The first festival was held in 2003 and was co-founded by Diane Raver and Hollywood actor Robert Pastorelli. Several people in the film and TV industry have assisted the festival, including actors James Gandolfini and Glenn Close.
The festival's aim is to showcase feature films, short films, video works and animation from the independent sector. Local filmmakers and those further afield are encouraged to submit. In addition to screenings, the festival organizes educational programs relevant to film for young people and the general public.
The main venues used include the Paramount Theater, a well-known music venue on the shore boardwalk. Other venues are the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel near the boardwalk, the Synaxis Greek restaurant, the Showroom art house movie theater and the cinema within the Axelrod Performance Arts Center. Asbury Park City Council Chambers also host screenings.
In addition to the screenings, various educational and social events take place for guests and ticket holders. A cocktail party opens the festival, and a black-tie dinner is held to give out awards in various categories. Also, industry professionals work with young people in youth workshops and panel discussions to teach practical filmmaking skills and provide hands-on experience.
Among the awards presented at the festival are Best Dramatic Feature, Best International Feature, Bud Abbott Award for Feature Length Comedy, Best Short, Best International Short, Best Music Video, Best Movie Music, Best Screenplay, Audience Choice and Best International Commercial, among various other awards for documentaries and animations. Local filmmakers who have filmed at New Jersey locations are rewarded in the Home Grown category, which includes awards for students, and new actors compete for the Robert Pastorelli Rising Star Award for Acting.