Local filmmakers will have work shown at Garden State Film Festival

Films created by two residents with connections to western Monmouth County will be screened at the 2018 Garden State Film Festival.

“Roadie: The Documentary,” directed by Manalapan resident Timothy Hoffmann, will screen on March 24 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel’s Kingsley Ballroom, 1401 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park, according to a press release.

Hoffmann, 48, has been a resident of Manalapan for three years. He is a first-time filmmaker, but said he has been involved in unscripted, reality television and TV production for many years.

He said “Roadie: The Documentary” is “a passion project that reflects the 20-plus years of my life and career as a ‘roadie’ for many bands as I have toured the world.”

Hoffmann said his film “takes you behind the scenes and on the run with rock and roll road crews in order to answer the age old question – why the hell would anybody want to become a roadie?”

“Roadie: The Documentary” is a “never before seen look behind the curtain and back stage at the people who make ‘the show go on.’ The film follows three veteran touring professionals and digs deep into their day and career. Throughout the journey, (viewers) will get insight from many other roadies along with an education on how this industry works,” he said.

Hoffmann said he funded the project himself and, with the help of only a few others, has filmed, edited and produced a full feature documentary.

He said the “Roadie: The Documentary” trailer has been selected in many festivals over the past few months, including the Hollywood Film Competition in Hollywood, Calif., Filmzaar in Los Angeles, the Hamilton Music and Film Festival in Canada and the Monmouth Film Festival in Red Bank.

“Greenlit,” created, written and produced by Anthony Bradford, 32, who co-stars in the film, will screen on March 24 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Jersey Shore Arts Center, 66 S. Main St., Ocean Grove, according to the press release. The film was directed by Lisa Nicole Lennox.

Bradford is a graduate of Colts Neck High School and is a resident of Los Angeles. He said his parents, Anthony and Kathleen Bisignano, still live in Colts Neck. He has three younger brothers, Alexander Bisignano, Nicholas Bisignano (who co-stars in “Greenlit”) and Christian Bisignano.
He said “Greenlit” tells the story of an up-and-coming film producer who traverses the superficial landscape of Los Angeles looking for that next hit project, doing his best to maintain his principles in his business and personal relationships.
Bradford’s earlier work “Transition,” which was filmed in Monmouth County, was previously screened at the Garden State Film Festival.
His work has also been screened at, among other festivals, the HollyShorts Film Festival, the Cannes Short Film Corner, the Downtown New York City Film Festival, the Atlanta Comedy Film Festival and the Monmouth Film Festival.

“We are excited to present ‘Roadie: The Documentary’ and ‘Greenlit’ as a part of our 16th annual film festival in Asbury Park and shine a spotlight on the extraordinary talent from our state,” said Lauren Concar, the film festival’s executive director.

The Garden State Film Festival will run from March 22-25. Individual screening tickets are $15 in advance and $17 at the door.

Weekend passes are $50 in advance and $55 at the door. Day passes are available; the Saturday day pass is $30 and the Sunday day pass is $25. Tickets are available at www.gsff.org and at festival box offices. For more information, visitt www.gsff.org