Teaneck International Film Festival Runs November 6-13th - Opening Film "The Disappearance of Miss Scott" and Closing Film, "Lilly" Sandwiches a Festival Packed with Doc, Shorts, Student Films and More for All In-Person and Streaming

The Teaneck International Film Festival unveils its 20th anniversary roster!  A project of The Puffin Foundation Ltd., the 20th anniversary festival will be held November 6-13, 2025, featuring over 25 films, panel discussions, awards, and parties with filmmakers, actors, elected officials and industry guests attending.     The film festival with a social conscience is committed to telling stories that need to be heard, and inspiring thoughtful discussion, involvement, and activism. The narrative features, documentaries, and shorts cover a broad range of subjects that are of concern to all: civil rights, women’s rights, immigration, threats to free speech, the unhoused and food insecurity, LGBTQ+ concerns, the environment, and more.

NY/NJ Area Event: Experience a Magical Holiday Season at New Jersey Performing Arts Center: Shows Include Chevy Chase, Trisha Yearwood, A John Denver Christmas, Cece Winans and More, Many Family-Friendly

 

Looking for something fun to do with the family for the holidays? NJ Performing Arts Center, located in Newark, NJ, conveniently located less than an hour from New York City and available by many forms of transit, has a host of events sure to get you in the holiday spirit.  Experience the magic of celebration through spectacular concert performances and beloved holiday classics. This season promises to be filled with laughter, cheer, and the spirit of togetherness as NJPAC transforms into a holiday haven for everyone. Be captivated by the enchanting melodies of Trisha Yearwood (12/5) as she brings heartfelt warmth to the season, or enjoy the nostalgic charm of "John Denver Christmas" a heartfelt tribute led by renowned performer Rick Schuler on (11/30) Don’t miss the soul-stirring holiday gospel sensation of CeCe Winans as she will perform for two nights (12/19 and 12/20) to what will be a sold out audience.

Coverage and Photos of Healing TREE's 10 Annual Star-Studded Gala at the Players Club in Manhattan - with Marissa Ghavami, Kevin Kilner, John Magaro, N'Kenge, Christina Bianco, Poova Mohseni, Mia Pinero and More

by Suzanne Ordas Curry

I recently went to the Healing TREE's 10th Annual Gala at the beautiful Players Club in New York City. Though it was an event to raise money for a mental health disorder, I found it did my mental health a world of good.

It was one of the most beautiful and interesting fundraising galas I have attended in quite some time. First, the location was superb. The Players Club is a unique 1847 Guilded Age mansion at 16 Grammercy Park South in New York City. The period architecture is complemented by halls decked with framed photos of their members going back over 100 years. Most people will be able to recognize some of their favorite actors from past and present on the walls. The building was the home of renowned actor Edwin Booth.   

The event was black-tie event. The cocktail reception was held in the front room, overlooking the street. We were serenaded by the melodic, soothing tunes of the American Jazz Band Annie Hägg’s Hot Five. Also, Magician and Mentalist Dan Winter provided pre-show entertainment.

Bookends in NJ Hosts Author Book Signings by Candance Cameron Bure, Kenny Chesney, Rainn Wilson, Katherine Schwarzenegger, Nia Sioux, Michelle Maros, Andrew Simern and Barton Seaver and Darryl DMC McDaniels

Fall is always the time for major book launches, and Bookends, a quick ride from New York City is a favorite stop of many an author. With ample parking, and a set-up that allows for access to the author - usually with a picture of the purchaser - it's a great way to meet your favorite author or celebrity. Bookends also coordinates with larger venues for some of the most most popular authors. The fall lineup continues with Candance Cameron Bure, Kenny Chesney, Rainn Wilson, Katherine Schwarzenegger, Nia Sioux, Michelle Maros, Andrew Simern and Barton Seaver and Darryl DMC McDaniels. More authors are always added. Visit https://www.book-ends.org/ for more info and updates.

