Robin Kampf, the NJSBA’s media production specialist who has introduced hundreds of students to the cinematic arts as adjunct professor at half a dozen New Jersey colleges and universities, is being honored as the “Educator of the Year” by the Garden State Film Festival.
Kampf currently operates her video production company, RJK Media. She produced, directed and edited her second documentary, “Love Wins,” which aired on PBS Network nationwide. She was also picked to be a part of the PBS Women in Film Festival in 2019.
“Love Wins” also won Best Documentary Short at the Red Bank Indie Street Film Festival, the Garden State Film Festival, The Ocean Grove Film Festival, the New Hope International Film Festival and was a finalist in the International Black Maria Film Festival. “Love Wins” was also picked as an official selection to be screened at the Vail Film Festival.
“Robin is a true professional, in every sense of the word. We’re extraordinarily lucky to work with her,” said NJSBA Executive Director Dr. Lawrence S. Feinsod. Ray Pinney, NJSBA’s member engagement director and a frequent collaborator with Kampf on her NJSBA projects, announced Kampf’s award during a staff meeting on Jan. 14.
Kampf will be honored during the Garden State Film Festival’s three-day celebration in the Asbury Park area, beginning on March 27 with an opening gala and concluding with an awards ceremony on March 29 at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel.
The NJSBA helped sponsor student film entries to the 2020 Garden State Film festival. The student film contest, which Kampf played a key role in promoting, is being sponsored by the NJSBA in partnership with the Steven Van Zandt’s Teach Rock initiative and Rock and Roll Forever Foundation, the Artists Alike Film Festival and the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission.
To see 10 of the New Jersey student films involved in the contest last year, follow the links in the Nov. 6 School Board Notes story available here.
Kampf has numerous national awards for producing, including four Cable Ace Awards for excellence in producing and programming. In 1998, Robin was awarded “Producer of the Year” by the New Jersey Cable Television Association and the Cable Television Network of New Jersey.
She began her career in TV production working in local news and features while managing a team of producers for a local TV station. She has also worked on locations and in management on several feature films including “Presumed Innocent,” “Bonfire of the Vanities,” “Jacobs Ladder,” and others.
Kampf has served as an adjunct professor, teaching television at Brookdale College, Montclair State University, Union County College, Seton Hall University and Monmouth University.
She also manages the television studio at SCAN-TV, teaching television and film production to active senior citizens who produce public affairs programming geared towards older adults seen on cable systems throughout New Jersey.
Kampf currently resides with her wife Luanne Peterpaul, who is a statewide LGBT advocate.