An Evening of the World’s Best Short Films

Collingswood, New Jersey — Asbury Shorts USA, New York City’s longest-running short film exhibition and travel show, will partner with The Garden State Film Festival once again to present an entirely new lineup of their nationally recognized “An Evening of the World’s Best Short Films,” sponsored by The South Jersey Film Office Cooperative. The show will take place at The Scottish Rite Auditorium, Collingswood, New Jersey on Thursday, October 16th, 2025, with the first film beginning at 7:00 p.m. This special screening of world-renowned short films from the past and present is strongly recommended for all audiences ages 16 and up.

In attendance to welcome the audience will be Lou Cappelli, Camden County Commissioner Director and South Jersey Film Cooperative Board member. Joining as host this year is Collingswood Mayor Daniela Solano-Ward.

Included in the all-new lineup of films for this year’s show is the short documentary “The History of Haddon Avenue.” The short documentary, which screened in the 2025 Garden State Film Festival, was directed by Myles Fisher of Collingswood. The film tells the story of Haddon Avenue, known as a beautiful downtown with fantastic restaurants and shops, but Haddon Avenue’s history is a tale of hardship and struggle.

Eric Ascalon, Garden State Film Festival Board Chair and Cherry Hill resident, said, “We are thrilled to return to the Scottish Rite Auditorium for the third consecutive year. We are especially honored to have as our host for the evening Collingswood Mayor Daniela Solano-Ward.”

Kerry Richards, South Jersey Film Cooperative coordinator, remarked, “We are so proud to be bringing back this important event.”

The Scottish Rite Auditorium is located at 315 White Horse Pike, Collingswood, NJ. Tickets are $17.39 and available online at https://shortfilms.brownpapertickets.com or at the door while supplies last.

Asbury Shorts USA, now in its 43rd year, is a New York City-based 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 short films on a real cinema screen. Academy Award-nominated director Jason Reitman (Juno, Up in the Air, Thank You for Smoking, and Ghostbusters: Afterlife) called this event “the best short-film show I’ve ever seen.” The October presentation will feature the best in short film comedy, drama, and animation in a fast-paced two-hour program.

For more information call 732-359-6467 or email [email protected]. Interested in sponsorship? Contact Diane Raver [email protected] 732-272-4023.

This program would not be possible without the gracious support of its presenting sponsor The South Jersey Film Office Cooperative, which was founded to highlight the unique assets the southern counties of New Jersey have to offer the film and television industry. Since the establishment of the Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program, South Jersey has become a destination to produce independent films, major motion pictures and television series. South Jersey offers a vast landscape of urban areas, suburbs, rural farmland, waterways, and historical sites and unique settings.

About Asbury Shorts USA: Founded in 1981 on Long Island, Asbury Shorts USA was first presented at the Westbridge Playhouse and the Westbury Civic Center. In 1987, the show relocated to Manhattan and from then on has annually screened globally honored short films to this day, introduced by celebrity guest hosts. Since 2000, The Asbury Short Film Concert has reeled into theaters from Berlin to Los Angeles, with many other tour stops in between.

About the Garden State Film Festival:
THE GARDEN STATE FILM FESTIVAL is New Jersey’s Premier Independent Film Festival®. Now in its 24th year, 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. As the pulse of the next generation of filmmakers, the GSFF leads the way in nurturing and teaching emerging high school talent while celebrating seasoned filmmakers and their craft. Their outreach programs also support the U.S. Military, seniors, children and under-resourced populations. 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 has exceeded $10 million. It is held in Asbury Park and surrounding areas as well as Cranford, NJ. For more information, visit GSFF.org.

The Garden State Film Festival’s “Best of the Fest” outreach programs are presented at various venues around the state and beyond to promote and celebrate independent film and filmmakers throughout New Jersey, while also providing an opportunity to culturally enrich and engage our communities.