APARTMENT 38

2022 • 21 MINS • DOCUMENTARY

Starring: Alphonso J. Tomaino, Ronald J. Tomaino, Jr. , Jeanette Ferri, Don Morris, Ashley Silva, Tara Tomaino, Andrew Tomaino, Matt Silva, Steven Tomaino

Directed by: Ronald J. Tomaino, Jr.

Alphonso J. Tomaino shares his life story within the walls of his Red Bank, New Jersey apartment. Winner of multiple awards including “Best Documentary Short” at the 2022 SModcastle Film Festival hosted by Kevin Smith!

UNCLE FUNZI & “APARTMENT 38” RED BANK GREEN ARTICLE (1/27/25)

We’re excited to announce that Brian Donohue from Red Bank Green took the time to write a beautiful article about Red Bank’s Alphonso Tomaino and his documentary “Apartment 38”!

Here is the social post Brian also wrote promoting the article:

“Alphonso Tomaino grew up on Shrewsbury Avenue with the family liquor store attached to the home. He toured the US as violin player for the "Red Band Hillbillies" quartet. When he was nearing 100 years old his film maker grand nephew realized he had to get these stories on film.”

CLICK HERE to read the article in full!

SModcastle Film Festival: Best Doc. Short winner (12/6/22)

I am excited and proud to announce that “Apartment 38” WON “Best Documentary Short” last night at “The SModcastle Film Festival” hosted by Kevin Smith! I can not begin to describe my feelings of gratitude and appreciation to everyone who supported my film. 

Kevin’s introduction to this category was inspirational as he told the story of “Clerks” and how one man catapulted his professional career, Bob Hawk. Then, Bob took the stage to announce the nominees and winners of “Best Documentary Short” & “Best Documentary Feature”! 

When Bob announced that “Apartment 38” won, I was stunned. I couldn’t believe that I was standing between Kevin and Bob accepting the “Mooby” award! Truly, it was a special night where I felt nothing but love from fellow filmmakers in the theatre and from Alphonso up above! 

More video and photos to come from this wonderful night! Thank you everyone!

Cheers & Gratitude: Ron

SModcastle Film Festival: Best Doc. Short Nomination (11/18/21)

Words can’t express how honored I am at this moment! Earlier this week, I found out that “Apartment 38” has been nominated for “Best Documentary Short” at Kevin Smith’s upcoming “SModcastle Film Festival”!

Along with this recognition, the film about Alphonso J. Tomaino will have it’s theatrical premiere at the festival. Here are the details below:

FESTIVAL BLOCK: 13, DATE: December 1st, TIME: 9:30PM - 11:30PM

LOCATION: Theatre 3, SModcastle Cinemas, Atlantic Highlands, NJ

TICKETS: $10.00

DIRECT LINK: https://www.smodcastlecinemas.com/ticketing/72E16772-F297-70E7-F6BB99948F24D905

You can also visit apt38movie.com for the latest updates and for a direct link to purchase tickets. 

Thank you to Kevin Smith and the entire team at SModcastle Film Festival for this nomination!

And as always, thank you to all of you who have followed and supported me on this journey.

I hope to see you at the premiere!!!

Cheers & Gratitude: Ron

SIFF (Serbest International): Official Selection & Semi-Finalist (9/2/22)

We are proud to announce that "Apartment 38" is an official selection and semi-finalist of the Serbest International Film Festival. Here's more about this festival held out of The Republic of Kishinev, Moldova from organizers:

"The Serbest International Film Festival has been organized to showcase the work of film makers from around the world. Its aim is to discover new directors and screenwriters from the world of cinema and give clear support and encouragement to them, but it is also a space where they will represent and promote their work. We especially encourage those who through new innovative approach to the topics can offer a new more human vision of the world in which we live.SIFF is a cultural organization whose mission is to transform the way people see the world through film."

Thank you to SIFF for this amazing honor and to all of our fans who have supported the journey of this documentary!

