September 15, 2010

Festival organizers are pleased to announce the winners of the first ever Atlantic City International Film and Music Festival (ACIFMF) film categories.  This past weekend welcomed filmmakers from around the world to Atlantic City’s premiere properties as their films were screened and critiqued by an internationally recognized panel of judges.  The following awards were presented:

Outstanding Feature:  Apostles of Park Slope, Directed By Jason Cusato

Outstanding Short:  Touch, Directed By Jen McGowan

Best Animation:  The Lift, Directed By Robert Kohr

Best Student Film:  The Binding of Ishmael, Directed By Taofik Kolade

Best Horror Film:  Bereavement, Directed By Stevan Mena

Outstanding Documentary:  Streetball, Directed By Demetrius Wren

Homegrown Award Winner:  Ice Grill USA, Directed By Mark Bernardi & Greg Santarsiero

Best of Festival Award:  Ice Grill USA, Directed By Mark Bernardi & Greg Santarsiero

Congratulations to the winners of these film categories!

The ACIFMF team would also like to recognize all of the filmmakers that made this inaugural event such a success.  The film submissions and selections represented a vast pool of talent that the festival staff was proud to critique and display.   As the inaugural ACIFMF comes to a close, we truly hope that our forum expands opportunities for each and every filmmaker involved and that our festival inspires artists to continue to pursue their dreams.

Thank you for being a part of the Atlantic City International Film and Music Festival.  We can’t wait to see you next year!

Kim Bergman

Filmmaker/Contributor/ACIFMF Blogista

August 25, 2010

The ACIFMF staff is proud to present the musical lineups for the first ever Atlantic City International Film and Music Festival!  The jam-packed musical program spans three days/nights and kicks off at the House of Blues on Thursday night, September 9th.  Do you like Hip Hop?  Yes?!  Well, here at ACIFMF headquarters we Love Hip Hop and on Thursday night international flavors of hip hop will grace the House of Blues stage.  The Thursday night lineup features John Graham, Billy Becks, Lushlife, the Misnomers, and Dujeous before Headliner Wale takes the stage.  Do not miss this night!

Let’s say classic or alternative rock is what you like…the ACIFMF has assembled a collection of artists for Friday night’s lineup who are inspired by rock legends infused with modern day beats.  Artists taking the stage Friday night September 10th at the House of Blues include Bender, Bern & the Brights, 3 in Counting, Revolution, I Love You, Belikos, and the Friday night headliner Fishbone.

On Saturday, September 11th, ACIFMF welcomes a diverse program of artists to Caesars’s Circus Maximus theater.  The entire day is devoted to showcasing talents across a range of musical tastes and includes performances by Ryan Vale, True Witness, Camp Arawak, Stonethrow, War Plan Red, Spanish Channel, Jamie Alimorad, Koldera, Against the Tide, and the Saturday Circus Maximus headliner School of Rock All Stars.

Bottom line: if you love music of any kind, you’ll love ACIFMF.  Get your tickets today!!

Kim Bergman

Filmmaker/Contributor/ACIFMF Blogista

August 6, 2010

The organizers of the first ever Atlantic City International Film and Music Festival (ACIFMF) wish to thank our good friends at TRIBECAFILM.com for their blog post highlighting the ACIFMF inaugural event!  Tribeca Enterprises is a unique and vital organization committed to artists, audiences, and independent film and media, and their support of the ACIFMF demonstrates this commitment.  Take a trip over to the Tribeca Film blog and please feel free to comment, share, like and tweet to help make the ACIFMF a success!!!

August 5, 2010

If you dig music like I dig music…ALL kinds of music…you will dig the Atlantic City International Film and Music Festival’s musical lineup for its inaugural event!  Whether hip/hop, rock, pop, alternative, progressive, electronica, contemporary, folk, or fusion is your thang, the ACIFMF offers a cornucopia of musical delight for your tastes.  The following official musical selections of the ACIFMF will share their transcendent sounds with you at this highly anticipated event:

Dujeous 

John Graham

MisNomer(S)

Camp Arawak

Stonethrown

Jamie Alimorad

3 In Counting

Bender

Billy Becks

Belikos

Revolution, I Love You

War Plan Red

Against the Tide

Bern and the Brights

Lushlife

True Witness

Learn more about these artists by clicking their links above or by visiting our ‘Official Selection 2010′ music page here.

Join us in Atlantic City on September 8-12th to experience the unparalleled musical efforts of these fine artists at the 1st ever Atlantic City International Film and Music Festival!

Kim Bergman

Filmmaker/Contributor/ACIFMF Blogista

August 5, 2010

The film selections for the 1st Atlantic City International Film and Music Festival have been announced!  Below are the official film selections for this inaugural event and the directors/filmmakers that brought them to life: 

ACIFMF organizers would like to extend a sincere and heartfelt THANK YOU to ALL individuals who submitted their films for consideration.  It is through your hard work and commitment that ACIFMF will be a success this year and for years to come.  You have played an integral role in building the tradition that will be one of the biggest film and music events in the country.