Note: See our interview with Candance Cameron Bure: https://www.suzeebehindthescenes.com/2024/06/feel-good-interview-series-candace.html

Feel - Good Interview: Get to Know Actor Bill Alverson of Lifetime's "A Sorority Mom's Guide To Rush", Netflix's "Insatiable" And More

By Suzanne Ordas Curry

Actor Bill Alverson has been seen recently on Lifetime's new series A Sorority Mom's Guide to Rush! In addition he's known for titles Coach Charming TLC and Netflix's Insatiable. We got to learn a little more about him.

SBTS: Tell me about your most recent project on Lifetime.

Bill Alverson: A Sorority Mom's Guide to Rush, on Lifetime TV (streaming on mylifetime.com and Apple TV and Amazon) is a show centered on the relationship between mothers and daughters as they prepare and navigate sorority rush. My role is one of a Rush Coach that takes a form of life coaching and being self aware of your own identity and what you goals and priorities are which lead to a discovery of your purpose. A side emphasis is the aspect of a mother and encouraging their daughters to make independent choices. 

Feel Good Interview Series: Ian Somerhalder of "The Vampire Diaries" - 10 Things to Know About Him - and His Amazing Work for the Environment: Book Signing in LA 10/29

By: Markos Papadatos

Ian Somerhalder is known for his starring role in "The Vampire Diaries." He is also an environmental activitst, who serves as an executive producer of such environmental documentaries as "Kiss the Ground" and "Common Ground."

On October 29th, Somerhalder and environmental documentary director Josh Tickell will host a book signing of his book "Kiss the Ground" at the Barnes and Noble at The Grove in Los Angeles. To learn more about this book signing event, click here.

Ian's Favorite Movies

Somerhalder revealed that his favorite movies are "spaghetti westerns."

Feel Good Interview Series: Robert Scott Wilson of "Days of Our Lives" - 11 Things to Know About Him Including How He Feels About Robert Redford

By: Markos Papadatos

Robert Scott Wilson sat down and chatted with this journalist at Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront in Wilmington, North Carolina for an in-person interview.

Wilson was a part of an inaugural fan event that was hosted by Amanda Ramirez and her family as part of the 10th anniversary of Team Rob Wilson.

Wilson plays the roles of Alex Kiriakis and Ben Weston in the hit Peacock daytime drama “Days of Our Lives.” He also starred in the movie "Papa," which was written and directed by Dan Israely. 

He shared 10 interesting and exciting things about himself, and as a bonus, he opened up about his love and respect for the late but great Robert Redford.

Feel - Good Interviews with Christmas Movie Actors - See if We Have the Details from Your Favorite Actors from Hallmark, Great American Family, Lifetime and More

At SuzeeBehindtheScenes we love the holiday movies! And over the past couple of years I and my staff  - thank you especially to Markos Papadatos - have interviewed quite of lot of actors who we all know and love from the cable Christmas made-for-tv genre movies.

Here's a list of most of them, but check in frequently as we'll have more coming

Feel-Good Interviews - Get to Know Your Favorite Actors from the Beloved TV Christmas Movies

Grab the Hot Cocoa - Great American Family Stellar Christmas Movie Lineup 2025 starts October 9th with 16 New Movies

The season for Christmas movies has begun! Grab a blanket, your hot cocoa and settle in for some great viewing.

Great American Media unveils the media company’s highly anticipated Original premiere schedule for Great American Christmas 2025 on Great American Pure Flix, Great American Family, and GFAM+. Great American Christmas officially begins streaming exclusively on Great American Pure Flix, beginning October 9 and begins on Great American Family and GFAM+ Friday, October 10. Great American Christmas, one of the most popular Christmas program events, celebrates its 5th anniversary in 2025.

 “As we celebrate the fifth year of Great American Christmas, it is a reminder of just how special this tradition has become. Our storytelling is rooted in faith, family, and the true spirit of the season – Christmas as it is meant to be,” said Bill Abbott, President & CEO, Great American Media. “Each year, we strive to create films that not only warm hearts but also bring people together in joy and reflection. Reaching this milestone reinforces our commitment to offering viewers stories that honor timeless values and the wonder of Christmas,” Abbott concluded.