Cheers: Ron

SModcastle Film Festival: Official Selection (8/28/22)

I'm so excited to share this news with you! Out of 1,000 submissions in 26 countries, "Apartment 38" is one of 146 films selected to be a part of Kevin Smith's (@thatkevinsmith) "SModcastle Film Festival" at SModcastle Cinemas (Atlantic Highlands, NJ) from November 30th - December 4th! This is a huge announcement since it will mark the FIRST TIME "Apartment 38" will be shown to the public in Alphonso's home state (and by one of my favorite filmmakers)! 

Here is what the festival is about from the website:

"From Kevin Smith & Friends comes a film festival so fit for a King or Queen that it can only take place in the Castle! Presenting the First Annual SModcastle Film Festival - a Central Jersey showcase of cinema hosted by the guy who made Clerks... Welcoming entries from all over the world, the SModcastle Film Festival will be a week-long event filled with features, short films, animation, documentaries & more!"

Kevin just posted an update about film selections on the SModcastle website. You can check it out through the link here:

https://www.smodcastle.com/?fbclid=IwAR1n9SmuO53lsgUnoXEMxy9324hyMH6ETg97sOQUHB74KGPO1Fy578PLJzA

Updates to a complete film list, ticket and viewing information will soon be posted on www.smodcastle.com/filmfestival and apt38movie.com!

Thank you to Kevin and his team at "SModcastle Film Festival" for this incredible honor! I can't wait to attend the festival and see "Apartment 38" on the BIG SCREEN!

Cheers & Gratitude: Ron

NJ Short Awards: Official Selection & Semi-Finalist (6/12/22)

I'm honored to announce that "Apartment 38" has received the honor of "Official Selection: and "Semi-Finalist" in the "New Jersey Short Awards" for June of 2022! The film festival was formed to celebrate "motion picture and literary arts by providing a platform...online." The festival has film scholars, filmmakers and film critiques judging each entry, with winners having their films screened online. For more information, visit www.newjerseyfestival.com.

Thank you to "New Jersey Short Awards" for this recognition! I know Alphonso would be proud to have this appreciation! 

Cheers: Ron

8 & HalFilm: Official Selection & Best Documentary Short Winner (5/6/22)

I am thrilled to announce that “Apartment 38” won “Best Documentary Short” for April’s 8 & HalFilm Awards! Based in Rome, this IMDb qualifying monthly festival is an international event that gives filmmakers a chance to showcase their work while networking with industry professionals. 

The festival itself is a tribute to the Academy Award winning film “8½” shot by Italian film director Federico Fellini in 1963. The film describes an historical phase of uncertainty, confusion and fear of the future that we can relate to today. But, as the film and festival remind us, it is in these moments that art can be a way of salvation.

Thank you to 8 & HalFilm Awards for giving “Apartment 38” the honor of “Best Documentary Short” along with “Official Selection”. For more information on the festival, visit https://8andhalfilmawards.com/. And of course, my heartfelt gratitude to those who've been following the “Apartment 38” journey! More updates to come on apt38movie.com, Facebook and Instagram @greencouchmediallc.

Cheers & Gratitude: Ron 

New York Istanbul Short Film Festival: Official Selection (5/4/22)

A new month brings in a new honor! “Apartment 38” received its’ eighth official selection as part of the New York Istanbul Short Film Festival! This private IMDB credited festival in Istanbul, Turkey aims to gather emerging talent from all around the globe. The NISFF looks for independent projects from all genres, particularly low or no-budget, that are underrepresented in the industry. 

A special thank you to @SffNew for the selection and to all who continue to follow the “Apartment 38” film tour. I love you all for your support!

Cheers & Gratitude: Ron

Little Rock Italian Film Festival: Official Selection & Viewing (4/22/22)

“Apartment 38” has just received its’ seventh official selection and second online viewing opportunity! This weekend (April 22nd-24th), the Little Rock Italian Film Festival is streaming the documentary with fourteen other official selections on the Mezzo Studios Channel through Roku. This also marks the United States premiere of the documentary.