To learn more about these films (including individual film synopses and running times), please click on our ‘Official Selection 2010′ film page here.

See you in AC!!!

Kim Bergman

Filmmaker/Contributor/ACIFMF Blogista

July 19, 2010

Organizers of the 1st annual Atlantic City International Film and Music Festival (ACIFMF) are proud to present the current list of judges for both film and music award categories for this widely anticipated inaugural event!  Not only does the ACIFMF offer filmmakers and musicians a forum to showcase their artistic talents, it will provide opportunities for recognition in the form of spirited competition judged by internationally known and established individuals in the film and music industries.  Artists will compete for awards and cash prizes totaling over $20,000 USD in nearly 30 film and music categories to be awarded by the following esteemed judges:

Judges for Music-Related Categories:

Michael Grozier – Executive Vice President of Clubs and Theatres, Live Nation

Adam Weiser – Talent Buyer, AEG Live

Ben Duvdevani – AEG Live, NJ / Starland Ballroom

Judges for Film-Related Categories:

Gobi – Producer/Director/Author

Marco Cappetta – Director of Photography

Ray Moheet – Manager/Producer

Alrick Brown – Writer/Director/Producer

Additional information on these judges, including short bios and past and current projects, can be found on our Judges page.  These are real individuals on the front lines of the film and music industries and whose critical eyes and ears will aid all of our selectees down a path of continued success.  The ACIFMF team continues to work feverishly on the line up of judges, so stay tuned to the ACIFMF Judges page and the ACIFMF Blog page for updates!

Kim Bergman

Filmmaker/Contributor/ACIFMF Blogista

July 18, 2010

Film and music lovers alike, the 1^st annual Atlantic City International Film and Music Festival (ACIFMF) will be here before you know it and festival passes are available NOW at our Box Office!

We offer a multitude of passes to tailor your festival experience specifically to YOU.  Whether your interests are focused on the innovative efforts of independent filmmakers or on fresh musical talents from around the globe (or both), the ACIFMF offers an event pass that suits your needs and desires.  For festival-goers whose interests are primarily in film, the value-packed Economy and Moviegoer passes provide a mix of opportunities to attend film screenings, VIP panel discussions and nightlife events.  Film and music lovers can satisfy both their cinematic and musical interests with the Hybrid pass, combining a two-day all access movie and VIP panel discussion pass with a concert pass and “Pass the Line” privileges for any nightlife event.   For those looking for more of an international experience, we offer the Passport pass providing a three-day, all access pass to all international films and chat discussion panels, passes to one ACIFMF party and one concert with priority seating, and “Pass the Line” privileges for any nightlife event.  To satisfy your auditory cravings for new and diverse musical experiences, the ACIFMF offers the Rock Star pass, an all access, back stage pass to all music events, VIP panel discussions and the VIP lounge, combined with “Pass the line” privileges at all nightlife destinations and premium seating at concert events.  The Director pass combines ALL of the above: a three-day, all access film pass, access to all festival parties, VIP and coffee/lunch chat panel discussions, a back stage pass to all music events, access to the VIP lounge, priority seating at all film and concert events, and “Pass the Line” privileges for all nightlife events.

No event in Atlantic City would be complete without a High Roller!  Simply put, the High Roller pass is all access, all everything, all the time!  It includes all access to all film and music events, ACIFMF parties, and VIP panel discussions, premium seating for all events, back stage access, top priority purchasing privilege for all art pieces, a commemorative piece of classic Atlantic City memorabilia, and a personal festival guide.

The ACIFMF organizers continue to work diligently to create a one-of-a-kind event for all attendees.  Visit our Box Office now to take advantage of special Early Bird pricing for some of the most popular festival pass options.  Whether it’s for one day or three, for film screenings or concerts or just to party, come join us amidst the bright casino lights and sandy shores of Atlantic City for the 1^st annual Atlantic City International Film and Music Festival September 8-12, 2010!

Kim Bergman

Filmmaker/Contributor/ACIFMF Blogista

July 8, 2010

Then we have three words for you…WE WANT YOU!  The Atlantic City International Film and Music festival wants to bring new and emerging talent into the spotlight.  If you are a student filmmaker looking for an opportunity to exhibit your film to a wide audience and network with other artists in the industry, look no further.  The ACIFMF offers a once in a lifetime chance to share your talents on an international stage. Our Student Film category seeks works of all genres and formats.  Under this category, we do not require student submissions to be final projects or thesis films, only that they have been made by a student while enrolled in a school/college/university/institute.  If you are a student in grades 7 through 12 in the New Jersey school system, we encourage you to submit shorts in all formats and genres under our Home Grown Talent category.  All exhibiting filmmakers in all categories will be competing for prizes totaling over $20,000 (USD).  But HURRY!  The deadline for student submissions is JULY 30, 2010.  Just click on the picture below to submit.

