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Feel the Power of Storytelling at
the Garden State Film Festival
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Prepare to be moved, enlightened, and inspired. This block features a gripping drama alongside powerful documentaries that dive into real-world issues and profound narratives, leaving you both informed and transformed.
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No scripts, no scores, just artists fueling each other’s creativity, improvising in the moment, and engaging in a real-time expression of listening, seeing, and creating.
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Danny Clinch is a renowned photographer, filmmaker, and musician, known for his deep connection to music. His relaxed approach has made him a leading photographer in the music scene, working with artists like Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Cash, Tupac Shakur, and Bjork. His work has appeared in major publications and on countless album covers. As a director, Danny has earned three Grammy nominations for his films with Bruce Springsteen, John Mayer, and Ben Harper. His films, including All I Can Say and A Tuba to Cuba, have been featured at prestigious festivals like Tribeca and South by Southwest. When not photographing or directing, Danny plays harmonica in the Tangiers Blues Band, often capturing moments with his Leica camera mid-performance.
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Producer & Writer Jim Watt
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 Jim Watt is an American artist, architect, producer, and set/lighting designer, known for his paintings and architecture, as well as producing stage productions and a short film. Based in Asbury Park, New Jersey, his work explores space, form, and material, drawing parallels between his artistic and architectural endeavors Jim has served as a producer, set designer, and lighting designer for productions of "RED" by John Logan and "ART" by Yasmina Reza. This project involves 1000 ink washes, painted with Japanese Sumi ink and water on paper, released in series, and accompanied by short films and live performances featuring jazz musicians.
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Wynton Marsalis
Trumpeter and Composer
"The film has an uncommon point of view. It shows the symbiotic relationship of improvised music and the instant irreversible art of sumi-e.Â
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Christina Chironna,
Director
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Christina Chironna is a New York-based director focused on telling stories that explore life's complexities, where good and bad intertwine. Specializing in documentaries, narratives, and short films, she uses her unique perspective to dive into the human experience. Passionate about creating a positive impact, Christina partners with non-profits to blend artistry with social purpose. She also excelled at FilmUp, growing their social media presence from zero to over a million followers, building a vibrant film industry community. Previously, as Producer at Jay-Z’s Scheme Engine, she oversaw productions for clients like Apple, Adidas, and Google. Through her work, Christina found her mission: to create films that make a lasting, positive difference in the world.
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DIRECTOR'S NOTE
"As a director, my approach to this story is rooted in the complexity of life - the understanding that nothing is merely good or bad, but rather a tapestry of both. When Everything Was Blue aims to capture this duality, showcasing how moments of happiness and heartache can coexist and also define our existence. To me, this film is a tribute to those who continue to bear the scars of 9/11, a reminder that their stories, their struggles, and their strength remain an essential part of our collective memory and ongoing healing."Â
- Christina Chironna
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To learn more about When Everything Was Blue and the resources for those who lived, worked, or attended school in Lower Manhattan after 9/11, visit wheneverythingwasblue.com
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"America Unfiltered represents our raw, unadorned emotional encounters with these people and engenders hope for a better tomorrow."
-Â Horacio MarquĂnez, Director
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Horacio MarquĂnez is an award-winning director and cinematographer with over 40 feature films, commercials, and documentaries to his name. Born in Panama and a graduate of Columbia University Film School, he has collaborated with renowned directors, producers, and actors like Robin Williams, Adrian Brody, and Vera Farmiga. Horacio directed Rainbow Day Camp, a critically acclaimed documentary about a summer camp for gender creative children. He has also taught cinematography at Columbia University, UCLA, and LA Film Schools. Horacio currently resides in New York.
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Kirill Myltsev, a distinguished network and studio editor from Moscow, Russia, is known for blending innovative editing techniques with a classic style. Praised by Cannes Best Director Pavel Lungin as having “wondrous film editing,” Kirill’s love for cinema was sparked by his early exposure to world literature and film. He earned a master’s degree in directing from the University of Moscow and went on to edit over a dozen feature films in Russia. After relocating to the United States in 2018, Kirill quickly made a name for himself in editing commercials, documentaries, and narrative films. He currently lives in Los Angeles.
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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!Â
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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.Â
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