Interview: Multi-Hyphenate Actor Marissa Ghavami Shares Her Story of Trauma, Healing and Then Spreading Hope and Awareness Through Film: The Non-Profit Healing TREE Hosts NYC Gala With Celebrity Appearances October 18th, 2025

Interview by Suzanne Ordas Curry

Marissa Ghavami is a multi-hyphenate, who started this amazing journey at a  young age. She is an actor, singer, voice over artist, producer, public speaker, coach and founder of a non-profit. I met her through a mutual friend while producing the film Killian and the Comeback Kids many years ago. We've kept in touch on her many new projects.

SBTS: Tell me how you got into acting.

Marissa Ghavami: I’ve felt drawn to acting for as long as I can remember. I first fell in love with it through old movie musicals. I was absolutely obsessed. I would act out the entirety of My Fair Lady, Bye Bye Birdie and The Sound of Music in front of a camcorder in my living room at 5 years old. I’d act and sing and dance all the parts and find household items for props and costumes.

Visions and Pathways Holds Fundraiser for New Building - Professional Athletes Stephen Baker, Shannon Briggs, Stanley McClover Come out To Support Youth - Photos and Video

By Suzanne Ordas Curry

Golfers, men and women alike, a few football players, a boxer and many more came out for the Second Annual Visions and Pathways Golf Outing. Vision and Pathways is a nonprofit in New Jersey dedicated to helping those who have aged out of the system and older teens make their way in this world. They provide programs and services and their goal right now is to build more housing for them with their Bridge Capital Campaign Fund. Visit VisionsandPathways.org.

The setting was the beautiful Basking Ridge Country Club in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Host Shelli Stelmak of Shelli Stelmak TV did a wonderful job talking about the organization and to the dedicate staff and volunteers who put their all into the organization. 

Feel Good Interview Series: Milo Callaghan of 'The Rainmaker' - Did you know he might have been a lawyer?

 

By: Markos Papadatos

Milo Callaghan is a British film and TV actor, who is known for his roles in "Doctor Who,"  "Rivals" and "Spanish Princess." He is poised for superstardom. 

He is now starring in the new Peacock series "The Rainmaker," which is based on the John Grisham book of the same name and the 1997 film adaptation that stars Matt Damon. Callaghan plays the role of Rudy Baylor.

He went on to share 10 interesting and exciting things about himself.

Feel-Good Interview Series - Get to Know Michelle Clunie of "Teen Wolf", "Queer as Folk", and "Pen Pals" in NYC - 10 Things to Know About Her

By: Markos Papadatos 

Michelle Clunie is an American actress and screenwriter. In 1992, she starred in a California-based production of "A Comedy of Eros," prior to making her film debut in the slasher film "Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday." Clunie gained international attention and acclaimed for her portrayal of Melanie Marcus in the hit Showtime series "Queer as Folk." She subsequently starred in "Make It or Break It" and then, she played Mrs. Finch in MTV's "Teen Wolf." 

Most recently, Clunie played the role of Bernie in the Off-Broadway production of "Pen Pals" opposite Meagan Follows (as Mags). She shared 10 things about herself.

Event: Joan's Joy Foundation Presents Annual Child Safety Festival - Free Event of Fun and Learning for Your Family in North Jersey

On September 27th, 2025 in Hillsdale, NJ, enjoy a day of festivities and learning for the whole family while helping to support the Joan's Joy Foundation, a non-profit founded by a local woman, Rosemarie D'allesandro. Decades ago her daughter Joan was killed while delivering cookies by a neighbor and since then she has been on a mission to stop this kind of violence. In addition to having been responsible for the passage of several ground-breaking laws to ensure that people who murder children remain behind bars, she runs a program to help children be more safe in their every day lives.  You can see more of Rosemarie's story in this interview here on The LIBBY Show on Youtube.

Details on the Child Safely Festival are below. You can also visit JoansJoy.org.

