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Laugh Out Loud: A Must-See Collection of Hilarious Shorts!
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Whether you’re into offbeat humor, witty storytelling, or laugh-out-loud moments, this block of comedic shorts is sure to keep you entertained!
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Jay ZellmanWriter, Director
& Producer
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Jay Zellman, a Queens native, made his directorial debut in 2018 with Ranting & Raving, a 22-minute pilot that quickly garnered critical acclaim. The project earned him Best Director honors at both the East Hampton TV Festival and the New York City TV Festival, while also securing Best Comedy awards at prestigious events including the Jersey Shore, Portland, Austin, Houston, and East Hampton Comedy Film Festivals.
"Through All Inclusive, I hope viewers can laugh, but also reflect on the ways identity shapes our experiences and perceptions, often in ways we don't immediately recognize."
- Jay Zellman
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Watch the Trailer for All Inclusive:
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Pascale Behrman
Writer & Director
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Pascale Behrman is a Toronto-based performer with experience in theatre, film, television, and national commercials. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Queen's University, double majoring in Drama and Philosophy, and graduated from the Performance Conservatory at George Brown Theatre School. A certified actor combatant and Second City alumna, Pascale continues to engage with audiences through her social media presence @pascalelise.
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Jillian Lozano is an aspiring screenwriter and film enthusiast from Springfield, NJ. A summa cum laude graduate of Rutgers University with a degree in Psychology, she also holds a certificate in Television Writing from UCLA Extension’s Writer’s Program. In addition to her writing pursuits, Jillian runs a small business in New Jersey. Her work delves into personal experiences, transforming challenges like cultural identity struggles, mental health and imposter syndrome into powerful narratives.
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Dwight Morrison Williams Jr., also known as DJ Williams, is a certified professional with expertise in video, film, television, and radio production. After attending film school in Los Angeles, California, DJ further honed his skills across various states in North America. He specializes in TV, radio, and film production, program development, and faith-based entertainment.
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Burns Burns
Writer & Director
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Burns Burns, a New Jersey native and graduate of East Carolina University in North Carolina, is a versatile American production designer and actor. In addition to his work in film, he is a skilled painter, chef, and prop maker, specializing in a wide array of visual concept designs. As the middle child in a family of four, with two older siblings and two younger, Burns founded Wooden Dice, a production company dedicated to creating low-budget horror films in-house.
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Watch the Trailer for Trust Me Bro:
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Emily Draper
Writer & Director
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Emily Draper is a queer, Brooklyn-based filmmaker with expertise in comedy and commercial work. As a writer, she crafts nuanced characters who navigate the complexities of actions they struggle to understand. As a director, she creates distinctive worlds that combine elements of femininity, nostalgia, and darkness.
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Watch the Trailer for Sorority Court:
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MEET ME UNDER THE BLEACHERS
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Sophie Aguila
Writer & Director
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Sophie Aguila is a Los Angeles-based director specializing in film production, with a deep passion for blending realism and fantasy to infuse her work with a touch of magic. Through her storytelling, she focuses on creating empowered, multi-dimensional female characters and exploring universal themes of art and humanity. A graduate of Temple University’s Film and Media Arts BFA program in Spring 2024, Sophie eagerly anticipates the festival premiere of her senior thesis film, Meet Me Under the Bleachers.
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DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
"This short film was created to tell a story about coming-of-age as a young woman and as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and the bumpy road that a person can face as they grow into their identity. I hope for it to resonate with any young adults who struggle or have struggled with insecurities, to encourage confidence in their uniqueness, and to promote the happy ending we all deserve!"
- Sophie Aguila
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Watch the Trailer for Meet Me Under The Bleachers:
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Stephen Steelman
Director
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Stephen Steelman is a Los Angeles-based director with an MFA from the American Film Institute. His thesis film, What If We Could Stay, stars Jillian Bell, and his horror short Juiced premiered at SCREAMFEST 2021. With over a decade of experience directing music videos for artists like Kacey Musgraves, Galantis, and System of a Down, Stephen has also explored new technologies, including directing the VR short Racing for Pinks and LED volume performances for artists at XR Studios. Outside of filmmaking, he enjoys spending time with family, watching the Dodgers, and snowboarding.
