St. George Theatre Presents Evening Of Globally Honored Short Films Hosted By Staten Island-Based Actor-Producer Renee Wood

The world’s best short films show reels into The St. George Theater on April 14, 2023.

An evening of globally honored short films hosted by Staten Island based actor/producer Renee Wood.

March 22, 2023 – Staten Island, New York- Asbury Shorts USA, New York City’s longest-running short film exhibition and travel show will partner with The Garden State Film Festival to present the nationally recognized: “Evening of the World’s Best Short Films” at The St. George Theatre in Staten Island, New York on Friday, April 14th. The first film blasts on to the screen at 8:00pm. This special screening is strongly recommended for ages 16 and way above. For tickets and more information please visit: https://stgeorgetheatre.com or call 718.442.2900.

Award winning actor/producer Renee Wood will serve as Guest Host of the April 14th showcase. A Staten Island native, Ms. Wood received the ‘Best Actress in an Indie Film’ honor at The 2022 Los Angeles Film Awards for ‘Just Be Yourself’ and was part of the winning ‘Best Ensemble Cast’ for ‘St. Joseph’ at The Red Corner Film Festival in Italy. “The Romanos,” produced by and starring Ms. Wood will be featured in the screening on April 14th. Directed by and co-starring Joseph D’Onofrio (“A Bronx Tale,” “Goodfellas”) The film was honored as ‘Best Romantic Drama’ at The Manhattan Short Film Festival.

Asbury Shorts USA, is a national touring showcase of the world’s most renowned short films, specially selected for audiences who do not regularly attend film festivals. This eclectic showcase combines award-winning films from the past with new global festival honorees, creating a rare opportunity for audiences to view world-class films on a real cinema screen rather than YouTube, smartphones, or computers. Academy Award–nominated director Jason Reitman (“Juno,” “Up in the Air,” “Thank You for Smoking,””Ghostbusters Afterlife”) calls this event: “the best short-film show I’ve ever seen.”

The April 14th presentation will feature the best in short film comedy, drama, and animation in a fast-paced two-hour program. “An Evening of the World’s Best Short Films” series has been presented at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; the Old Vic Theater in Chicago; Summer Stage in Central Park & the DGA Theater (Directors Guild of America) in Manhattan; the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica, CA; Alamo Draft House in Dallas, Texas; Royal Festival Hall in London, U.K.; the Osprey Arts Center in Nova Scotia, Canada; The Vero Beach Museum of Art in Florida; the Leminske Theater in Berlin, Germany and other prestigious venues where audiences have enjoyed these amazing films.

About Asbury Shorts USA: Founded on Long Island, the show relocated to Manhattan in 1988 and from then on has annually screened globally honored short films in cinemas, performing arts centers, museums & outdoor venues from Berlin to Los Angeles, with many other tour stops in between.

About the Garden State Film Festival: A 501-c-3 non-profit organization, created to promote the art of filmmaking on all levels. This globally recognized festival also provides creative arts education programs and creates a forum where local and international independent filmmakers can exhibit their work. Their outreach programs also support the U.S. Military, seniors, children, and the underserved.  Since 2003, thousands of films have made their public premieres, hundreds of thousands of people from around the world have attended; and the total infusion of cash to local businesses since inception exceeds $9 million. It is held in Asbury Park and surrounding area as well as Cranford, NJ.

This program would not be possible without the support of Northfield Bank.

Banner Image: Aasbury Short Films and Garden State Film Festival banner. Image Credit – St. George Theatre

St. George Theatre

Centered in the historic St. George District of Staten Island, just steps from the iconic Staten Island Ferry, the St. George Theatre was the most magnificent theatre on Staten Island. Solomon Brill of the Isle Theatrical Company broke ground on a beautiful 2,800 seat venue, in August of 1928 and the doors opened on December 4th, 1929. The cost of the project, which included an attached office complex, was two million dollars, $500,000 of which was for the theatre. Brill, who owned several other theatres on the Island and once owned a nickelodeon with William Fox of 20th Century Fox fame, promised to bring top-of-the-line vaudeville to the borough for an admission fee of 75 cents. He envisioned the St. George as a “dream” show house rivaling Manhattan’s cathedrals of cinema.