Below is a description of the festival from organizers:

“The Little Rock Italian Film Festival brings modern Italian cinema to the heart of Arkansas. In our third edition of the festival, we are sharing new independent voices in film which elaborate on contemporary aspects of Italian and Italian American culture and experience virtually on Roku. We are a festival committed to celebrating independent film in an open and inclusive environment for filmmakers.” 

As always, thank you for all for your love and support in “Apartment 38”! I’ll post any upcoming viewing opportunities and updates on Instagram @greencouchmediallc, Facebook and apt38movie.com.

Cheers & Gratitude: Ron

Phoenix Shorts: Official Selection & Semi-Finalist (4/12/22)

Just announced this morning, “Apartment 38” is a semi-finalist in the “Best Documentary Shorts” category at Canada’s Phoenix International Short Film Festival (Phoenix Shorts)! This marks the documentary’s sixth official selection and the Canadian premiere. Here’s a bit more background into the online festival:

“Phoenix Shorts is a monthly and yearly online IMDb qualified festival. We encourage the breadth and variety of views and supporting the best up-and-coming filmmakers from around the world. Each month, our jury selects the winners of each category through private screenings. Every submitted film has a chance to be a winner in the monthly competition. If they get selected by the programming team of the yearly event, the winners of each month may be then considered for the annual online competition. If this happens, they will be shown and compete with other films-winners at the yearly online event.”

This month’s winners will be announced on April 26TH. I will post any updates on Instagram @greencouchmediallc, Facebook and apt38movie.com.

Thank you to @phoenixshortfestival for the selection and to all who’ve been following this amazing journey!

Cheers & Gratitude: Ron

4Theatre Selection: Official Selection & Finalist (4/6/22)

Along with official selection recognition, 4Theatre Selection announced last night that “Apartment 38” is a finalist in both the Documentary Short and Low Budget Short categories! As a result, the film will be featured on the 4Theatre Selection website for one week! Once a start date is announced, I will post all information on Instagram @greencouchmediallc and apt38movie.com! Here’s some background into the festival:

“On the list of FilmFreeway’s top 50 online festivals, 4Theatre Selection is our monthly competition of short films, feature films, screenplays and music video from all over the world. We know how difficult it is to see your work published on some platform. Precisely for this reason we have decided to simplify the life of thousands of video makers all over the world, making available the possibility of being able to see their projects published here on 4theatre.com.”

If you would like to see the awards announcement video, go to https://youtu.be/Us7ZgT6acfE.

In the meantime, you still have until April 11th to watch “Apartment 38” in the “First-Time Filmmaker Sessions” from the Lift-Off Global Network. You can purchase access to the festival for $12.00 and vote for the film! Use the link below to directly access the festival:

(Checkout.liftoff.network/p2-ft-sessions-march-2022/)

A big thanks to @4theatremovies for the official selection and finalist honors! And of course, to everyone who has followed this journey. There’s a lot more to come!

Cheers & Gratitude: Ron 

Lift-Off Global Network: Official Selection & Online Viewing (3/29/22)

I’m excited to announce that The Lift-Off Global Network at Pinewood Studios has selected “Apartment 38” in their “First-Time Filmmakers Sessions”. The best part is that this online festival is open to the public! That’s right, along with other submissions, this is the first opportunity for you to see “Apartment 38” on demand from the comfort of your own home. Below is information about the festival:

“The Lift-Off Sessions is an online showcase, dedicated to bringing new audiences to the indie film market, ending with an annual live screening of the winning films from our home at Pinewood Studios in the UK. Screening the latest indie shorts to as wide an audience as possible is our mission with Lift-Off Sessions. It provides an invaluable opportunity for filmmakers and film enthusiasts to see lots of their contemporaries' work. It is our sole and focused mission to introduce new global audiences to this impressive medium, and so far it is having an amazing effect.”

