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Film Forum at Montclair State

Film Forum at Montclair State is an initiative dedicated to the preservation, growth and enrichment of the art of film through research, education, professional development and community programming. Based within the College of the Arts at Montclair State University and supported by the School of Communication and Media, Film Forum leverages our wonderfully dedicated Filmmaking faculty, the University’s rich resources in film and film scholarship together with the impressive array of film industry assets and opportunities in New York City, New Jersey, and Los Angeles.

Upcoming Events

Please check back soon for future events.

2023-2024 Speaker Series


Tuesday, September 12, 10:00 p.m.Producer Adam Pogoff screens his latest work: COMMAND Z

School of Communication & Media 1040 - Presentation Hall


Tuesday, September 19, 10:00 p.m.LARRY LOCKE Screening "Heaven Stood Still: The Incarnations of Willy DeVille"

School of Communication & Media 1040 - Presentation Hall


Tuesday, September 26, 10:00 p.m.Director JANE WAGNER Screening "Break the Game"

School of Communication & Media 1040 - Presentation Hall


Tuesday, October 3, 10:00 p.m.Filmmaker ALYSSA BOLSEY Screening "Beyond the Bolex"

School of Communication & Media 1040 - Presentation Hall


Tuesday, October 10, 10:00 p.m.Filmmaker & Artist DICK BLAU Screening Various Works

School of Communication & Media 1040 - Presentation Hall


Tuesday, October 24, 10:00 p.m.Director JULIA WEIST Screening "Governing Body"

School of Communication & Media 1040 - Presentation Hall


Tuesday, October 31, 10:00 p.m.Writer & Director ONUR TUKEL Screening "Pound Cake"

School of Communication & Media 1040 - Presentation Hall


Tuesday, November 7, 11:00 p.m.Director SAM GREEN Screening "32 Sounds"

Alexander Kasser Theater 303 - Auditorium


Tuesday, November 14, 11:00 p.m.Writer & Director WARREN LEIGHT Screening "Law & Order: SVU"

School of Communication & Media 1040 - Presentation Hall


Tuesday, November 21, 11:00 p.m.Director ELLIE FOUMBI Screening "Our Father, the Devil"

School of Communication & Media 1040 - Presentation Hall


Tuesday, November 28, 11:00 p.m.Writer/Director/Producer SCOTT Z. BURNS Screening "Extrapolations"

School of Communication & Media 1040 - Presentation Hall


Tuesday, December 5, 11:00 p.m.Producers LINDSAY BERRA & PETER SOBILOFF joined with LARRY BERRA Screening "It Ain't Over"

School of Communication & Media 1040 - Presentation Hall


Tuesday, January 16, 11:00 p.m.Director Daniel Robbins Screens Latest Work

School of Communication & Media 1040 - Presentation Hall


Tuesday, January 23, 11:00 p.m.Director LORENZO DESTEFANO Screens "LOS ZAFIROS MUSIC FROM THE EDGE OF TIME"

School of Communication & Media 1040 - Presentation Hall


Tuesday, January 30, 11:00 p.m.Director STACIE PASSON Screens Work

School of Communication & Media 1040 - Presentation Hall


Tuesday, February 6, 11:00 p.m.Director PETER MILLER & Producer SHARYN FELDER Screening "AKA DOC POMUS"

School of Communication & Media 1040 - Presentation Hall


Tuesday, February 13, 11:00 p.m.Writer & Director CHLOE SARBIB Screens Work

School of Communication & Media 1040 - Presentation Hall


Tuesday, February 20, 11:00 p.m.Director JANET GRILLO Screening "Fly Away"

School of Communication & Media 1040 - Presentation Hall


Tuesday, February 27, 11:00 p.m.Production Designer WING LEE Screens Work

School of Communication & Media 1040 - Presentation Hall


Tuesday, March 5, 11:00 p.m.Executive Producer DANIEL BATTSEK Screens Work

School of Communication & Media 1040 - Presentation Hall


Tuesday, March 19, 10:00 p.m.Director RODDY BOGAWA Screens “Have you got it yet? The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd”

School of Communication & Media 1040 - Presentation Hall


Tuesday, March 26, 10:00 p.m.Editor CARLA GUTIERREZ Screens "FRIDA" with Co-Moderator Rogelio Zapata

School of Communication & Media 1040 - Presentation Hall


Tuesday, April 2, 10:00 p.m.Filmmaker SAV RODGERS Screens "Chasing Chasing Amy"

School of Communication & Media 1040 - Presentation Hall


Tuesday, April 9, 10:00 p.m.Writer & Director CORY FINLEY Screens "Landscape with Invisible Hand"

