Asbury Park’s ShowRoom Cinema and Parlor Gallery are producing the first Asbury Park Erotic Film Festival from Aug. 5 through Aug. 7.
According to a release from festival organizers, a film festival provides the opportunity to feature films under a thematic umbrella the film-going public doesn’t get to see.
“Asbury Park is known for its love of freedom, hedonistic recreation and eclectic artistic spirit so it seems like a fertile environment for a collection of films, art and events that focus on erotica,” Mike Sodano, co-founder of The ShowRoom Cinema said.
Festival Programmer Alex Chionetti will help to create the film lineup.
“I have an international pool of filmmakers who have produced erotic features seldom seen in this country,” he said.
Jenn Hampton, Co-Director and Curator of Parlor Gallery, will partner with The ShowRoom bringing in a talent pool complimenting the festival’s theme, A Celebration of the Senses.
“Having curated many thematic art shows at the gallery, I know there is an audience in the greater Asbury Park area for visual erotic art,“ Hampton said.
A component of the festival will be a three minute erotic film challenge of films shot over a three day period the week before.
Dubbed the Eros-in-3 Film Challenge, this competition will allow for audience participation creating films and a final screening of the top eight winners on Sun., August 7.
Sodano and Hampton plan on expanding this festival into a downtown-wide event. Many merchants will support the festival over the weekend with their own take on the sensual.
“We are always trying to come up with new and innovative ways to bring people to the Art Block of Asbury Park,” Sodano said. “Along with the films, we’ve had interest in adding a lingerie fashion show, lectures, readings, demonstrations and sensual food tastings.”
To find the latest information, go to APEroticfilmfestival.com or call 732-502-0472.
All films will be shown at The Showroom Cinema, 707 Cookman Ave.