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Sasha Das began his filmmaking journey in 2014 and has since written, produced, and directed several short films and comedy sketches. He views filmmaking as a functional tool for social survival and, at its best, a means of spiritual transcendence.
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DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
"I believe our human experience centers in connection.
What If We Could Stay is about our search for meaning, and finding it
in how our lives can benefit others.
- Stephen Steelman
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What If We Could Stay, IMDb
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PORTLAND IS THE NEW PORTLAND
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Siobhan Fallon Hogan is a versatile actress with over 25 years of experience, known for roles in Men In Black, Forrest Gump, SNL, Seinfeld, and Holes. She has appeared in films like Dancer in the Dark, Dogville, and Funny Games, and recently starred in the Sundance hit Eileen, earning praise from Vanity Fair. Other credits include The Professor with Johnny Depp, What We Do in The Shadows on FX, and Clifford the Big Red Dog. Fallon Hogan wrote, produced, and starred in Rushed & Shelter in Solitude, which are streaming on multple platforms. Shelter in Solitude is her second movie as a triple threat through her family company, Emerald Caz Productions, the first being 2021's Rushed.
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Creed Bratton, a versatile actor and musician, began his career in the 1960s as a member of The Grass Roots, appearing on TV and in the film With Six You Get Egg Roll. After leaving the band, he released six solo albums and pursued acting, with roles in Terri, Mask, and Heart Like a Wheel. He became widely known for his role on The Office, parodying his life as a former rock star. Bratton has also worked behind the scenes in various film and TV roles and continues to perform solo in clubs.
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Matthew Danger Lippman is a Brooklyn-based musician and actor originally from Buffalo, NY. He has toured across the U.S. and Canada, blending insightful and eccentric lyrics with performance art and storytelling. As an actor, Matthew has appeared in several feature films, including Samantha Rose (2021), Hannah Ha Ha (2022), and his own short film Ain't No Cure For Love: America (2022). His music was also featured in the 2023 film Mutt.
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Meet the Director: Chris Scamurra
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Chris Scamurra is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker and producer. He previously managed production at Black Valley Films, founded by Academy Award nominee Scott Hamilton Kennedy, where he co-produced the 2023 documentary Shot in the Arm alongside astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. Currently, Chris serves as the director of photography for a documentary on NFL running back Saquon Barkley, produced by Martin Scorsese. He is also producing documentaries on homelessness in Los Angeles and silent film restoration with the Library of Congress. Additionally, Chris is a drummer.
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Watch the Trailer for Portland Is The New Portland:
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Nicholas Gray
Writer & Director
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Nicholas Gray is a writer, director, and producer with experience in film, TV, and audio. Recently, he produced the award-winning Once Again, directed by Boaz Yakin. His other notable credits include The Paper Store (starring Penn Badgley and Richard Kind), Last Fair Deal (with Mack Wilds and Clarke Peters), Ambition's Debt (featuring Nathan Darrow and Kathleen Chalfant), If You Could Say It In Words (starring Marin Ireland), and All The Little Things We Kill (with Elizabeth Marvel and Danielle Brooks). Nicholas is also a founding partner of Uncompromised Creative and a proud father to Cameron.
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Watch the Trailer for Everyone Loves Candy:
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Secure your tickets now and join us for a spectacular celebration of cinema. We can’t wait to see you at the Garden State Film Festival and share these amazing films with you!
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THE GARDEN STATE FILM FESTIVAL is New Jersey's Premier Independent Film Festival®. Now in its 23rd year, the GSFF, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is a global destination festival that stimulates economic growth in New Jersey through the arts. It also promotes student creativity, makes the arts accessible to underserved populations and preserves heritage arts.
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