23rd Annual Garden State Film Festival Kicks off March 27th, 2025 with over 200 Films at 9 Jersey Venues

The Garden State Film Festival kicks off on March 27th and presents a wide variety of feature films, documentaries, shorts, panel discussions and celebrity appearances. Whether you are a movie fan or an aspiring filmmaker, the festival offers a host of opportunities as a reasonable price. Read on for highlights and details or visit  https://www.gsff.org/

Feel Good Interview with Academy Award Nominee Amy Irving of "Yentl", "Crossing Delancey" and More — 10 Things To Know About Her: Listen to her New Album "Always Will Be"

By: Markos Papadatos

Amy Irving is a classically trained actress. From an early age, Amy Irving was a soulful ingénue and leading lady in the 1970s and 1980s, moving effortlessly from dramas like "Carrie" (1976) and "Yentl" (1983) to comedies like "Micki + Maude" (1984) and "Crossing Delancey" (1988). An Oscar and Golden Globe nominee, she moved into indies in the 1990s before returning to play more mature and complex roles in "Traffic" (2001) and "Hide and Seek" (2005). Irving remained a well-respected presence in films and on stage and television.

Her upcoming studio album “Always Will Be” will be released on April 25th via Queen Of The Castle Records/Missing Piece Records. She shared 10 interesting and exciting things about herself.

Origin 1st Irish 2025 17th Annual Festival Presents 11 Local and Irish Plays in Venues Around NC April 1 - 28th, 2025

11 PRODUCTIONS IN COMPETITION COMING TO ORIGIN 1st IRISH 2025

17^TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL RUNS APRIL 1 TO 28 IN VENUES ACROSS NEW YORK

FISHAMBLE’S “FIGHT NIGHT” OPENS FESTIVAL

 

Origin 1^st Irish 2025 is presenting 5 Irish imports and 6 locally-produced plays as part of this year’s theater festival.  The 17^th annual edition of the only festival of its kind devoted to producing and presenting the theatrical work of contemporary Irish playwrights from around the world takes place from April 1 to April 28 in three boroughs. Read on for the complete schedule.

IN COMPETITION FROM IRELAND AND NORTHERN IRELANDCOMPETITION FROM IRELAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND

Interview with Playwright Pamela Weiler Grayson - All About Urban Momfare, and Living, Parenting and Writing in New York City

By Suzanne Ordas Curry

I had the pleasure of meeting Pamela Weiler Grayson at a lovely New Year's brunch on the Upper East Side in Manhattan. I found out we had some mutual friends, and also about her new album for Urban Momfare that would be streaming which she was very excited about. Read on to see what it's all about and how this mom finds inspiration to keep creating.

SuzeeBTS: You are a prolific writer and lyricist.  Please tell me about Urban Momfare, how it came to be and where it played.

Pamela Weiler Grayson: I used to be a freelance writer for many years, and I mostly wrote essays and humor pieces about being a mom on the Upper East Side. I grew up there and also raised my kids there, too (and still live there!). 

NJ/NY Area Event: Women's Rights Information Center in Englewood, NJ Presents FREE Event: Book Fair and Author's Showcase Featuring About, For and By Women at BergenPAC

Women's Rights Information Center (WRIC), a nonprofit organization based in New Jersey, invites the community to attend a FREE BOOK FAIR and author’s showcase in honor of Women’s History Month on Thursday, March 27th, at 11:00 a.m. - 2 p.m. This is a FREE event and will take place at Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) located at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood, New Jersey. 

In recognition of Women’s History Month, WRIC is hosting its inaugural Book Fair. This year's theme is "Moving Forward Together: Women Educating and Inspiring Generations." The event will feature author friends of WRIC, including women authors and our male allies, who will share their stories through their books. 

New York City Event: Free Screening of the Film "Lilly" Presented by Women in the Arts Media Coalition - See the Story of the Trailblazer Lilly Ledbetter and Hear Talkback as Part of Women's History Month

FREE EVENT: Attend a free screening of the movie LILLY, with a talkback after as part of Women's History Month The event will take place on Saturday, March 29th from 2-5pm at the SVA Theater, 333 West 23rd Street in New York City.

This event is presented as part of Women in the Arts Day 2025 by the Women In Arts Coalition in collaboration with Herflix.com, WomenArts, SAG-AFTRA, The School of Visual Arts BA Program Department and New York Women in Film and Television.

Lilly stars Patricia Clarkson as a factory worker who stands up to corruption in her workplace, an Alabama factory. It is the true story of a courageous woman, Lilly Ledbetter which will inspire anyone who fights for justice and equal pay. See below to RSVP.

Interview with Author and Influencer Danielle Sherman-Lazar's Book - Her Book "Mothers Are Made" Is a Must-Read Memoir and Guide for Accepting, Living and Learning from Challenges

 

Danielle Sherman-Lazar from Tenafly, New Jersey is a well-known social media entrepreneur, influencer, mental health advocate, author, and mother of four. In her new deeply personal memoir about motherhood, "Mothers are Made" she emphasizes how the everyday challenges mothers face can foster greater assertiveness, courage, and effectiveness in parenting. In her book she emphasizes how when mothers go through challenges, we become better, happier, and stronger moms.
 
