FilmOneFest 2011: Got a Minute?

(ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ) -- On Saturday, July 16, FilmOneFest returns to Atlantic Highlands. "We're working hard to make FilmOneFest 2011 'leap' with unexpected moments, new experiences, and beautiful filmmaking," says co-Director Robert O'Connor of New Jersey's only one-minute film festival.

FilmOneFest offers succinct, exciting minutes by local, national, and international filmmakers, films that capture the essence of an artist's vision in just 60 seconds. And it's not just film – this outdoor festival is a day-long celebration of summer by the shore, a free family event in picturesque Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey.

The festival begins with a Chamber of Commerce co-sponsored Street Fair from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. - food and fun, live music and more. At 7 p.m. award-winning blues woman Jo Wymer takes the stage at the Atlantic Highlands Marina. As the band plays, the festival continues, with artists, clowns, stilt-walkers, food vendors, even free popcorn.

At dark, on a giant inflatable screen, the one-minute films from as far away as Australia and as close to home as Atlantic Highlands, are projected for all to see. The very best have been selected by an expert panel of judges, including television producer Jon Crowley, film critic Joan Ellis, sound editor Gedney Webb, and film commentator Victor Zak. Awards will be presented following the screening.

It's all free, even the parking. Audience members may bring their own lawn chairs and blankets. Premium seating helps to defray the costs of the festival, and is available to purchase online at filmonefest.org, or at the festival. FilmOneFest supports the AACC Food Pantry in Atlantic  Highlands. Donations of nonperishable food are welcome. In event of rain or high winds, the festival goes on at the Charles Hesse Parish Hall, 55 South Ave. Atlantic Highlands.

FilmOneFest now has a free iPad app, the first ever for a film festival, at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/film-one-fest/id445616287?mt=8 created by Polymash, http://www.polymash.com/film-one-fest-ipad-app/ 

Follow FilmOneFest on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/FilmOneFest and Twitter, http://twitter.com/#!/FilmOneFest

This program is sponsored by the nonprofit Atlantic Highlands Arts Council, http://www.atlantichighlandsartscouncil.org, 732-856-8383, and is made possible in part by the Monmouth County Arts Council through funding from the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the County Historical Commission, and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment of the Arts.