Cape May NJ State Film Festival

It's the year of the Super Hero at the Cape May NJ Film Festival

Posted 11/06/06

Nick Nolte as a mild mannered gas station attendant with amazing powers...a New York priest who becomes the Saint of 911...a brave woman hidden beneath an Underdog label...these are just some of the everyday heroes who star on screen in this year's NJ State Film Festival at Cape May.

The courage theme even permeates the independent shorts with films from the New Orleans hurricane rescue and films documenting the perilous risks of firefighters.

Friday Opening

The Film Festival begins Friday night with a dessert and champagne party at Congress Hall. Cape May's own hero - Bruce Minnix - the former mayor who helped to save the Victorian city from the wrecking ball back in the seventies, will take the audience back in time to the golden years of TV.

Read more about Bruce Minnix.

Saturday Shorts

This year, several different local venues will serve as settings for the films. An eclectic group of shorts and features will be screened during the day Saturday. You can take a free MAC trolley between the locations to view the independent films.

Saturday Evening Features

Saint of 911

The Feature Highlight Saturday evening is The Saint of 911, a moving documentary about the life of the late Father Judge. You can see it at the Church of the Advent at 7 and 8:45PM.

A reception at Cape May's Fire Hall, tied in to the 911 film, will honor the Cape May area's local firefighters. Two short films about firefighters' perils will be screened the same night.

My Life as an Underdog

Also Saturday evening, My Life as an Underdog chronicles the story of Suzanne Muldowney, a brilliant costume maker who was diagnosed with a form of autism. See it at 7PM at the Cape May Elementary School. Note: meet Suzanne and see some of the costumes she designed earlier in the day, at 2PM at the school.

Peaceful Warrior

Dan Millman, a world champion athlete, became a best selling author with The Way of the Peaceful Warrior. The book is now a film starring Nick Nolte. The Saturday night screening is part of a limited nationwide release and takes place at 6:30 and 8:45PM at Cape May Convention hall..

Czech Dreams

In this film from the Carnegie Mellon International Film Festival, the filmmakers spoof a Wal-Mart style store. The film has won international recognition. Catch it at 8:45PM Saturday night at Cape May Elementary School.

Sunday Brunch

Film Inspired by Art

Sunday morning, the festival highlights local artist-heroes Gerald Lynch and Sam Maiten through the films of Cape May filmmaker, Craig Rinkerman. The films will be shown during brunch at Congress Hall starting at 10:30AM.