b'A li\x1ble change can make a big di\x10erence\x0eeGreenTap.comLast year, the festival hosted legendary filmmaker, actor, and voice-over artist Frank OzBASS FAMILY CHIROPRACTICand his film, "Muppet Guys Talking," along with the films producer, Victoria Labalme. Treatment and Rehabilitation forFrank Oz. But when you ask Smollonthere wasnt already one, to be honest. HeadachesNeck PainBack Painwhat he treasures most about his fiveSmollon and his wife, Mary Scott,Sports/Gym-Related Injuriesyears at the helm of this marquee event,have been residents of South Orange hes quick to champion the importancefor 13 years. Their 10-year-old daugh- Disc ProblemsPinched Nervesof independent filmmaking. ter Regan attends Clinton ElementaryAuto InjuriesPregnancy-Related AchesI think in the culture, media, andSchool. Whenheisntscreeningpo-entertainmentlandscapewelivein,tential festival entries, Smollon is busyMost Insurance Plans Acceptedthere are fewer and fewer venues show- coaching his daughters softball team.DR. WAYNE BASSing independent film, says Smollon.And of course, he also brings a sub-And I know that as an independentstantial amount of film industry expe-filmmaker, when you go out to shootrience to the community. 491B Valley Street, Maplewood973-378-BASS (2277)www.BassFamilyChiro.comthatfirstscene,yourenotthinking,Smollonhashadhisscreenplays I cant wait to watch this on digital.optionedbyMiramaxFilmsand Youre thinking I cant wait to watchserved as a development executive and this in the theater with all my friends.writer at Shooting Gallery films. Previ-Thats your dream. For a lot of inde- ously, he was with the NFLs marketing pendentfilmmakers,itsjustalongdepartment in addition to working as shot. So we just try to really cater toa copywriter and in public relations. the filmmaker and make that happen. I have an artists soul and a business-The idea for the festival came frommans heart, he says. ofthefestivalHappy Campers!Smollon and his longtime collaboratorThefirsttwoyears Thomas Hanna, who is co-director oftook place at the South Orange Per-the festival. A lawyer by trade, Han- forming Arts Center (SOPAC). Smol- SUMMER CAMP FUN na left the field to work in films andlon estimates that the inaugural year at The Village Babies Development Centersubsequently producedone Registration starts February 10ofSmollons Age 5(child must be entering Kindergarten by fall 2020) scripts.Matt Please email us for more informationisanexcellent screenwriter, saysHanna. We always talk-ed about starting a festival. When he moved out to SouthOrange, werealizedthis istheperfect communityfor one.WewereIn 2019, the festival attracted 1,500-plus attendees over the401 Valley Street, South Orange | 973.378.5906 | info@villagebabies.comshockedthatcourse of five days.feature story /29'