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Rising Voices: Bold Stories and Fresh Perspectives
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Discover the next generation of filmmakers! This block features innovative, boundary-pushing films that showcase exciting new voices and their unique takes on storytelling.
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Tom Cassese
Writer & Director
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Tom Cassese is a New York-based independent filmmaker who specializes in both animation and live-action. As a director, writer, and producer, his films, including Zoul, Concurrence, and Beanstalk, have been showcased at festivals worldwide, such as Cannes and Animation Block Party. A Hofstra University graduate, Tom has worked for DC Comics, AMC Networks, Discovery, and truTV, and illustrated the children's book Kids on Patrol. He currently works in visual effects, contributing to projects like HBO’s Succession and Netflix’s Rustin and NYAD.
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DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
"Creating Isotopia has been a labor of love years in the making.
It is my hope that the story will continue after the credits roll."
- TOM CASSESE
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Watch the Trailer for Isotopia:
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Christopher Schoner
Writer & Director
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Christopher Schoner is an animator and storyboard artist who recently earned his BFA in 2D Animation from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. With a deep passion for visual storytelling, he has always aspired to create his own compelling narratives through animation and storyboarding.
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Tim Preston
Writer & Director
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Tim Preston is a Director and Writer from Howell, New Jersey. His passion for filmmaking was ignited by his first viewing of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, which inspired him to create epic stories that leave audiences in awe. After earning his education at New York University and gaining three years of industry experience, Tim is steadily advancing his career and working to bring his cinematic vision to life for a global audience.
Tim's short film The Devil's Tree won Best Short Film at the
Garden State Film Festival in 2016.
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DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
"I truly believe that the best form of cinema is that which allows the audience to escape into fantasy and truly live within the epic worlds we as artists create. My goal is to bring that level of magic to every project I make, and I hope to one day reach the world with my work."
- TIM PRESTON
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Briana Troise
Writer & Director
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Briana Troise is a first-generation American and SVA graduate based in the NYC area, where she creates art around the clock. Her passion for film began with $5 movie nights at the local super mall, and it has since become the driving force of her life. Fully trained in Visual Effects and filmmaking, Briana combines these skills in innovative ways. She views filmmaking not only as a powerful form of self-expression but also as a profound tool for fostering empathy. Briana is committed to growing as a filmmaker and artist, while also enjoying weekend sessions of Dungeons and Dragons.
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DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
"Clean My Room is a love letter and an open hand to anyone diagnosed with ADHD later in life. As a mental disorder, ADHD doesn't end at school - focus is a key factor of living. Attention Deficit can hurt our closest relationships and prove detrimental to the most important parts of our lives. To anyone who relates to this film: It is hard and you are not alone."
- BRIANA TROISE
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BROTHERS: A CIVIL WAR STORY
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Casey Schaffer
Writer & Director
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Casey Schaffer is a 22-year-old award-winning filmmaker and recent graduate of DeSales University in Pennsylvania. He has received recognition at film festivals nationwide for his short films Listen (2023)
and Hello, It’s Me (2023).
A passionate history enthusiast, Casey is personally connected to the Civil War through his great-great-grandfather, who served in the 88th Pennsylvania Regiment for the Union Army. As the writer and director of Brothers: A Civil War Story, he is thrilled to combine his love of history and filmmaking, and is deeply grateful for his talented cast and crew in bringing this powerful story to life.
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Watch the Trailer for Brothers: A Civil War Story:
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Sean Crampton
Writer & Director
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Sean Campton is a produced writer, director, producer, and actor with experience in over 100 projects, ranging from feature films and television to commercials and augmented reality. Currently, he is completing a second-unit directing role for Yale Entertainment’s Dreambox, starring Clive Owen, while also finishing post-production on a teaser project he was hired to write and direct. His films have been featured at prestigious festivals such as TIFF 2021 with Steve Pink’s The Wheel, Slamdance 2024 with Good Bad Things (Audience Choice Winner and Grand Jury Winner), and Dances With Films 2023 with his directorial debut, HELMET, among other awards and invitations.
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Julian Gavilanes is an actor, writer, filmmaker, and podcaster based in NYC. He has appeared in notable shows such as Gotham, Mr. Robot, The Blacklist, and The Other Two, among others. Recently, he co-starred opposite Anne Hathaway in the critically acclaimed noir-thriller Eileen. Time Out Magazine named him one of the "Actors to Look Out For," and he was awarded Best Actor by Lady Filmmakers for his portrayal of White Privilege in DRIP.
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Watch the Trailer for IAMERICA:
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Join us for the 23rd Annual Garden State Film Festival, happening March 27-30, 2025, in Asbury Park & Cranford, NJ!
Secure your tickets now for a spectacular celebration of cinema—we can't wait to 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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