FESTIVAL INFO
Hoboken International Film Festival (“HIFF”) is dedicated to showcasing and promoting fine non-studio films, TV pilots, and screenplays from filmmakers throughout the United States and internationally. The best submissions will be rewarded with cash prizes in nearly ten categories. As will be discussed in the next section, HIFF has quickly become one of the top ten best film festivals in the world.
Now in its 15th year, Hoboken International Film Festival (“HIFF”) – called by FOX, Time Warner and other major media “One of the 10 Biggest Film Festivals in the World” – was held May 17-23, 2019 at the breathtaking lakeside beach at Thomas P. Morahan Waterfront Park and other locations in Greenwood Lake, New York. With the Gala Awards Ceremony hosted by Gilbert Gottfried, HIFF showcases numerous film and TV stars, and the world’s most cutting edge films. HIFF continues to attract the top independent filmmakers – in 2019 HIFF had over 1,500 film submissions from all
over the world, and only approximately 10% were accepted (the competition is fierce). Festival attendance has eclipsed 15,000 people in each of the past years. A star-filled event, HIFF has had several Academy Award and Emmy winners and nominees, and numerous other fan-favorite celebrities at screenings, award ceremonies and special events.
With a celebrity jury comprised of several elite actors, filmmakers and industry leaders, and powerhouse partners that have included WCBS FM, Anheuser-Busch, News 12, Coca-Cola, The New Continental Inn, Stella Artois, Times Herald-Record, Orange County, Backstage, Warwick Valley Dispatch, Greenwood Lake Chamber of Commerce, Cove Castle Restaurant, Empire State News, WTBQ FM, O’Connor Davies, Mid-Hudson News, Greenwood Lake Bagels, Alkaline Water King, Greenwood Lake Roasters, Jean-Claude Pastries, Tracey Diamond Designs, Josephine Moon Bloomfield, and many more, HIFF, is a worldwide renowned film festival.
The 2019 HIFF Hall of Fame Award was personally accepted by COBRA KAI star MARTIN KOVE (The Karate Kid; Rambo; “Cagney & Lacey”; Wyatt Earp) at HIFF’s Opening Night Celebrations on May 17, 2019.
HIFF’s Lifetime Humanitarian Award was personally accepted by superstar TV host/actor/professional wrestler GOVERNOR JESSE VENTURA (Predator; The Running Man; “Conspiracy Theory”). A tribute video honoring Governor Ventura’s one-and-only career was played directly before the award presentation.
The 2019 HIFF Excellence in Acting Award was personally accepted by famed actor JASON LONDON (Dazed and Confused; Man on the Moon; The Rage: Carrie 2).
Past winners of the HIFF Lifetime Achievement Award in Acting include Louis Gossett Jr (Academy Award winner; An Officer and a Gentleman; Iron Eagle; “Roots”); Burt Young (Academy Award nominee; Rocky; Back to School; Rocky sequels); Eric Roberts (Academy Award nominee; The Pope of Greenwich Village; The Expendables; The Specialist; ) Robert Loggia (Academy Award & Emmy Nominee; Scarface; Independence Day; Jagged Edge; Big); Cloris Leachman (Academy Award, 4-Time Golden Globe,19-Time Emmy Winner & Nominee); Paul Sorvino (Goodfellas; The Firm; Romeo + Juliet; Nixon); Danny Aiello (Academy Award Nominee; Moonstruck; Do the Right Thing; The Professional ; 29th Street); Armand Assante (4-time Golden Globe/2-time Emmy Winner & Nominee; “Gotti”; American Gangster; Private Benjamin); Billy Dee Williams (Empire Strikes Back; Return of the Jedi; Batman; Lady Sings the Blues; Emmy nominee), Carroll Baker (Academy Award Nominee & Golden Globe Winner; How the West Was Won; Baby Doll, Kindergarten Cop); and Charles Durning (2-Time Academy Award, 4-Time Golden Globe, 8-Time Emmy winner & nominee; Tootsie; The Sting; O’ Brother Where Art Thou).
Past winners of the HIFF Excellence in Acting Award & Excellence in Writing Award include: Michael Biehn (Terminator; Tombstone; The Seventh Sign); Tia Carrere (Grammy Award Winner; True Lies; Wayne’s World; Lilo & Stich); Joyce DeWitt (“Three’s Company”; Rock Story; Snapshot); and Mike Starr (Dumb & Dumber; The Black Dhalia; Summer of Sam; Ed Wood); Karen McCullah (Legally Blonde; Ella Enchanted; 10 Things I Hate About You; The House Bunny).
HIFF awards the winning filmmakers with cash prizes in several categories. There are also awards given in several other categories, and there are numerous top distribution companies in attendance of the festival and monitoring the Official Selections.