Lauren Concar has become executive director of the Garden State Film Festival (GSFF). She takes on the role as the GSFF returns to its original home in Asbury Park for the 2018 festival. The return move marks the festival’s “Sweet 16” anniversary and follows a successful four-year run in Atlantic City.
 
Concar has been with the festival for many years, acting most recently as the festival’s director of operations. She and production manager Kristen Dirato have been responsible for many of the festival’s weekend events in the last few years, including all the advance planning, event management and operations during the event. Concar has also taken on many of the administrative functions of the executive director for more than a year. She is an award-winning producer, director and editor, and is the head of the Brookdale Television department at Brookdale Community College.

GSFF board chairman Nicholas J. Falcone said of Concar, “She knows this festival backwards and forwards and most importantly knows the people who make this event. She knows what the fans want and her background in production allows her a deep understanding of the needs of the filmmakers. She is steady, focused and will bring great things to the GSFF in her expanded role.”         

Founder Diane Raver said, “Lauren was raised in the film festival; she is really part of its fabric. Over the years, she has taken on more responsibilities and has logged countless hours, doing all the important work of preparing for the event and the essential follow-up work after the event. Those who know Lauren know she will be extraordinary and those about to meet will be most impressed.”

The 2018 festival is scheduled for March 22-25, 2018. The call for entries opened on July 1, 2017.