School of Communication & Media 1040 - Presentation Hall


Tuesday, April 16, 10:00 p.m.Animator DUSTIN GRELLA Screens Various Works

School of Communication & Media 1040 - Presentation Hall


Tuesday, April 30, 10:00 p.m.Filmmaker KARL NUSSBAUM Screens Work

School of Communication & Media 1040 - Presentation Hall

2022-2023 Speaker Series

Feature image for RYAN MOORE Screening "Marijuana Minutes"


Tuesday, September 13 RYAN MOORE Screening "Marijuana Minutes"

The FILM SUMMARY: Potheaded ne’er-do-well Amy just wants to hang out and get high, but when she discovers a vape pen that can reverse time, she must scramble to restore temporal order (and hopefully get some nookie in the process). With help from her psychotic best friend, Amy battles with bizarre drug dealers, lame Tinder dates, and a slew of other oddballs in this indie sci-fi comedy adventure.

Feature image for Abby Ellen presents TO LIVE AND DIE IN ALABAMA


Tuesday, September 20 Abby Ellen presents TO LIVE AND DIE IN ALABAMA

Film description: The fatal shootings of three Birmingham police officers at an Ensley drug house, and the subsequent execution of one of two men convicted in the killings. Co-moderator: Jason Williams Phd. Associate Professor of Justice Studies

Feature image for MICHAEL SLOVIS   - director/dp


Tuesday, September 27 MICHAEL SLOVIS - director/dp

Director Michael Slovis talks about his work and pre-visualization

Feature image for Dan Mirvish, Filmmaker  presents his feature 18 1/2


Tuesday, October 11 Dan Mirvish, Filmmaker presents his feature 18 1/2

"Dan Mirvish’s latest, 18½, is a quirky political thriller beaming with larger than life zaniness….The film is rendered in beautiful soft cinematography (by Elle Schneider) evoking Altman’s early 70’s work, or perhaps Alexander Payne’s seminal Sideways.… Trailer: https://youtu.be/qPx4Gl7fV8I

Feature image for MICHAEL SMITH, director presents his work


Tuesday, October 18 MICHAEL SMITH, director presents his work

Showing episode of the series MANIFEST Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjsFg7e-ffk

Feature image for JAMISON LoCASCIO, Filmmaker/Author presents KNOW FEAR


Tuesday, October 25 JAMISON LoCASCIO, Filmmaker/Author presents KNOW FEAR

Presenting KNOW FEAR Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pimtNK-R--o&t=32s

Feature image for KAVERY KAUL, filmmaker presenting THE BENGALI


Tuesday, November 1 KAVERY KAUL, filmmaker presenting THE BENGALI

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MM7O66xwRjQ&t=2s

Feature image for MICHAEL PEROFF, filmmaker/producer presenting The Shanghai String Quartet: Behind the Strings


Tuesday, November 8 MICHAEL PEROFF, filmmaker/producer presenting The Shanghai String Quartet: Behind the Strings

The Shanghai String Quartet: Behind the Strings Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-9NqU7HacU

Feature image for JASON KATIMS, Writer/producer showing episodes from his series " As We See It"


Tuesday, November 15 JASON KATIMS, Writer/producer showing episodes from his series " As We See It"

This comedy-drama from Universal Television follows three roommates on the spectrum. Jack (Rick Glassman), Harrison (Albert Rutecki) and Violet (Sue Ann Pien) strive to navigate the world while trying to find a way to live together.”

Feature image for DAN PERLMAN, Writer/Director & Comedian presents "Flatbush Misdemeanors"


Tuesday, November 22 DAN PERLMAN, Writer/Director & Comedian presents "Flatbush Misdemeanors"

Flatbush Misdemeanors Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-hdvjJebhc

Feature image for BEN SNYDER, Writer/Director


Tuesday, November 29 BEN SNYDER, Writer/Director

Screening his recent feature “ALLSWELL” A Nuyorican Odyssey of new family, old traumas, and struggling to make peace with it all.

Feature image for POLA RAPAPORT filmmaker, presenting "Addicted to Life"


Tuesday, December 6 POLA RAPAPORT filmmaker, presenting "Addicted to Life"

Strong-willed, funny and charismatic, at 37, Belgian athlete Marieke Vervoort’s time is running out. As her strength falters and her body begins to fail, she determines to end her life with the help of her doctors. Liberated by the legal permission to die, Marieke rediscovers the freedom and thrill of living and competing, and becomes a Paralympic champion. Her acceptance of death becomes an affirmation of life. Marieke demystifies one of the most controversial issues of our time.

Feature image for Writer/Director David Seth Cohen Presents: FINDING SANDLER


Tuesday, January 24 Writer/Director David Seth Cohen Presents: FINDING SANDLER

Documentary: Years after a missed opportunity with his hero (Adam Sandler), a determined filmmaker (David Seth Cohen) goes on a quest to recapture what could have been.

