Teaneck Film Festival Announces Closing Film, Special Honors for 2025

At Temple Emeth in Teaneck, New Jersey, the 20th annual Teaneck International Film Festival will close with Lilly and honor two local changemakers on Nov. 9.

The film depicts a supervisor's fight against workplace bias at Goodyear Tire. Patricia Clarkson steps into the shoes of Lilly Ledbetter, who stood up to the corporate giant in a landmark case.

"The work of the Teaneck International Film Festival has become more urgent at a time in our nation's history where we see threats to our most sacred democratic institutions," said Executive Director Jeremy Lentz, according to New Jersey Stage.

Two trailblazers will take home the WOW award that night. Allison Davis shattered glass ceilings in TV news and built MSNBC from the ground up. She went on to start the National Association of Black Journalists while crafting powerful documentaries.

Her co-honoree, Hildy Dillon, spent years running major health organizations like the American Lung Association. Now she spearheads the Teaneck Environmental Commission and kicked off the town's first community composting effort.

Strong backing comes from local groups: the YWCA of Northern New Jersey joins forces with Senator Loretta Weinberg and the National Council of Jewish Women Bergen County Section. Shahanaz Arjumand and Women of Wisdom add their support to the mix.

From Nov. 6-13, twenty-five films will shine light on pressing matters: civil rights, newcomers to America, and earth's future hang in the balance. Between screenings, guests can join talks with the creative minds behind the camera and public officials.

The doors open at Temple Emeth, 1666 Windsor Road in Teaneck, at 7:30 p.m. The Puffin Foundation Ltd. makes this yearly gathering possible.