Word is catching on about the RE:IMAGE Film Festival, the now three-year-old diocesan initiative that celebrates the use of film and digital media to reflect God’s love and Gospel values.  As the upcoming festival draws near, we are seeing a growing interest in the diocese with local filmmakers, particularly among youth, and those who want to experience the event and see the films selected for screening.

The festival, set for May 6 in the Algonquin Arts Theater in Manasquan, is intended to be both inspirational and catechetical, and has the potential of engaging all who are involved in the mission of “re:imaging” today’s culture to reflect the sacredness and dignity of the human person and the beauty of all of God’s creation.

We are pleased to share with you that the number of entries received from filmmakers in the Diocese of Trenton has nearly tripled this year. Among the 20 short films in competition and additional films selected for exhibition will be works by filmmakers from Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville; Monsignor Donovan High School, Toms River; St. Leo the Great Parish, Lincroft; St. Mark Parish, Sea Girt; St. Paul Parish, Princeton; St. James Parish and Red Bank Catholic High School, Red Bank; St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square; St. Pius X, Forked River; St. Thomas More Parish, Manalapan, St. Ann Parish and the Catholic Campus Ministry at Rider University, both in Lawrenceville.

After a full afternoon of viewing, panel discussions by filmmakers and an awards ceremony, the RE:IMAGE Film Festival will wrap up with a 7 p.m. screening of the feature-length motion picture, “The Way,” starring Martin Sheen as a pilgrim walking “The Way of St. James” to honor his son’s memory. This inspirational and cinematic treasure, written and directed by Emilio Estevez, was filmed in the Pyrenees Mountains and along small villages of France and Spain and offers a wonderful testament to the mission of the festival.  “The Way” promises to be the subject of conversation when guests gather for a dessert reception which will cap off the evening.

This extraordinary day is again made possible by the vision and dedication of the RE:IMAGE Film Festival Committee, which includes representatives of the Departments of Radio and Television; Media and Public Relations; The Monitor, and Youth, Marriage and Family, as well as our independent partners.  Their tireless work and the wider support of many other diocesan and local staff, volunteers and ministry leaders, has helped the festival become the full and inspiring day that we know it will be on May 6.

At less than the cost of going to a single movie, a ticket to the RE:IMAGE Film Festival offers a full experience that will take viewers on a journey of human trials and triumphs and send us off with images and stories we will surely carry in our hearts.  We invite you to treat yourself to this unique event, and bring along your friends and relatives to share the day with. See you at the movies!