Review: Kebab aur Sharab - An Indian Restaurant in the Heart of NYC that Serves Up the Best of Indian Food and Hospitality

By Suzanne Ordas Curry

I didn’t know what to expect because I haven’t been too many Indian restaurants, but when I walked into Sharab aur Kebab, I felt like I was walking into an Indian restaurant smack in the heart of India and that I knew the family.

There was such a friendly, welcoming vibe in the restaurant. I could feel how much the owners cared about the food and their patrons. The food and the culture were bringing people together, and that was the goal of the owners. 

I have to admit I was invited by one of the owners, who had served on a non-profit Board with me. But that didn't matter, as I could see how every other patron was treated with the same respect and hospitality. With the delicious scents of all of the food being served, I knew I was in for a feast. 

As I have not eaten much Indian food in the past, they were very helpful and overly welcoming explaining to me that all of the foods of the sumptuous feast that they were bringing. I was about to experience the best of Kebab aur Sharab.

Feel Good Interview Series: Megan Follows of "Anne of Green Gables", "Reign'" and "Pen Pals" Off Broadway - 10 Things to Know About Her

By: Markos Papadatos

Canadian actress and filmmaker Megan Follows is best-known for playing Anne Shirley in “Anne of Green Gables,” as well as for her acting work as Catherine de’ Medici (Queen of France) in “Reign.” 

Most recently, she starred in the Off-Broadway show "Pen Pals" opposite Michelle Clunie, who is known from "Queer as Folk" and "Teen Wolf."

Follows shared 10 interesting and fun things about herself.

Lauren Ash Debuts New Album "Call Me When You Get This" - You May Know Her from The TV Shows Superstore and Not Dead Yet But She's Also A Chart-Topping Musical Artist

Lauren Ash is ready to rock – unfiltered, unguarded, and louder than ever. The award-winning actress and comedian has announced the release of her debut album, Call Me When You Get This, dropping September 11, 2025. Find here.

With Call Me When You Get This, Ash proves she’s not just stealing scenes—she’s stealing hearts and shredding expectations with gut-punching, emotionally charged pop-punk anthems. Fueled by the fallout of a blindsiding breakup, the album is a high-voltage concept record that turns heartbreak into rock catharsis, with all songs co-written by Ash.

Feel Good Interview Series: Madison Lawlor of "The Conjuring: Last Rites" and "Theater is Dead" — 10 Things to Know About Her

By Markos Papadatos

Madison Lawlor stars as Young Lorraine in “The Conjuring: Last Rites” (where Oscar nominee Vera Farmiga plays the older version) and she starred in the Passionflix movie “Wait with Me.”

She has a new movie “Theater is Dead” that she has co-written and co-produced that is coming out in September, and it’s premiering at Fantastic Fest. She went on to share 10 interesting and exicting things about herself. 

Her Favorite Movies

Her favorite movies are “Into the Wild,” “Her” (with Joaquin Phoenix), “Legally Blonde,” and “When Harry Met Sally.”

On This Stage of Her Life

NY Area Event: Trent Dawson's Katonah Classic Stage Announces Two Plays Together - Miss Julie and Venus in Fur in October 2025

Katonah Classic Stage Announces the Bold Repertory Production of Miss Julie and Venus in Fur, two plays  across time that explore power, desire, and identity.

Katonah Classic Stage (KCS), Westchester’s critically acclaimed professional theatre company, proudly announces its upcoming repertory production of August Strindberg’s Miss Julie and David Ives’ Venus in Fur. These two electrifying plays, performed in rotating repertory for the first time in history, promise an unforgettable theatrical experience that explores power, gender, seduction, and class with searing intensity and surprising resonance.

Though written over a century apart, Miss Julie (1888) and Venus in Fur (2010) offer audiences a compelling dialogue across time. Strindberg’s naturalistic tragedy and Ives’ modern, metafictional comedy both center on explosive encounters between men and women, where roles blur, dominance shifts, and nothing is quite as it seems. 

