Honorary Chair- Brian Cheripka
GSFF is proud to announce Brian Cheripka as the 2018 Honorary Chair. Brian serves as Senior Vice President of Land and Development of iStar. He is directly responsible for one of iStar’s largest land assets, the redevelopment of the Asbury Park Waterfront.Mr. Cheripka received a B.A. from Villanova University, where he was the recipient of the George C. Marshall Leadership Award. Upon graduation, he spent four years on active duty, serving as a U.S. Army Ranger assigned to the 101st Airborne Division.We are thrilled to honor him!
Lifetime Achievement- Xander Berkeley
Xander Berkeley may be best-known for his role as ‘Gregory’ in AMC’s critically-acclaimed television series “The Walking Dead,”. Xander has two new films coming out early in 2018, “Proud Mary” and “Labyrinth. In addition to his acting talents, he is an accomplished painter, sculptor, and make-up artist. Berkeley made his film debut in “Mommie Dearest” and has since amassed over 231 television and film credits. With roles in obscure independent films to big budget studio motion pictures, Berkeley has worked with some of the industry’s most renowned directors, including Ron Howard, Clint Eastwood, Steven Spielberg, Michael Mann and Wolfgang Petersen. Bravo Xander!!
MVP-Armand Assante
Armand Assante is the GSFF 2018 MVP honoree for his continued support of our efforts. Born in 1949 in New York City, he received his dramatic training at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Following his first screen in the cult film The Lord’s of Flatbush, Assante appeared on several soap operas before his breakthrough role in Private Benjamin. Playing characters as diverse as Mike Hammer to John Gotti to Odysseus, Assante remains in strong demand with dozens of recent credits in both film and television including his starring role this year’s opening film The Wanderers- The Quest of the Demon Hunter .
Educator of the Year- Christopher Corey
Christopher Corey is both a filmmaker and a NJ public school teacher. He has over 10 years’ experience teaching Film and TV Production at the high school level. Over the last 10 years his students have consistently won awards for their work and they have exhibited their films in numerous local, national, and international film festivals. Before he began teaching Chris worked for 8 years in New York City with various production companies. He currently teaches at Middletown High School South in Monmouth County. Big Congrats Chris and keep up the good work.
Broader Vision Award- Angelight Films
Angelight Films is a 501(c)(3) non profit production company that gives children with brain and spinal cord tumors the opportunity to express themselves by creating and even starring in their own short film. We are proud to present one of their inspiring films this year. For more info click HERE.
It is our greatest privilege and honor to honor them.
GSFF Rising Star 2018 – Ellie Lee
Ellie Lee was born and raised in Bergen County, NJ. She has been a TV/digital entertainment host for MTV K, VH1 News, Amazon Video, People Style, and is currently the on-camera host for iHeartRadio. She has made appearances as an entertainment reporter on “The Wendy Williams Show”, E!’s daytime show, “Daily Pop”, and was a correspondent on VH1’s “Big Morning Buzz Live” hosted by Nick Lachey. More recently as an actor, she has made her debut in independent short films as well as indie feature film, “I CAN I WILL I DID” which screens GSFF March 24th. Congratulations Ellie and welcome to the GSFF family!