"Mothers Are Made: How One Mom Overcame Perfectionism, Self-Doubt, Loneliness, and Anxiety to Become a Better and Happier Parent," is published by Alcove Press and available at most major booksellers. 

Suzee: "Mothers are Made" was born out of your journey through motherhood. I love the title and being a mom, I get it. Tell me about what's in the book. 

Danielle Sherman-Lazar: In Mother’s Are Made I talk about how mothers are not simply born alongside their babies; instead, we are shaped by time and experience. It is through facing difficulties—going through the fire—that we develop resilience, bravery, and courage.

Special OSCARS Interview: Zoe Saldaña and Camille of "Emilia Perez" Talk About their Oscar Wins, Adversity and Working with Incredible Women

By: Markos Papadatos at the 2025 Oscars in LA

Zoe Saldaña and Camille were the two sole female Academy Award winners for the musical crime drama "Emilia Perez" for "Supporting Actress" and "Best Original Song" respectively (out of 13 nomination). Both participated in Oscars Press Room interviews following their wins.

Zoe Saldaña

Saldaña won her first-ever Oscar for “Best Supporting Actress” for her acting work in “Emilia Perez” as Rita Mora Castro. She triumphed over her fellow nominees Ariana Grande ("Wicked"), Monica Barbaro ("A Complete Unknown"), Isabella Rossellini ("Conclave"), and Felicity Jones ("The Brutalist"). 

Broadway Show Review: From the West End, Operation Mincemeat at the Golden Theater Will Make You Sing, Dance and Hug Your Loved Ones

By Messalina Morley-Alton

On Saturday night, I was lucky enough to experience an incredible new Musical called “Operation Mincemeat”. It won 2024 Oliver Awards for Best New Musical, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, and Best Company Ensemble in London and has now travelled across the pond to Broadway! Set in Britain during World War II, this comedic and yet deeply moving production takes its audience through the inner workings of one of the less known, but incredibly important, military operations the Allied Forces undertook. 

For a time steeped in so much tragedy, this musical is able to balance the care and sensitivity needed whilst also bringing great comedic moments that will have you laughing off your seat. There were many times when I was not sure if I was crying from sadness or laughter. It truly exemplified the human condition.

Let Them Eat Cake Presents "Cirque du Gold Standard" An Evening of Amazing Aerialist Prowess at The Slipper Room, New York City on April 2, 2025

Defying age and gravity, Cirque du Gold Standard will present an electrifying night of aerial and circus arts showcasing the raw power, grace and sensuality of performers over age 50 for one night only on Wednesday, April 2 at the iconic Slipper Room (167 Orchard Street, New York NY) . Presented by Let Them Eat Cake, this event will present New York City’s best professional and amateur performers spanning the ages 53 – 70. For tickets visit:   https://tinyurl.com/Cirque-Du-Gold-Standard
 

Performers Scheduled

Among the performers are Kristin Olness, who played Helga in the award-winning 1998 Broadway revival of Cabaret, as well as the 2014 revival. She has enjoyed an extensive career as a singer, dancer and aerialist across the country and around the world.

Females in Entertainment: Filmmaker/Actress Amanda Jane Stern Talks about Her New Movie "Perfectly Good Moment" And How it Reflects Relationships in Today's Society

Editor;s Note - As part of our commitment to focus on females in entertainment, we interview young filmmaker Amanda Jane Stern, whose first feature, Perfectly Good Moment, is now streaming.

Suzee: What is this movie about?

Amanda Jane Stern: Perfectly Good Moment is about a couple, David and Ruby, who have been in an on-and-off again relationship for the last 8 years. When they first met, Ruby was 19 and David was 34. This time, Ruby has returned with more than a reunion in mind. You can view it here:

https://tubitv.com/movies/100026616/perfectly-good-moment

Suzee: Where did the idea for Perfectly Good Moment Come from? How long did it take you to write it and what was the process like?

Nora Armani's Socially Relevant Film Festival Runs March 11-16th 2025 in New York City - See 45 Brilliant Films Made for an Impact, Reflecting Current Issues

New York City's premiere festival for change for good, the SR Socially Relevant™ Film Festival starts on March 11, 2025 and runs until March 16, 2025 at official venues throughout the city.

SRFF 2025, the festival's 12th annual edition, opens at the National Arts Club in Gramercy Square with a red carpet at 5:30 PM and a program starting at 6:00 PM. Our Guest of Honor is Social Media Star and influencer Dorothy Wiggins who at 99 inspires many with her mindful lifestyle. The SRFF 2025 Special Honor Awardee is actor, writer, and producer Karren Karagulian, who plays Toros in Sean Baker's award-winning film, Anora.