Asbury Park, NJ — The 2024 Jersey Shore Film Festival concluded with a significant win for the documentary “What We Find on the Road,” which clinched the Grand Jury Award. The film, a poignant exploration of various American landscapes and the personal stories entwined within, captivated audiences and critics alike.
Directed by first-time filmmaker Alex Rivera, the documentary weaves together stories from a diverse set of travelers, revealing the profound connections and disconnections that define modern American life. Rivera’s fresh perspective and narrative approach spotlight how physical journeys on the road can mirror the internal voyages of self-discovery and transformation.
“What We Find on the Road” has been applauded for its lyrical cinematography and sensitive, insightful interviews that bring to life the rich tapestry of the American terrain—both geographical and emotional. Rivera, in accepting the award, expressed gratitude and surprise. “This journey began as a personal quest to understand America better, through the lens of its roads and the stories of those traveling them. Winning this award is beyond my wildest dreams,” he remarked.
The film festival, known for highlighting independent films and emerging talent, featured over 100 films but Rivera’s documentary stood out for its emotional depth and nuanced portrait of the diverse American experience. Industry experts attending the event noted that the documentary could be a turning point in how narrative and visual storytelling converge in the context of real, unplanned journeys.
Adding to the film’s accolades, it also received praise for its soundtrack, which features a mix of folk and acoustic numbers by lesser-known musicians from the regions showcased in the film. Music critics highlighted how the soundtrack complements the visuals, enhancing the overall emotive pull of the documentary.
Jury member and film critic, Marilyn Jones, pointed out that “Rivera’s documentary is a reminder of the power of film to connect us to broader societal narratives and truths. It’s a work that manages to be both intimate and expansive, a detailed portrait of America at a crossroads.”
The success of “What We Find on the Road” has stirred discussions about the role of travel in understanding cultural and personal identity and how these intersections are represented in documentary filmmaking. Rivera hopes that his film will inspire others to explore and document the stories hidden in their own expeditions, whether they lead across the country or within their own neighborhoods.
As Rivera’s feature makes its rounds in various film circuits, it garners a growing interest from both the public and potential distributors. The win at Jersey Shore Film Festival not only boosts its visibility but also marks an important milestone in Rivera’s career, setting him up as a filmmaker to watch in the years to come.
The festival’s success this year, highlighted by Rivera’s award-winning documentary, continues to affirm the Jersey Shore Film Festival’s reputation as a crucial platform for independent filmmakers to showcase their work and gain recognition in the competitive film industry. As “What We Find on the Distance” travels beyond Asbury Park, it carries with it the spirit of exploration, discovery, and the endless stories that roads, much like films, can tell.