Blog: Film festivals

Big Dreams & Silver Screens presents the 7th Annual Westfield International Film Festival, (formerly Rahway International Film Festival)!

We offer a four day weekend with feature films, short films, seminars, Q&A's, parties and more! All of this in a gorgeous MANSION in Westfield, NJ. We look forward to treating you at the James Ward Mansion this year.

OUR MISSION:

Our mission is to provide an opportunity for artists worldwide to showcase works that educate, and inspire equality, empathy and awareness through film.

We believe that film can reach the mind and soul in ways nothing else can. For this reason, we present films that strive to promote equality, champion the oppressed and promote open-mindedness. We also offer seminars and workshops intended to engage and educate aspiring filmmakers and on-camera talent.

Our intent is to call attention to and encourage the artistic endeavors of women and minorities, whose work is often overlooked, and in so doing, fully advocate for equality.

We are committed to enhancing the creative community in the Tri-State area and providing a platform for both local and international storytellers to not only share their work but enjoy a place to forge new relationships for collaboration.

OUR STORY:

Westfield International Film Festival (a Big Dreams and Silver Screens production) is a non-profit international film festival first established in Rahway, New Jersey, U.S.A, only 40 minutes away from New York City. It was first held in June of 2013 in an effort to create a warm and welcoming home for independent filmmakers and fans of film in the Tri-State Area. We annually showcase short films, feature films and music videos while offering networking and workshop opportunities to those interested in the film industry.

As a women-led film festival in a primarily male-dominated film industry and in keeping with our mission of equality, we seek to present an equal ratio of films created by male and female filmmakers (Director/Writer/Producer/DP) from around the world. We also present the annual “Woman in Film Award” to honor and celebrate women in the film industry who exemplify our definition of success.

We are glad to be a part of the bustling downtown district of Westfield, NJ - one of the "happiest cities in New Jersey" - where we call The James Ward Mansion home. It is a unique, beautiful, and glamorous space in which we are happy to honor our hard-working filmmakers whom we feel deserve the full red-carpet treatment.

Big Dreams and Silver Screens is currently awaiting its 501c3 Non-Profit Status from the State of NJ. WIFF is a Big Dreams and Silver Screens production.

To learn more about Westfield International Film Festival, visit us here: www.westfieldfilmfest.com.