The Sustain - A Workshop of a New Musical by Pamela Weiler Grayson and Alice Jankell to Be Performed in New York City September 2025

The new musical, THE SUSTAIN, co-written by Pamela Weiler Grayson and Alice Jankell, with music by Aaron Drescher, is getting a NYC workshop this September.

The show runs September 18th-21st (5 performances) at the American Theatre of Actors  (314 W. 54th Street). Theatre Now New York (TNNY) is producing, and the director is NJ Agwuna. Musical Director is Dave Klodowski.

The show features Mary Stout, Allyson Tucker, Gregory North, Robert Vincent Smith, Jo Yang, Iliana Guibert, Emily Jewell, Claire McClanahan and Gregory Meyers.ThF

THE SUSTAIN is an intimate musical about love, relationships and connection in an assisted living facility told through an indie rock score and interwoven stories of its elderly residents, the staff who takes care of them, and the lives they leave behind outside as they start a new chapter.  

Feel Good Interview Series: Get to Know Influencer and Firefighter Isaac Ramirez - also of "Finding Mr. Christmas" on Hallmark — 10 Things You May Not Know About Himow About Him

By: Markos Papadatos

Isaac Ramirez starred in the first season of the reality series "Finding Mr. Christmas" on Hallmark. He is also a social influencer, California firefighter, entrepreneur, model, and up-and-coming actor. He shared 10 interesting and fun things about himself.

Isaac's Favorite Flick

His favorite film is “Gladiator” with Russell Crowe. “Russell did such a great job! I get emotional to this day watching that movie,” he admitted. “What a guy!”

Favorite Series

His favorite series to binge is “Peaky Blinders,” which features the character Thomas Shelby (played by Oscar winner Cillian Murphy). “If I can play any role, I would love to play that one,” he said. “It’s a very serious role, a very slow one. All the cast and crew did a great job on it. The dialogue was amazing!”

Feel Good Interview Series: Logan Henderson of Big Time Rush — 11 Things to Know About Him

By: Markos Papadatos

Logan Henderson is one of the band members of the boy band Big Time Rush, who are also known from the hit Nickelodeon series of the same name, where ironically enough, he played the character Logan Mitchell. As a solo artist, he is known for his smash debut single "Sleepwalker."

This past July, Biog Time Rush brought their "In Real Life" Tour to Jones Beach on Long Island, New York. Logan took some time from his schedule to sit down and answer from fun and exciting questions with this journalist.

Logan Henderson's Favorite Movie

He revealed that his favorite movie is “Weapons.” "It's a scary movie and I’m a big horror film buff," he admitted.

Feel Good Interview Series: Get to Know Katie Cassidy of '"Arrow", "Gossip Girl", "A Christmas Crush" and More and Daughter of David Cassidy

By: Markos Papadatos

Katie Cassidy is known for her acting work in such hit series as "Arrow," "Supernatural," and "Gossip Girl."

Most recently, Katie and her brother Beau were a part of the naming of the street "David Cassidy Way," the street he was born and raised, in West Orange, New Jersey.

In her personal life, she has been dating Canadian actor Stephen Huszar since 2023; they met while they were filming the Hallmark rom-com "A Royal Christmas Crush."

She shared 10 interesting and exciting things about herself.

Katie Cassidy's Favorite Flicks

Her favorite movies are "True Romance" and "Shawshank Redemption."

Exclusive: What it Was Like at the Homecoming Premiere of Johnny Wactor’s Final Film ‘Ciao, Mama’ in Charleston, South Carolina

By: Markos Poapadatos

On Saturday, August 9th, the homecoming premiere of Johnny Wactor’s last-ever movie “Ciao, Mama” took place at the American Theater in Charleston, South Carolina.

Prior to this, it had its world premiere at the Dances With Films in Hollywood on June 24th, 2025.

This invite-only event featured family members, friends and friendly acquaintances of the late but great Johnny Wactor, who was tragically killed in downtown Los Angeles due to an attempted catalytic converter theft incident back on May 25th, 2024.