00 | |
7:00pm | T. Damiano, D. Fucito, E. McPherson w/Coucilwoman Pam Perron | 00:10:00 | Introduction |
7:10pm | Don’t Know Jack | 00:12:30 | Short Subject – Raymond Nowicki |
April Showers | 00:11:39 | Short Subject – Caytha Jentis | |
Always for the First Time | 00:20:07 | Short Subject – John Coliendo/Victoria Meade | |
Trunk Show | 00:14:00 | Short Subject – Will Chase | |
8:10pm | Q&A with Will Chase | 00:10:00 | Q&A |
8:20pm | Morning Breeze | 00:26:00 | Short Subject – Dom Lampasona |
Hope Your Feel Better | 00:12:53 | Short Subject – Stephanie Ruiz | |
Mislead | 00:17:33 | Short Subject – Steve Perkins | |
Let’s Make Some Dope Sh!t | 00:17:59 | Undergrad Student Doc – Kent Greenfield Ichikawa | |
9:35pm | Q&A with Kent Ichikawa | 00:10:00 | Q&A |
9:45pm | Vagina Musical | 00:13:59 | Int’l UK – Harriet Taylor/Abigail Quinlan |
10:00pm | Q&A with Harriet Taylor | 00:10:00 | Q&A |
10:10pm | A Feast That Never Comes | 00:5:59 | Music Video – Maria Juranic |
Dreamcentered | 00:09:13 | Documentary – Maia Buljeta/Kaija Harrison | |
There Is Exactly Enough Time | 00:02:0 | Int’l Austria – Oskar Salomonowitz | |
End Time: | 10:30pm | ||
Theater #2 | |||
6:00pm | Red Carpet | 01:00:00 | |
7:15pm | T. Damiano, D. Fucito, E. McPherson w/Coucilwoman Pam Perron | 00:10:00 | Introduction |
7:25pm | Yesteryear | 00:09:54 | Short – Joshua M Thomas |
Age of Resiliency | 00:17:02 | short – Chris Trembath | |
342 | 00:13:07 | Short – Laurie Ziel/Jose Manual Fajardo | |
8:05pm | SQ&A with Laurie Ziel | 00:10:00 | Q&A |
8:15pm | Love Forbids You | 00:08:14 | Experimental – Will Rittweger |
8:25pm | It Started with the Heart | 00:22:55 | Documentary – Kenneth Heidt |
8:50pm | Q&A with Christophe Lafontant | 00:15:00 | Q&A |
9:05pm | Vitriol | 00:25:00 | Documentary – Mark Clauburg |
9:30pm | Q&A with Mark Clauburg | 00:10:00 | Q&A |
9:40pm | The Coronation | 00:12:00 | Experimental – Emily Penick |
The Kid | 00:07:09 | Int’-Germany – Rodja Martin Troscher | |
End Time: | 10:00pm | ||
Theater #3 | |||
7:00pm | Canaries in a Cold War | 00:50:00 | Mathias Magnason |
7:50pm | Q&A with Mathias Magnason | 00:10:00 | Q&A |
8:00pm | The Jambies | 02:00:00 | Jamboree filmn |
End Time: | 10:10pm | ||
Musher | 01:15:00 | YOU TUBE ONLY – Feature RGIFF YouTube Channel |
8TH Annual International Film Festival
"Something For Everyone"
RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Lets take a look back at the Ridgewood Guild 8th International Film Festival. This event created an opportunity for film makers to bring their imagination to life and share it with the town of Ridgewood. As Tony said, “There’s something for everyone,” including short films that revolved around cultural standpoints to animated writing tools recreated as fictional characters. This annual event creates excitement for the film makers, their audience, and The Ridgewood Guild. We hope to see you at our 10th annual International Film Festival!