On Tuesday, March 24, at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, a ceremony was held to announce the winner of the New Jersey Hometown Documentary Short category, an NJSBA-sponsored category in the Garden State Film Festival. The category is for films written, directed, and produced by New Jersey students and must be related to their local community.
NJSBA Executive Director Dr. Timothy Purnell presented awards. Enthusiastic about the nominees’ hard work, Dr. Purnell had a message for all student filmmakers. “Every frame is a canvas, and every scene is a story waiting to be told,” he said. During the presentation, Dr. Purnell announced that the recognition will be re-branded in 2027 as the Silver Screens Scholars Award. This name was chosen to better reflect the extraordinary work of emerging filmmakers better.
Sayreville War Memorial High School student filmmaker Kate Burns won the award for her short documentary, “Bombers Beyond: The Happiest Place in Town.” The film profiles the staff of the Bombers Beyond Cafe, a community-based program developed by the Sayreville school district that incorporates neurodiverse students into its work environment. The café helps students develop the independent, productive living skills needed to thrive in life and grow beyond the classroom. Known as the Brew Crew, students learn to run the café, brewing and serving the community.
Thrilled by the documentary, Dr. Purnell applauded the district’s work.
“Sayreville has demonstrated a clear and sustained commitment to inclusion by creating an environment where every student is valued, supported, and given the opportunity to thrive,” he said. “Their work and the incredible leadership of Dr. Richard Labbe reflect the kind of leadership and intentional practice that helps build a true culture of belonging in our schools.”
In recognition of her achievement, Burns’ school district will receive a $500 award to support its TV/film program.
Two student-produced films received honorable mentions at the ceremony and were presented with plaques.
Honorable mentions include “We Dream,” directed by Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology student Kimberly Higgs. The film provides an inspirational look at the arts scene in East Orange and the fight to revitalize it to its former glory through organizations like We Dream Academy.
Another honorable mention is “Legacy on the Lanes,” directed by Hammonton High School student Matthew Donio. The film tells the story of the DiDonato Family Fun Center, which has been entertaining families in Hammonton for over 73 years, and how it has been re-invented to stay relevant into the future.
All honored student films will be showcased during the NJSBA Student Film Showcase at Workshop 2026 in Atlantic City from Oct. 19 through Oct. 22, 2026.
The NJSBA congratulates the recognized student filmmakers for their achievement.
Submissions for the 2027 Silver Screens Scholar Award will be accepted beginning May 1. Students interested in submitting their films for consideration can contact Robin Kampf, NJSBA digital media specialist at rkampf@njsba.org.
