Written and directed by two Jersey natives, shot in Lavallette, with a story about a Jersey girl’s coming of age romantically and otherwise, Greetings From the Shore is the rare film that works commercially and artistically. Released in 2008, it has won more than 45 awards at 75 film festivals around the world. It marks the movie debut of teenage actress Kim Shaw (who has gone on to a recurring role in The Good Wife on CBS) and features a gruffly endearing performance by Paul Sorvino as a fatherly fisherman.
This summer the movie will be screened upwards of 30 times at towns all along the Shore, often right on the beach, on large outdoor screens. Except for a few benefit showings, all screenings are free. “The idea,” says writer/director Greg Chwerchak, “is to give back and share a fun pro-Jersey film with the Shore faithful.” The filmmakers, Chwerchak and writer/producer Gabrielle Berberich, and actors from Greetings will be present to introduce the film, conduct Q&As, and sign copies of the just-released DVD.
At press time, screenings were set for Long Beach Island (July 2), Sea Bright (July 6), Lavallette (July 8), the Jersey Shore Film Festival in Asbury Park (July 15), Belmar (July 25), and Seaside Heights (August 1). Also to be scheduled: Pier Village in Long Branch, Atlantic City, Wildwood, and Cape May. Information on these and additional screenings is available at greetingsfromtheshore.com.