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Projects Filmed in NJ Set to Appear at Sundance Film Festival
NEWARK, N.J. (January 18, 2024) –

The New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission

(NJMPTVC), which is part of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), today
announced that seven productions filmed in New Jersey will appear at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. The
festival’s 40th anniversary event will feature I Saw the TV Glow, Your Monster, Rob Peace, Ponyboi, Presence,
Exhibiting Forgiveness, and A Different Man. Filming took place in locations across the state including in Bergen,
Essex, Hudson, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, and Union Counties.

“New Jersey is honored to be the staging location for several films being screened at this year’s Sundance
Film Festival,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “The Garden State offers an array of
diverse landscapes and backdrops, and under Governor Phil Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey’s commitment
to protecting and bolstering civil liberties has enhanced an already compelling case for filming in New Jersey.
We look forward to welcoming even more productions in the months and years to come as we become an
East Coast hub for the film industry.”

The 2024 Sundance Film Festival will take place January 18-28.
Several other productions recently filmed in New Jersey have also received awards and accolades. Christopher
Nolan’s Oppenheimer, filmed partly at Princeton University, won five Golden Globes including the award for
Best Motion Picture. HBO’s Succession received an Emmy as Best Drama Series and two Golden Globe
Awards. Extensive filming for Season 4 of the hit television show took place at CNBC in Englewood Cliffs
and in Jersey City.

The following films will appear at the Sundance Film Festival:
I Saw the TV Glow
A24’s newest horror film I Saw the TV Glow follows two teenagers (Justice Smith and Brigette Lundy-Paine)
who bond over their love for a scary television show that gets mysteriously canceled. The movie is directed by
Jane Schoenbrun and produced by Emma Stone and Dave McCary under the Fruit Tree banner.
Filming took place at Verona and Cedar Grove High Schools, The Saint in Asbury Park, Keansburg
Amusement Park, Funplex in East Hanover, Pump It Up in Roselle Park, Camp Lewis in Rockaway
Township, Corrado’s Supermarket in Wayne, and at other locations in Cedar Grove, East Rutherford,
Kinnelon, Succasunna, Verona, Wayne, and West Caldwell. A24 and Fruit Tree reported spending over $7
million in New Jersey for labor, goods, and services.

Your Monster
Your Monster, based on Caroline Lindy’s 2019 short film of the same name, depicts a depressed woman
(Melissa Barrera) who returns home to find the monster that lived inside her closet as a kid is still alive and
well. The movie was filmed at East Orange General Hospital and at various locations in Elizabeth, Hoboken,
and Newark. Bombo Sports and Entertainment reported expenditures of $3 million during the course of
production.

Rob Peace
Rob Peace, based on a true story, focuses on an inner-city kid (Jay Will) from Newark who attends Yale, only
to succumb to harsh economic realities and the demons of his past. Written and directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor,
the movie stars Ejiofor, Jay Will, and Mary J. Blige.
Filming took place on various locations in Newark including the Lower Roseville section, Newark Penn
Station and St. Benedict’s Preparatory School. Additional locations included the Essex County Jail, Sandy
Hook, New Jersey City University in Jersey City, and a site in East Orange. The production company, Hill
District Media, spent over $11 million in New Jersey and hired 290 cast and crew members and 650 extras for
the filming of Rob Peace.

Ponyboi
Ponyboi, based on the groundbreaking short of the same name, follows an intersex sex worker (River Gallo)
who must fight for survival after a drug deal gone south. The feature was executive produced by Stephen Fry
and Emma Thompson, and shot at the L&P Laundromat in Palisades Park, the Chalet Motel in Ocean
Township, the Bridgeview Diner in Kearny, the Kearny-Belleville Elks Lodge and the Silverball Retro Arcade
in Asbury Park. Dream Queen Productions reported expenditures of $5 million while working in the state.
Presence
Presence takes place in a suburban house inhabited by an unknown force. Shot on a DSLR camera, this feature
from director Steven Soderbergh was written by David Koepp. Starring Lucy Liu and Julia Fox, the movie
was filmed entirely in Cranford. Over $2 million was spent in state during its production.

Exhibiting Forgiveness
Exhibiting Forgiveness follows a Black artist (André Holland) on the path to success, only to be derailed by an
unexpected visit from his estranged father, a recovering addict desperate to reconcile. This movie was filmed
in Allendale, Bayonne, East Orange, Hillside, Kearny, Montclair, Orange, Paterson, and West Orange. The
production company, Homegrown Pictures, spent over $7 million in state and hired 125 cast and crew
members and 200 extras.

A Different Man
A Different Man tells the story of Edward (Sebastian Stan) who, after undergoing facial reconstructive surgery,
becomes fixated on an actor in the stage production based on his former life. Scenes were filmed in
Maplewood and Montclair.
About the New Jersey Motion Picture & Television Commission
The NJMPTVC, which is part of the NJEDA, is staffed by industry professionals and serves as a resource for
production companies. The Commission promotes film and television production in New Jersey.
www.film.nj.gov

About the NJEDA
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) serves as the State’s principal agency for
driving economic growth. The NJEDA is committed to making New Jersey a national model for inclusive
and sustainable economic development by focusing on key strategies to help build strong and dynamic
communities, create good jobs for New Jersey residents, and provide pathways to a stronger and fairer
economy. Through partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, the NJEDA creates and implements
initiatives to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in the State and strengthen New Jersey’s longterm economic competitiveness.
To learn more about NJEDA resources for businesses, call NJEDA Customer Care at 844-965-1125 or
visit https://www.njeda.com and follow @NewJerseyEDA
on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.