Northeast Film Festival Horror Fest showcases top independent films in the genres of horror and thriller, from established filmmakers as well as new talent. The high quality films, selected by a committee, includes features and shorts as well as screenplays. The festival is hosted in Teaneck New Jersey at the historic Teaneck Cinemas; with an after party to relax and network during the festival in style and spirit.
Get to know the Festival:
Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?
Larry Rosen: We are offering a showcase of quality films and creating an atmosphere of networking and discussion among filmmakers, actors and film enthusiasts. This helps in bringing about collaboration for the filmmakers. Many of those who attend, meet actors they wish to work with, people they want to collaborate with, or are getting a good springboard as they continue on the festival circuit. We also have a very good record of [feature] films going on to getting distribution and [short] films continuing with success on the festival circuit.
2) What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2018)?
To see quality films and meet a lot of great people who are excited by indie films and the genre. Plus everyone is treated like a celebrity, so they feel included in the red carpet and after party.
3) What are the qualifications for the selected films?
For NEFF Horror Fest, we search for films in the horror or thriller genre that still tell a story and captivate the audience.
4) Do you think that some films really don’t get a fair shake from film festivals? And if so, why?
Most festivals, films with a $500 budget are competing against films with a $500,000 budget. So sometimes people get caught up in the fx and celebrities. But the core is still good storytelling.
5) What motivates you and your team to do this festival?
The team are all people who work in the film industry. Whether as directors, writers, actors, or any other position. So we all have a passion for independent film and giving filmmakers the opportunity to showcase their work [in a beautiful theater].
How has your FilmFreeway submission process been?
Some people like the FilmFreeway platform better, so it offers an additional submission platform. Many still like Withoutabox, so we utilize both.
7) Where do you see the festival by 2023?
The NEFF Horror Fest is already a genre festival created by the overflow of our main festival, Northeast Film Festival. By 2023, I see NEFF Horror Fest growing in size to accommodate the increase in submissions and quality of those submissions; as well as another genre festival of some sorts, developing from Northeast Film Festival.
8) What film have you seen the most times in your life?
Either The Usual Suspects, because of the twist and pieces that are hidden throughout, or The Fugitive, because of the focus on the characters within an action-drama.
9) In one sentence, what makes a great film?
A film that can draw the audience into the reality of the film through strong storytelling and compelling acting.
10) How is the film scene in your city?
Teaneck, NJ is technically a suburb of NYC. NYC has a very strong independent film scene and Teaneck offers a supportive atmosphere for the arts and film.
