Governor's Award

One of the many highlights of the film festival is the presentation of the Governor’s Award at the opening night Gala to a prominent film artist for his or her outstanding contribution to film in NJ. Our past recipients include Robert Prosky, Susan Sarandon and Billy Baldwin.

Robert Prosky (2001)
Robert Prosky’s career spans 45 years and encompasses over 200 plays, 35 feature films, and many TV projects. He has appeared in Thief, with James Caan, The Natural, with Robert Redford, David Mamet’s Things Change, Dead Man Walking, with Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn, and Mrs. Doubtfire with Robin Williams. His frequent television appearances include three years as Sgt. Stan Jablonski on “Hill Street Blues.” He was a member of the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. for 23 years and has starred in a number of roles on Broadway, notably “Glengarry, Glen Ross” and “A Walk in the Woods,” for both of which he received Tony nominations. He has been honored with the Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk and Helen Hayes Awards.

Susan Sarandon (2002)
Academy Award-winning actress, Susan Sarandon received the 2002 Governor’s Award for her work as a New Jersey Film Artist who has brought both intelligence and integrity to every role. Sarandon, a graduate of New Jersey’s Edison High School, through her efforts as a spokesperson for the Discover Jersey Arts initiative, has helped improve public awareness of the important role New Jersey has played in the arts and that the arts play in New Jersey.

Sarandon accepted this award and shared top billing with the festival’s young New Jersey Filmmakers. These filmmakers presented a special short film titled, “Thank you, Susan” honoring Susan Sarandon for her encouragement of young people in the arts.

Billy Baldwin (2003)
Baldwin, president of New Jersey based CSC Communications/Cargo Films, accepted the 2003 Governor’s Award for his contribution to the rebirth of filmmaking in New Jersey. Baldwin’s role in supporting New Jersey Arts with his “Hollywood comes East” initiative is helping to keep filmmaking alive and well in New Jersey. The CEO of CSC/Cargo, Thomas Colitsas responsible for creating the New Jersey Film Production Assistance Program, signed into law in September 2003 by Governor James E. McGreevey also received this award for his work in this field.

Under this new initiative, loans up to 1.5 million can be allocated by the state’s economic development association to production companies that agree to shoot their films in New Jersey. This program is fundamental to the growth of the State’s film industry according to Baldwin and Colitsas who accepted this award and addressed the audience.

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