Feature image for Writer and Actor Jeff Kahn


Tuesday, January 31 Writer and Actor Jeff Kahn

Writer and Actor Jeff Kahn shares his work.

Feature image for Director Emma Francis-Snyder Presents: TAKEOVER


Tuesday, February 7 Director Emma Francis-Snyder Presents: TAKEOVER

Documentary: In 1970, a group of young Puerto Rican activists took over a decrepit hospital in New York City, launching a battle for their lives, their community, and health care for all.

Feature image for Writer/Director Amanda Kramer Presents: PLEASE BABY PLEASE


Tuesday, February 14 Writer/Director Amanda Kramer Presents: PLEASE BABY PLEASE

Feature: Newlyweds Suse and Arthur become the dangerous obsession of a greaser gang that awakens a sleeping quandary into the couple's sexual identity.

Feature image for Writer/Director Tanya Hamilton Presents: NIGHT CATCHES US


Tuesday, February 21 Writer/Director Tanya Hamilton Presents: NIGHT CATCHES US

Feature: When ex-Black Panther Marcus (Anthony Mackie) returns to Philadelphia for the funeral of his father, he knows it's not going to be an easy visit. Many of his old radical friends, including "DoRight" Miller (Jamie Hector), still believe that Marcus was responsible for the death of a Panther leader right before he took off. While trying to convince everyone he's not a snitch, Marcus rekindles his relationship with Patricia (Kerry Washington), the widow of the slain leader.

Feature image for Filmmaker Tracey Arcabasso Smith Presents: RELATIVE


Tuesday, February 28 Filmmaker Tracey Arcabasso Smith Presents: RELATIVE

Documentary: Unraveling a complex tapestry of vulnerability, shame, and love, the filmmaker discovers a pervasive history of multigenerational sexual abuse in her Italian-American family. As decades of secrets, home-movies, and long-avoided conversations surface, a family bound by loyalty and tradition forges a new path forward.

Feature image for Writer/Director Patrick Read Johnson Presents: 5-25-77


Tuesday, March 14 Writer/Director Patrick Read Johnson Presents: 5-25-77

Feature: Filmmaker-hopeful Pat Johnson's epic film about growing up in rural Illinois, falling in love, and becoming the first fan of the movie that changed everything.

Feature image for Filmmakers Marylou and Jerome Bongiorno Present: RUST


Tuesday, March 21 Filmmakers Marylou and Jerome Bongiorno Present: RUST

Documentary: RUST presents the history of Rust Belt poverty, detailing industrialization and deindustrialization and also racism and mass incarceration, using the city of Newark, New Jersey as microcosm.

Feature image for Filmmakers Susan Kerner and Steve McCarthy Present: EVA'S PROMISE


Tuesday, March 28 Filmmakers Susan Kerner and Steve McCarthy Present: EVA'S PROMISE

Documentary: On a train to Auschwitz, 15-year-old Eva made a promise to her brother Heinz Geiringer. If he did not survive the camps, Eva promised to retrieve the paintings and poetry Heinz hid under the floorboards of his attic hiding place. After the war, Eva became the posthumous stepsister of Anne Frank when her mother married Anne’s father. While the world knows Anne’s story, this film introduces Heinz, his artistry, and his sister’s efforts to find and share his remarkable legacy.

Feature image for Filmmakers Tia Lessin and Emma Pildes Present: THE JANES


Tuesday, April 4 Filmmakers Tia Lessin and Emma Pildes Present: THE JANES

Documentary: Police arrested seven women who were part of a clandestine network. Using code names, blindfolds and safe houses, they built an underground service for women seeking safe, affordable, illegal abortions calling themselves JANE.

Feature image for Director Alex Pritz presents: THE TERRITORY


Tuesday, April 11 Director Alex Pritz presents: THE TERRITORY

Documentary: The Territory provides an immersive on-the-ground look at the tireless fight of the Indigenous Uru-eu-wau-wau people against the encroaching deforestation brought by farmers and illegal settlers in the Brazilian Amazon.

Feature image for Director Chuck Schultz Presents: WHEN MY SLEEPING DRAGON WOKE


Tuesday, April 18 Director Chuck Schultz Presents: WHEN MY SLEEPING DRAGON WOKE

Documentary: Sharon Washington chooses the theater to write her modern-day fairy tale of a little girl who grows up inside the St. Agnes Branch of the New York Public Library. But revisiting her past comes with an unforeseen cost.

Feature image for Writer/Director Colin West Presents: LINOLEUM


Tuesday, April 25 Writer/Director Colin West Presents: LINOLEUM

Feature: When the host of a failing children's science show tries to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming an astronaut by building a rocket ship in his garage, a series of bizarre events occur that cause him to question his own reality.

Past Years’ Speaker Series