Lauren Concar
Executive Director of the Garden State Film Festival (GSFF)
Lauren Concar is a visionary leader, filmmaker, and production specialist with a passion for storytelling that spans over two decades. As the Executive Director of the Garden State Film Festival (GSFF), she has played a pivotal role in shaping the festival into one of the premier events in the Tri-State area.
Community & cultural activist, filmmaker, visionary & heroic leader extraordinaire. A producer, director, editor, tireless champion of the arts in New Jersey, fearless leader, relentless fundraiser for numerous causes, & recipient of prestigious awards, Lauren’s trove of accomplishments is as big as her heart.
Lauren's work has been showcased in major international media outlets such as Variety, Vogue Global Network/Condé Nast, People Magazine, Deadline, IndieWire, ET Canada, News Entertainment and others. As a filmmaker with a long, passionate history in the TV & Film industry, Lauren has written, executive produced, directed & edited award winning content for Bloomberg, SAG-AFTRA & other clients.
Lauren's journey in the world of film and television began in the as a child while watching Turner Classic and discovered her love for the magic of visual storytelling. Since then, she has dedicated herself to honing her craft and pushing the boundaries of creativity in both film and television.
Is Your Municipality Ready for Prime Time
In recent years the amount of production centered in the garden state has grown exponentially generating millions of dollars in revenue in location fees for local towns and the merchants who are located where these film crews shoot. This theatrical production boom is only going to continue in the next few years as major studios come online in Jersey City and Monmouth County. Hear experts from the New Jersey Film and TV commission explain what production companies are looking for, how you can help sell your town as a location, and what it can mean for PEG and Community Channels as New Jersey becomes the Hollywood of the east. Panelists: Charles Riccardi. Operations & Creative Director, NJ Motion Picture & Television Commission; Elizabeth Parchment, Chief Marketing Officer, NJ Motion Picture & Television Commission; Lauren Concar Sheehy, Executive Director, Garden State Film Festival; Moderator: Geoffrey Belinfante, External Relations Chair, JAG