Michele Sorvino The Golden Door International Film Festival Interview

Michele Sorvino The Golden Door International Film Festival Interview

Founded in 2010 by actor Bill Sorvino and a small group of dyed in the wool Jersey Cityites. The renegade band of 'old time Jersey City" residents set out on a mission to shine a light on Jersey City, New Jersey and to provide an equal platform to all filmmakers well known and otherwise. Since that time, Golden Door International Film Festival has anchored itself as a cultural focal point of Jersey City.

https://www.facebook.com/GoldenDoorFest/
www.goldendoorfilmfestival.org

Interview with Michele Sorvino

Question: What is The Golden Door International Film Festival?

Michele Sorvino: The festival is know as the Best Film Festival in NJ by NJ STAGE Magazine for 2015! I think what sets us apart from the rest is simple: The feedback I get it so positive and encouraging that it inspires us to "Our" mantra has always been 'We are an elite film festival, but never elitist!" We strive to make every filmmaker feel like a star, because in our minds if you had the temerity to make a great film and we accepted it, then you are a star. Every filmmaker, actor etc. has the same access to all the goings on as any famous A-Lister. In fact our lesser known filmmakers are always blown away at how accessible we make everyone and everything. On a community note, we are one of the only film festivals to devote an entire component of the festival to raising autism and disability awareness. We feel very strongly about giving voice to those who are less fortunate and to individuals with disabilities. In fact we award scholarships to Autistic filmmakers, to filmmakers who create films about Autism as well as general education scholarships to promising students in the arts in Jersey City's public school system.

We also have 2 Academy Award winners on our board: Leon Gast and Mira Sorvino. Paul Sorvino , Chis Backus are also on the board!


Question: Why was it important to create a non-profit festival?

Michele Sorvino: The nonprofit model was created to serve the needs on the community while supporting a very important art ... Film making. Scholarships have been funded via our non profit organization! We also have supported over 50 other non profit organizations. We just recently sent a Jersey City student from PS22 to a week long summer camp at Liberty Science Center. These are the significant ways we are able to help our community!


Question: Why did you choose to raise awareness for autism with the festival?

Michele Sorvino: I was on another board for a Atlantic Health Systems, a hospital in NJ, on a planning board while they were raising the funds to open a Autism Center in NJ. We screened a film about Autism and at the moment my mission in life became so clear. I was running the festival and sitting on this board and when I screened the film I thought WE SHOULD BE DOING THIS! We should create a philanthropic arm to the festival. I came home mentioned it to Bill, President of GDIFF and the rest is history! We immediately started reaching out to organizations that may be interested in our efforts and before we knew it Autism Speaks and Tommy Hilfiger we both on board!


Question: What can we expect from The Golden Door International Film Festival, this year?

Michele Sorvino: Only a great line up on Indie films! We really take pride in screening and selecting a bunch of films that are exciting to all audiences. We also always try to screen films that raise awareness for disabilities! We typically have many cool sponsors ! We are very excited to have NJBEERCO as a sponsor this year! http://njbeerco.com/ It hits home for many different reason #1 GREAT BEER! #2 it's from NJ and we LOVE our NJ ROOTS! #3 Made right in Hudson County NJ! We also have for a 3rd year in row Monster energy drink and this years newest addition COCOVITA!


Question: What are you most excited for in the lead up to The Golden Door International Film Festival?

Michele Sorvino: OMG everything it so exciting for me! I love the filmmakers, the cool venues , the planning of special events....So FUN! t The buzz that surrounds us at GDIFF is so exciting!


Question: What inspired you to create The Golden Door International Film Festival?

Michele Sorvino: My Husband actor Bill Sorvino was inspired to start the festival in his hometown of Jersey City, NJ after having a dream and presenting his dream to a bunch of Jersey City residents who jumped on board to help bring the cities festival to reality. Jersey City is very much an arts community so it makes sense to have the festival right outside of NYC.


Question: What's it like to work alongside your family in creating this film festival?

Michele Sorvino: It's kinda handy! I have to say it's great to be able bounce idea's off my husband Bill Sorvino , President of GDIFF while I am laying in bed. It's also kinda cool to reach out to the celebrities attached to the festival and bounce idea's and thoughts off of them! So to answer the question it's great!

Question: Are you surprised at the success The Golden Door International Film Festival has had, in such a short time?

Michele Sorvino: OMG I am always so humbled by the people willing to take a meeting with me! Huge company executives...celebrities....prestigious companies... I am truly blessed by these opportunities. I have to say that hard work pays off and working toward you goals is really important. You also need to show annual growth in many different area's. Every year the GDIFF team sits down and we round table on how can we make this experience better for everyone who attends the festival. I am always honored my the additional people who want to join our team!


Question: Can you tell us about The James Gandolfini Award?

Michele Sorvino: This is an award is in collaberation with the Fort Lee Film Commission. Executive Director Tom Meyers also a board member of GDIFF created this award and we host the Hudson County high school student awards. It can be any genre any length. You must be a Hudson County High School student to qualify. These "film makers of tomorrow" are the future Scorsece of the world. So we LOVE to treat them with the upmost respect for their work. I also feel that film makers, actors and directors should be encouraged to follow their dreams and passion in the arts!


Question: How did it feel to be voted Best Film Festival 2015?

Michele Sorvino: That was truly AMAZING!! I mean I have to say it was audience choice vote! It was over 10,000 voters and the company said we won by a lot! It's always awesome to be recognized simply by a nomination but to win .....seriously over the top!


Interview by Brooke Hunter