More than a decade after the popular Newark Film Festival ended its seven-year run , a new event is set to bring dozens of independent short films to Main Street.
The Newark Independent Film Festival will feature 49 films of all genres during a two-day event at Main Street Movies 5 in Newark Shopping Center on Aug. 9 and 10.
“I’m incredibly proud of this lineup. I think there are some ridiculously talented filmmakers that have submitted to this festival,” organizer Kazy Tauginas said. “People are going to be really amazed at the quality.”
The festival received submissions from as far away as Germany, and a number of Delaware filmmakers have work included in the festival as well.
The films are split into six blocks. Tickets are $15 per block and available online at newarkindependentfilmfestival.com.
“Every block is going to take audiences on a bit of a roller coaster,” Tauginas said. “You’re going to see something that might scare you a little bit, you might see something that makes you laugh, you might see something that just kind of wells up tears in your eyes. It’s really just all over the map.”
He said he hopes to give independent filmmakers a way to showcase their talent.
“There’s a lot of talented people that are good at what they do if they are just given a shot to show it,” he said. “I think that’s what’s so great about the festival, is you’re giving a shot to everyone to show their project.”
Independent filmmaking is a grind that Tauginas knows well.
An actor and filmmaker himself, he has written and starred in more than 20 independent films, including “Standing Eight,” which won awards at film festivals and is now streaming on Amazon Prime. Inspired by Tauginas’ mother’s fight against lupus, the film is about a boxer who is forced to retire and contend with life outside of the ring after being diagnosed with systemic lupus.
“I think independent voices that can be overlooked by studios might have some of the most interesting stories,” Tauginas said. “Instead of beating known IPs to death and making multiple sequels and spin-offs, there are independent voices that have new stories, new IPs, new ideas. They’re incredibly talented, and they’re ready.”
A native of Chicago, Tauginas first came to Newark to attend the University of Delaware, which he selected for its figure skating program. After college, he spent four years running the Korner Diner on Main Street.
He had always had a love for movies, but it was a chance encounter at the diner that caused him to catch the acting bug. A customer asked to use the diner to film a mock commercial and when one of the actors didn’t show up, Tauginas took his place. The customer told him he had a knack for acting, and the seed was planted.
After the diner closed in 2008, Tauginas moved to New York and attended the New York Film Academy. He went on to have an acting career that included guest spots in major television shows like “Person of Interest,” “Blindspot,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Turn: Washington’s Spies,” “Blue Bloods,” “The Good Cop” and “Sneaky Pete.” He has also appeared in several movies, including “The Equalizer 2,” starring Denzel Washington.
While auditioning for Hollywood roles, he also pursued his own projects.
“I’ve always encouraged my acting brethren, like, hey, you need to wear your producer hat, you need to wear your writer hat,” he said. “You have to think about doing things in between the time of when you’re actually working.”
During the pandemic, he moved back to Newark, where he works as a real estate agent and serves on the city’s planning commission while still pursuing independent film opportunities.
The film festival fulfills a vision Tauginas has had for several years.
“What this festival is really all about is celebrating diverse journeys that filmmakers have gone on and diverse stories that they’re telling,” he said. “And that’s why I’m so incredibly proud of our lineup because I feel like there’s going to be some thought-provoking films out there, and they’re going to hit everyone differently.”
Along with showcasing filmmakers, Tauginas also wants the festival to showcase Newark as a city.
“Newark is an ideal place for a film festival. Main Street is almost like a mini Park City,” he said, referring to the small Utah town that hosts the prestigious Sundance Film Festival.
Many of the filmmakers and attendees coming into Newark are staying at the new Hyatt Place hotel on Main Street, and Tauginas expects them to patronize local restaurants and bars before and after the shows, providing a boost to businesses during a traditionally slower time of the year.
“The accessibility and walkability of the downtown area is really a draw,” he said. “If we continue doing this year after year, I think it can be something great for the community.”
Newark Independent Film Festival lineup
Block 1, Aug. 9, 4 p.m.
All Four Won - The troubled lives of four young brothers are put to the test when they become the unexpected new guardians of their baby sister.
Poker Match - A group of independent intervention agents must operate at Reck's mansion and chaos ensues.
The Bottle - A grieving man’s life takes an unexpected turn when his message in a bottle receives an odd reply back.
Beer Can: A Love Story - Dive into the love triangle of the craft beer world.
Shakespeare for All Ages - Shakespeare's works are timeless and this film proves it!