You are an important part of what we feel will make the ACIFMF a success this year and for years to come.  Seize this opportunity and submit your student film TODAY!

Kim Bergman

Filmmaker/Contributor/ACIFMF Blogista

July 1, 2010

It’s getting down to the wire!  The Atlantic City International Film and Music Festival (ACIFMF) wants YOU and the deadline for submissions is fast approaching!!  Be a part of this inaugural event, the first large scale convergence of artist and business communities in Atlantic City with the ultimate objective of bringing innovation, creativity, and unique filmmaking & musical talents to its host city.

Not only does the ACIFMF offer you a forum to showcase your talents, it will provide opportunities for you as an artist to market, learn, engage and network in an energetic, international environment.  With our schedule of events, meetings, seminars and sleek upscale nightlife opportunities, the ACIFMF looks to become an important artistic stop along the festival circuit in the years to come.  Filmmakers and musicians at the fest will compete for awards and cash prizes totaling over $20,000 USD in nearly 30 film and music categories, including Best of Fest, Best in Category, as well as Audience Awards and more.

Pay a visit to our Withoutabox listing and check us out by clicking on the photo below.  You’ll be glad you did!  And do it quickly…the deadline for submissions is JULY 26, 2010!!

Not a filmmaker or musician?  Mark your calendars for September 8-12, 2010 because ACIFMF offers a great lineup of events for all interests and ages.  The ACIFMF organizers have been working diligently to bring you a diverse program catering to all.  Our Film Corners offer a wide variety of programming covering an array of interests.  Whether it be through our Family Friendly Film Corner (our effort to seek out strong family-oriented content for our earlier weekend programs), our Horror Film Corner (if thrills and chills are your thing), or our Socially Conscious Corner (presenting socially conscious issues to promote a larger public awareness), the ACIFMF has something for everyone!

Hope to see you in AC!

Kim Bergman

Filmmaker/Contributor/ACIFMF Blogista

June 16, 2010

Amidst the bright casino lights and sandy shores of Atlantic City comes the 1^st annual Atlantic City International Film and Music Festival (ACIFMF).  On September 8, 2010, filmmakers, musicians and patrons will descend upon Atlantic City for this invigorating inaugural event.  Showcasing film and musical talent harvested from a worldwide stage, ACIFMF’s pledge is to bring a unique, innovative, and diverse artistic experience to both local and visiting film and music lovers alike.

The ACIFMF organizers continue to work diligently to create a one-of-a-kind event for all attendees.  The vitality, characteristic to America’s Playground (Atlantic City), is embodied in ACIFMF and in its founder John Paxton, an accomplished writer, producer and director of independent films.   Born and raised in Atlantic City, John returns with the mission of giving back to his community in the form of sharing artistic expression and promoting independent spirit.

In conjunction with its premiere sponsor and host Harrah’s Entertainment, ACIFMF will feature a full schedule of a variety of film and music offerings, as well as informative meetings, educational seminars, networking opportunities, and of course exhilarating nightlife that only Atlantic City can provide.  ACIFMF will offer awards and recognition in over 30 film and musical categories, including traditional honors such as Best of Fest, Audience Choice, student and individual awards, and the less traditional yet highly relevant awards for Outstanding Socially Conscious Merit and Top Horror Film (my personal favorite).  The uniqueness of the ACIFMF is underscored by its commitment to education and awareness.  ACIFMF’s Home Grown Talent initiative encourages New Jersey students of film grades 7-12 to submit their works to showcase the creativity and talent of New Jersey youth.  ACIFMF’s Socially Conscious Corner will highlight films focusing on socially relevant topics to foster a greater public awareness (this year’s Socially Conscious focus is LGBTQ in film).

This is the initial installment of the official ACIFMF blog.  Be sure to check back with us as this blog will chronicle the progression of the ACIFMF leading up to the festival’s debut September 8-12, 2010.  Through our ACIFMF blog, we will continue to inform you of important programming details, provide exposure to upcoming filmmakers and musicians through our Artist Spotlight series, and share YOUR feedback through our video blog entitled ACIFMF On the Streets.

Filmmakers, musicians, patrons…the ACIFMF is not to be missed.  Consider this your call to action, whether it be in the form of submission or attendance.  Are you the next Scorsese or Tarantino?  The next Green Day or Common?  Someone who digs good music or craves cutting edge film?  Or someone just looking for a good time?!  Well then we’ll see you in AC, baby!

Kim Bergman

Filmmaker/Contributor/Blogista

Kim is a scientist by day, artist by night.  Aside from her day-job as a clinical pharmacologist, she is a writer and independent filmmaker, combining her passion for story-telling with her love of the horror/suspense genre. She has one mission (other than scaring the you-know-what out of you): to demonstrate that it’s never too late to do something you love.  Kim’s current endeavors include producing/directing a webisode, a documentary, and a few horror shorts, collaborating with John Paxton (ACIFMF founder) on various projects, and contributing to the overall success and enjoyment of the ACIFMF.