It has been a little more than a year since our premiere at Tribeca Film Festival and it is amazing to think of all the amazing experiences the past 12 months have brought. Bonding with and amongst audiences around the emotions and themes “Once in a Lullaby” touches on has been tremendous. I’d like to extend heartfelt thanks everyone who came out to a screening or wished us well from afar (including the 5,000 plus likes on Facebook). Tiff.kids and American Film Showcase are like two cherries on top of a year long sundae.
The Toronto International Film Festival has a reputation for awesomeness amongst filmmakers and audiences alike and our experience at their tiff.kids children’s festival proves once again that it is very well deserved. We had three amazing audience filled screenings (with Mr. B in attendance!) and we even got (favorably!) reviewed by the young film-critics Flick and Flack.
The experience at tiff.kids was particularly meaningful in that it really drove home the fact that “Once in a Lullaby” appeals to children as well as adults. This was crucial to my vision as director (and a parent) and I couldn’t be happier to contribute a film that can be enjoyed together as a family.
They even had an unbelievable interactive area called Digiplay Space for the kids that really showcased the medium’s potential. My son and my nephew came along and we had a blast! They loved the green screen and 3-D printer they were allowed to play with! Thanks again TIFF!
The American Film Showcase is a collaboration between the USC Cinema Studies Department and The U.S. State Department, the Showcase highlights the value of documentaries in fostering understanding and cooperation, dialogue and debate. “Once in a Lullaby” has been selected to screen in an undisclosed-as-of-yet country. I am as surprised as anyone who knows me that either the U.S. Govt. or a prestigious film school like USC would want me as an envoy but I’ll give it my best shot! Check back here for updates on where we end up going.
About New Jersey Pictures
Jonathan Kalafer is an award-winning director/producer of documentaries and an innovative educator serving at New Jersey Institute of Technology and The County College of Morris. His teaching has been acknowledged by the George Lucas Educational Foundation and he procured a “VH1 Save the Music” grant for Jersey City Public Schools. His students serve as both inspiration and collaborators for his professional documentary filmmaking, and he often includes them in the decision making process. Most recently he began working with The TriBeCa Institute to bring their unique programming and opportunities to his students.
His most recent documentary "Once in a Lullaby: The PS 22 Chorus Story" (2012 director/producer) premiered at TriBeCa to a sold out audience and critical acclaim. Most recently it was selected by Toronto International Film Festival Tiff.Kids program and selected by the US State Department and USC for their Documentary Diplomacy program American Film Showcase. It earned the "Audience Award" at Woodstock Film Fest and "Best Documentary" at the New Jersey Film Festival. It was also nominated for a Gotham Award and was an official selection at numerous high profile film fests.
Past films include We Love You (director/producer 2009) which premiered at the L.A. International Short Film Festival, where it won the “Best Documentary” award. It also won “Best Short Documentary” at the New Jersey Film Festival and was a finalist in the U.S.A. Film Festival. vimeo.com/5562245
"Diary of Immaculee" (producer 2006) made the official shortlist for an Academy Award nomination and was part of the One X One program at The Toronto International Film Festival. It was also selected as a part of the DocuWeeks program and nominated for a "Best Short Documentary" by the I.D.A.
Jonathan produced a segment for Universal's "Katy Perry: The 3D Experience" documentary and his video work has appeared on taste-making websites such as Brooklyn Vegan and Pitchfork. He has written pieces that have appeared on the Wall Street Journal's website and in print in Chilltown Magazine. He authored an innovative Media Arts and Sciences curriculum for JCPS that empowers students to be more informed consumers of media as well as producers of media themselves. Jonathan resides in Mendham with his wife Kori and his two sons Zachary 7 and Broden 5.This page contains my professional work, personal clips and is the archive of my students' work.
The Toronto International Film Festival has a reputation for awesomeness amongst filmmakers and audiences alike and our experience at their tiff.kids children’s festival proves once again that it is very well deserved. We had three amazing audience filled screenings (with Mr. B in attendance!) and we even got (favorably!) reviewed by the young film-critics Flick and Flack.
The American Film Showcase is a collaboration between the USC Cinema Studies Department and The U.S. State Department, the Showcase highlights the value of documentaries in fostering understanding and cooperation, dialogue and debate. “Once in a Lullaby” has been selected to screen in an undisclosed-as-of-yet country. I am as surprised as anyone who knows me that either the U.S. Govt. or a prestigious film school like USC would want me as an envoy but I’ll give it my best shot! Check back here for updates on where we end up going.
New Jersey Pictures 