2025 New Jersey International Film Festival Set for May 30-June 8

Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2025, the New Jersey International Film Festival (NJIFF) will take place on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from May 30 through June 8. This year, the NJIFF competition will be a hybrid presentation featuring virtual and in-person screenings at Rutgers University.

All the films will be available virtually via Video on Demand (VoD) for 24 hours on their show date. VoD start times are at midnight Eastern. More information will be available on the festival's website.

Thirty-three films will have their New Jersey or Area Premiere (Middlesex County) screenings as part of the NJIFF and the United States Super 8 Film and Video Festival. According to an NJIFF news release, the works being screened are part of the NJIFF and were selected by a panel of judges, including media professionals, journalists, students, and academics. Judges will then choose the prize winners in consultation with the film festival's director. Prize winners will be announced via social media after the screenings on June 8.

Several films in the festival have a New Jersey connection:

My Cousin Vinny hit theaters on March 13, 1992. It would go on to gross a respectable $52.9 million at the box office. However, the comedy took on a life of its own, thanks to film rentals and countless airings on cable.

The film was anchored by outstanding performances from Joe Pesci as the titular Vinny Gambini. He is called upon by his cousin Bill (Ralph Macchio) to represent him and his friend, Stan (Mitchell Whitfield), in a trial for a murder they did not commit. Initially, when questioned by police, Macchio's character thinks he and his friend are being arrested for accidentally stealing a can of tuna from a convenience store. The can of tuna and Bill's questioning of "I shot the clerk?" is still something that sticks with fans today.

Macchio shared in a retrospective piece on My Cousin Vinny for Rolling Stone that he has signed many cans of tuna over the years. He recalled in one fan interaction involving a can of tuna, "He said to me, "Can you sign it, ‘I Shot the Clerk.'" I said, 'Only if I can put a question mark at the end of it.'"

RELATED: Ben Stiller 'Tanked' Audition for 'My Cousin Vinny', Says It Still 'Haunts' Him

My Cousin Vinny would also see standout performances from character actor Lane Smith, who played district attorney Jim Trotter III. The comedy saw Fred Gwynne in his final film role before his death as Judge Chamberlain Haller.

However, the breakout star of the film was Marisa Tomei as Mona Lisa Vito, the girlfriend of Pesci's Vinny. Her performance would go on to win Tomei an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Tomei's performance is so iconic that it led to a hilarious NSFW scene in the 2022 film Fire Island. (You can watch that scene here, but again, NSFW language ahead.)

For fans, the film is endlessly quotable. Here are just 15 hilarious My Cousin Vinny quotes from the iconic comedy. (Honestly, we could've included more, but we exercised restraint.)

Ah yes, because Vinny's cowboy boots will help him fit in in Alabama. This is one of many instances we side with Mona Lisa Vito throughout the movie.

Vinny has a point here. Fortunately, he more than redeems himself by the end of the film.

The fact that this has led to Ralph Macchio signing countless cans of tuna over the years is priceless. Plus, his character Bill was well ahead of the curve on the importance of protein in one's diet.

Honestly, this whole scene just makes us hungry for grits. No, we're not talking about instant grits either.

The interaction between Joe Pesci and Fred Gwynne in this scene is simply perfection. It's truly a masterclass in line delivery and facial expressions.

The word "youths" has never been the same after My Cousin Vinny. Of course, it would take another turn thanks to Schmidt (Max Greenfield) on New Girl, but that's another list for another day.

This monologue alone made Marisa Tomei an Oscar contender. It's perfectly delivered and certainly makes you think twice about deer hunting season.

Joe Pesci should teach a class called "Smart Ass-ery 101." Put it online and charge a fee. It's definitely a "Shut up and take my money!" opportunity.

Again, the polar opposite dynamic between Vinny and the Judge is one of the many hilarious parts of the movie. Also, "You were serious about that?" is a great comeback for a superior if you ever feel like getting in trouble, but still want to remain a badass.

You have to give Vinny credit for trying to play by the rules, even though he faced a number of obstacles. Also, who hasn't been in a situation where they were forced to wear something they hated?

A fast cook? Real grits take much longer than five minutes to cook. Any self-respecting Southerner knows that.

Repeat: Pesci needs to teach "Smart Ass-ery 101." His line delivery here is just outstanding!

The misogynistic tone from D.A. Trotter takes a turn when Mona Lisa Vito absolutely schools him. Plus, the tone of her "However" gives the impression that she's been questioned about her automotive knowledge by some ignorant man before. 10/10, no notes.

The dueling dialog between Pesci and Tomei is incredible. Their chemistry is off the charts, and this scene alone shows that.

And with this scene, Marisa Tomei became an icon. Plus, it's another example of how well Fred Gwynne emotes throughout the entire movie.