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UCPAC FILM FEST 2025 – DIGITAL PRESENTATION
UCPAC Film Fest 2025
Friday, May 16 – Saturday, May 17
2 DAYS CELEBRATING THE ART OF MOTION PICTURES!
NEW Pricing Options. We Heard Your Feedback!
2 Day Festival Passes:$56 (All In Pricing) | Access to Opening Ceremony, Singin’ in the Rain, Panels, All Film Blocks, Awards Ceremony, AND the premiere screening of indie feature film Cursed Hearse
Film Blocks 1 – 3:
$20 (All In Pricing) | Access to Access to High School Student Short Films, College/Univ. Student Short Films, Indie Spotlight: Made in Union County (NJ) Screenings
Film Blocks 4 – 6:
$20 (All In Pricing) | Access to Indie Drama, Non-Fiction, Experimental/Musical, Mystery/Action, Comedy, & Horror/Sci-Fi Screenings.
Awards Ceremony + Cursed Hearse premiere screening:
$22 (All In Pricing) | Access to Cocktail Hour, the Awards Ceremony and the premiere screening of the indie feature film Cursed Hearse
Union County Performing Arts Center proudly announces our UCPAC Film Fest 2025. This exciting two-day event will showcase short films crafted by aspiring and independent filmmakers ages 14 and above, along with engaging panel discussions workshops, and more! We’re excited to host the second annual event at UCPAC’s historic Main Stage. Become a sponsor or donate to support Film Fest!
This year’s digital feature presentation is Singin’ in the Rain, showing Friday, May 16 at 7 PM! Purchase festival passes for the film fest to access the full two-day event, including the Opening Ceremony and Singin’ in the Rain, panels, workshops, short film screenings, and our Awards Ceremony.
Watch the 2025 Trailer!
SCHEDULE
UCPAC Film Fest Panel Schedule:
12:30-1:30 p.m.: “Hot Takes to Essays” with blogger Dehlia Scott (@mediamatinees)
“For as long as I can remember, I’ve been in love with stories,” says Scott. “… Anything that could transport me into worlds with ghosts, magic, time travel, crazy mysteries, epic romances, and scandal. The best part has always been the ability to bring someone along for the ride.” In this lively conversation, Scott shares how to create your own platform to share your hot takes and reviews, and find community.
2 PM – 3 p.m.: “Historical Costuming in Movies & TV’ with cosplayers Cassidy Wells (@horrorqueencosplay) and Christine Rose (@cozymonkeycosplay)
When asked about the importance of historical costuming in media, award-winning cosplayer Wells says, “We can learn so much about the past from how garments are constructed and what materials are used. From the Vikings to the Victorians, each piece tells a story without words. The visual cues and construction designs can influence an audience’s perception of a story or character in a film or TV show by just a glance.”
3:30 PM – 4:30 p.m. “Horror as a Reflection of Grief: The Work of Mike Flanagan” with Dina Grilli and Michelle Maccarone, co-hosts of “The Flanacast” (@flanacastpod)
Podcast co-hosts and self-proclaimed “Flanafans” analyze the work of acclaimed horror writer/director Mike Flanagan and his motif of exploring grief through horror. Expect a passionate and deep conversation, with space for everyone’s opinions, and a welcoming vibe.
Meet Our Keynote Speaker Lamar Mackson
Lamar Mackson is a Producer and Assistant Director from Plainfield NJ. His most recent work
on Alex Stapleton’s “Tawana” and “How Music Got Free” gained his induction into the Director’s
Guild of America. Lamar’s love of film began as a kid when he used to visit the iconic Liberty
Theater on Front Street for weekend matinee screenings. His credits include The Cooking
Channel’s PATTI’S PLACE with Patti Labelle, Damages starring Glen Close, KITCHEN
NIGHTMARES featuring Gordon Ramsay, EXTREME HOME MAKEOVERS, Viacom’s THE
MONTEL WILLIAMS SHOW, THE PHIL DONAHUE SHOW, as well as Spike Lee’s SUMMER
OF SAM to name a few. Mackson also served as Assistant Director on the hit hidden camera
show IMPRACTICAL JOKERS on TruTV seasons 1-4.
He has also worked on mainstream projects for NICKELODEON, AMAZON, ATT, NFL, HBO,
Paramount Plus, and MICROSOFT along with many others. Mackson notably served on the AD
staff for Justin Timberlake’s “MIRRORS” and First Assistant Director for acclaimed Director and
SCANDAL actor Tony Goldwyn.
Lamar currently runs Nonstop Show Group, a film & tv production company , is the founder of
the Queen City Film Festival, now in its 8th year and also launched the careers of many
students through the Future Film Club. The Film Future Club is an afterschool program that
provides free training in film & television production for students interested in careers in the film
& television industry.
Lamar served on the board of the Neighborhood Health Center, is a member of the Board of
Directors of the Plainfield YMCA and currently serves as Chairman of the Union County, NJ
Motion Picture & Television Advisory Board.
UCPAC Film Fest 2025’s mission is to platform aspiring and independent filmmakers by showcasing their work at our classic venue.
This event is proudly sponsored by:
