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| About the Teaneck International Film Festival |
Like so many other events in Teaneck, the idea of a film festival emerged in Spring 2005 out of discussions among ordinary citizens. With the support of the nonprofit organization Puffin Foundation, a small group of dedicated volunteers set out to create an event that would present a collection of compelling and imaginative feature-length films, documentaries and shorts -- from a variety of cultures; foster cross-cultural connections; honor talented young Bergen County filmmakers; and encourage filmgoers to rediscover Teaneck 's appeal as a shopping and dining destination.
The festival, a project of the Puffin Foundation, was held from Nov. 3-5, 2006 at the Cedar Lane Cinemas and DanceArt Creative Center on Cedar Lane as well as at the Puffin Cultural Forum in Teaneck, N.J. It drew more than 1,200 filmgoers over the course of the weekend, with several sold-out screenings. In April 2007, we presented a special benefit screening of “Sweet Land,” enabling us to offer small scholarships for talented young filmmakers.
The first year's theme centered on the arts. In 2007, from Nov. 2-4, the festival celebrated family and community through the art of film.
The 2007 Teaneck International Film Festival was presented at the Cedar Lane Cinemas, 503 Cedar Lane, Wilson Auditorium at Fairleigh Dickinson University, 1000 River St., Hackensack, Teaneck High School and Puffin Cultural Forum, 20 Puffin Way, Teaneck. “Honeydripper,” a new film written, directed and edited by John Sayles and produced by Maggie Renzi, was its opening night film on Friday, Nov. 2, a New Jersey premiere that followed its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival in September.
The 2008 festival, held during the weekend of Nov. 14 to 16, attracted some 2,000 filmgoers, with several sold-out and nearly-sold-out screenings, including: The Golem, Four Seasons Lodge, The Order of Myths, Before They Die, Kid Flix Mix and, of course, The Winslow Boy and conversation with the wonderful and renowned actor Philip Bosco.
The festival is fortunate to have garnered support and co-sponsorship from a number of civic and business organizations in addition to the Puffin Foundation, including the Teaneck Suburbanite, Holy Name Medical Center, CVS/pharmacy, Bergen County Links, Whole Foods Market of Edgewater, Classic Residence by Hyatt, Temple Emeth, Teaneck PTO/PTA Council, the Teaneck Chamber of Commerce, Teaneck Economic Development Corp., Cedar Lane Business District Merchants, Teaneck Marriott-Glenpointe, Township of Teaneck, Volk-Leber Funeral Home. In 2007 we welcomed new sponsors, including Target, Provident Bank Foundation , Otterstedt Agency, Church of St. Anastasia and Park Ave. Motor Group.
For more about previous seasons see the TIFF Events Gallery. |
| 2011 Advisory Board |
| Gladys Miller Rosenstein |
Executive Director, Puffin Foundation, Ltd. |
| Perry Rosenstein |
President, Puffin Foundation, Ltd. |
| Jacqueline B. Kates |
Former Mayor; Community Relations Coordinator Holy Name Hospital |
| Marsha Mackey |
Arts Committee, Bergen County Links (CD) |
| Steven Brinberg |
Vocalist/Performer; Barbra Streisand Impressionist |
| Jane Ellis |
Vice President, Holy Name Medical Center |
| Steven Gorelick |
Executive Director, NJ Motion Picture & Television
Commission |
| Nelson Page |
Managing Partner, Cedar Lane Cinemas |
| Rabbi Lawrence Zierler |
Jewish Center of Teaneck |
| Bettye Anderson Easley |
Arts and Culture Chair, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Bergen/Passaic Chapter |
| Larry Bauer |
President, Teaneck Chamber of Commerce |
| Nancy Ellson |
Chair, Teaneck Rotary |
| Deborah Witcher Jackson |
President, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Bergen/Passaic Chapter |
| Executive Committee |
| Jeremy Lentz |
Executive Director |
Judy Distler &
Eva Tobias |
Fundraising & Development Directors |
| Stephanie McCaw |
Treasurer |
| Jim Rothenberg |
Public Relations Director |
| Tom Abbott |
Web Director |
| Emily Steinberg |
Volunteer/Administrative Director |
| Lee Long & Addie Wijnen |
Event Planners |
| Evelyn Wolff |
Grant Writing Director |
| Carolyn Komerska |
Program Designer |
| Joan & Paul Sher |
West Coast Film Scouts |
| Amanda Sharp |
U.K. Film Scout |
| Ray Turkin & Nancy Katz |
Official TIFF Photographers |
Carol Devoe &
Theodora Lacey |
Youth Liaison Directors |
| Film Selection Committee |
| Tom Abbott, Jeremy Lentz, Nancy Katz, Pat King, Judy Distler, Fran Schneider, Liz Celotto, Mary Jane Tucker, Eric Alvarado, Jeanette Curtis Rideau |
| Members at Large |
Janet Abbott, David McCaw, Rhona Herman, Howard Rose, Micki Shilan, |
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The Teaneck International Film Festival is 