Sandalen mit Socken - A Latin American immigrant in Berlin tries to adapt to German customs and habits. Will she end up being more papist than the pope?
As Easy As Closing Your Eyes - A grieving mother battles her addiction to a black-market drug that gives her life-like dreams about the son she lost.
Block 2 – Aug. 9. 6:30 p.m.
Kira Vs. Everyone – Sen. Horace Black is hunted down by an unknown presence.
The Space Between - Two college students happen to meet at a party and form a deep connection.
F3EVER - The journey of Andrew "3D Dance Fever" Jones who defies societal expectations as a street dancer,
Va Bene Cosi - A woman visits Italy in an attempt to heal after a failed relationship.
The Fast Track Program - Ambitious executive Christina Drago moves quickly to obliterate the glass ceiling.
Amityville Vs. The Galactic Schoolgirls - Three gangsters' stay in an Airbnb takes a wild turn when a spaceship lands.
Ork - A group of vikings attempt the long journey back to their village when they encounter something far from this world.
Block 3 – Aug. 10, 11 a.m.
Office Chatter - Four wildly different co-workers arrive and get ready for the morning meeting.
Come As Your Are - After a severe head injury, a star high school athlete explores his hidden musical talent.
Supply and Demand - Two best friends try to pay off a debt to a local drug dealer.
Good Grief - An ambitious young woman comes to terms with the death of the boy she loved.
Drop Point Compromised - One car. One job. One dead body. What could go wrong?
Bloody Shame - A naive actress stumbles into the wrong producer's office...what happens next is a bloody shame.
Botch - A medieval fantasy adventure unfolds until a sudden twist reveals the true nature of events.
Block 4 – Aug. 10, 1:30 p.m.
Millie's Carefree Day - Millie tries to escape the daily grind and confront her trauma before it consumes her.
Lunch - Sometimes lunch is more than a meal.
F-Therapy - A troubled man seeks counseling from a young therapist. Personalities clash and truths are revealed.
Notes On A Page - A middle-aged mother navigates life’s challenges, fueling her through an exercise in finding her voice.
Canvas - Jackson, a Vietnam War veteran, uses his art to work through his trauma and PTSD.
The Man From Grenada - An actor must win the lead role in a stage play to capture the heart of the actress he loves.
Heart Of Gold - A young girl experiences difficulties adapting to a new environment.
Ethereal - A pragmatist must learn astral projection to access limbo and bring back the consciousness of his beloved wife.
Heirlooms - An isolated elderly woman's routine is disrupted when her granddaughter comes to live with her.
Once Upon A Dime - Nkosi plans and executes the perfect date, but we realize that things aren’t quite what they seem.
Block 5 – Aug. 10, 4 p.m.
Caterpillar - The world is consumed by social media, hushed struggles lurk beneath the glamorous facade.
The Last Robbery - The boys shake down a bank and get more than they bargained for.
Lost and Found - Ellen is bitten by a zombie but before she dies, she is determined to find the child she adopted.
The Snatchers - Two Pakistani brothers plot to rob a rich property owner.
The Fox - While mourning the loss of his friend, grief-stricken Alex must confront the past in order to move on with his life.
When The World Changes - Uncover the history of the Jeju Massacre as well as its links to modern day Korean politics.
Birds of The Air - Shar's first day presenting as a woman in public but she’s not out to her family yet.
Bay for Blood - Two roommates hide to mend their issues as Jessica finds herself contemplating the best way to handle the situation.
Queen of Magic - A Victorian aristocrat pursues a career in the male-dominated world of magic.
Block 6 – Aug. 10, 6:30 p.m.
Chocolate Milk - A young girl challenges her parents to drink chocolate milk in hopes of bringing them closer together.
Time - When the artificial becomes real.
Carvers - A young man mourning the loss of his mother begins to experience a terrifying transformation.
Cruel and Unusual Therapy - Seeing a therapist is hard. Breaking up with one is harder.
Cruel and Unusual Therapy Too - Lianne goes on a wild goose chase to find a therapist who won't drag her mind into the gutter. All from the comfort of her couch, courtesy of a worldwide pandemic and the virtual world of telehealth.
Louie's Big Break - Louie’s memorable audition puts him on a path to superstardom.
Memory Card - A blogger reveals that hidden coordinates in several PlayStation One games lead to a coveted memory card.
Kinderwhore - A teenager who is considered a Sexpert by her friends is challenged to face her fear of losing her child-self.
Brotherhood - Two brothers are forced to come to terms after years of strained familial dynamics.
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