-
-
-
-
-
-
Black Panther's Dora Milaje Warrior members discussion panel at Newarkiff 2018. You do not want to miss 2019
-
Mario Van Peebles accepts award for ARMED the Movie at Newark International Film Festival 2018

NewarkIFF Partners with Cannes Lions
NEWARK, N.J. — Three local filmmakers from Newark are being sponsored and sent to Cannes, France to be a part of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity — which has been called the international Oscars of the advertising world.Read More

Best Places to Live and Work and a Movie Maker
For MovieMaker’s Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker 2020 list, we made a dramatic decision: We left off Los Angeles and New York City. It’s not that they aren’t great places to live and work as a moviemaker—everyone knows that they are, and that’s exactly the pr...Read More

Creating Opportunities and a Platform for Independent Filmmakers
New Jersey native, Kenneth Gifford first found his love for entertainment and the arts fairly young but who knew how far it would take him in life? He started off on the hit MTV series,... Read More at Sheen MagazineRead More

Kenneth Gifford
NewarkIFF’s Founder Born in Newark N.J Kenneth attended Arts High School where he honed his skill for art and found his love for entertainment. During the early 90’s Kenneth started his career in front of the camera with MTV on the hit show The Grind & then after a few independent acting roles Kenneth focused his sights behind the camera with a MTV show titled you write it you watch it.
In 2008 after years in the field of television Kenneth decided it was time to try his hand in movies. To date Kenneth has worked on some of Hollywood’s biggest films with some Hollywood’s A list amazing talent. Some of the movies he is credited for working on are Hancock With Will Smith, Charlize Theron & Jason Bateman, Motherhood with Uma Thurman, Minnie Drive, Anthony Edwards & Jodie Foster, Cadillac Records With Beyoncé, Jeffrey Wright, Adrian Brody, Cedric the Entertainer & Columbus Short just to name a few. While enjoying a long list of Hollywood projects, Kenneth still kept his interest for independent film making. Since starting his career Kenneth has worked on over 20 independent films.
In 2009 Kenneth founded Area 21 Studios, a film and television production company based in Newark NJ. Area 21 Studios was created to assist urban film makers gain access to industry resources and opportunities that would not ordinarily be available to them.
Starting with a focus on making a change in 2014 Kenneth was tapped to be the Director of the Newark Office of Film & Television, seeing this as a great opportunity to bring more resources to urban filmmakers & improve the image of his beloved city of Newark to the film industry & the world; he humbly & graciously accepted the challenge.
“ Life is amazing when you control the ending.”