For $12.00, you will have unlimited access for two weeks (March 28-April 11) to screen and vote for “Apartment 38” and other independent films from all over the world on Vimeo On Demand. The winning films in each category will be eligible for live screenings in Hollywood and England at the end of the year. The link to sign up is below:

(Checkout.liftoff.network/p2-ft-sessions-march-2022/)

Please note, "Apartment 38" is in the festivals second programme so please use the link above to assure that you get to watch "Apartment 38" and vote!

As always, follow @greencouchmediallc on Instagram and go to apt38movie.com for the latest showings and updates.

Thank you everyone!

Cheers & Gratitude: Ron

Vesuvius International Film Fest: Official Selection & Nomination (3/29/22)

The Vesuvius International Film Festival in Italy has selected "Apartment 38" to participate in their monthly event!

Through a private viewing, judges will select monthly winners in main categories such as "Best Feature Film", "Best Trailer" and "Best Actor/Actress". The winning films in each category will be eligible to have their film screened live in Campania at the end of the year. Nominees will be announced on Tuesday, March 29th while winners will be announced on Thursday, March 31st.

As of this morning, "Apartment 38" advanced to the nomination list for "Best Documentary Short"!  

A huge thanks to @vesuviusinternationalfilmfest and to everyone who has supported the "Apartment 38" journey. More updates to come!

Cheers & Gratitude: Ron

Iconic Images Film Festival: Official Selection (3/16/22)

“Apartment 38“ has officially been selected to be a part of this seasons’ Iconic Images Film Festival in Lithuania! This marks the European premiere of the documentary. Below is a description of the festival:

“The fifth season of the Iconic Images Film Festival provides an essential promotion opportunity for Lithuania, one of the central countries of art in Europe. The festival accepts both short and feature films under various conditions. The festival jury evaluates all submitted films meticulously. Iconic Images Film Festival is an IMDb Accredited Festival.”

I want to thank everyone for the support and love in this documentary. There have been many who have expressed interest in seeing “Apartment 38“, in particular close family and friends. My objective is to bring Alphonso home to New Jersey for a couple of festivals. In April, I will find out if “Apartment 38“ has been officially selected for The New Jersey Documentary Film Festival (Sparta, May 12-15), The New Jersey Independent Film Festival (Union City, May 18-22) and The New Jersey Independent Film (Rutgers, New Brunswick, June 3-12). Fingers crossed that it will be accepted to at least one of these festivals. As always, I will update everyone on Facebook, Instagram and on apt38movie.com. Again, thank you everyone for your support!

Cheers & Gratitude: Ron

Through The Window Glass (3/15/22)

The official poster to “Apartment 38” is completed! The name of the artwork is called “Through The Window Glass”. 

The documentary has been entered in over twenty festivals world-wide with more to come. Official selection announcements will be made on Facebook, Instagram and on apt38movie.com

As always, thank you for your support. I know Alphonso would be proud that so many people want to hear his story!

Cheers & Gratitude: Ron

Clapperboard Golden Festival: Official Selection (3/3/22)

Out of 1,949 submissions, "Apartment 38" was chosen to be an official selection of the Clapperboard Golden Festival in São Paulo, Brazil! This marks the South American premiere of the documentary. Below is a description of the festival:

“The Clapperboard Golden Festival is a unique international film competition - It is an international festival that seeks to assess the creative spirit, cultural strength and diversity in the production of short films made by directors from around the world. We are not interested in super productions, but in films that stand out for their artistic qualities. A group of critics and audiovisual technicians will analyze and judge the best of the season – some through reviews.”

This is just the beginning of what I hope to be an incredible journey with this documentary. I thank you for joining me in celebrating Alphonso's life.

Cheers & Gratitude: Ron

Apartment 38 Festival Trailer & Website Launch (2/25/22)

I’m excited to announce that my documentary “Apartment 38" is finally completed and is already in contention with several film festivals! Once final decisions are made, I will post viewing information on Facebook, Instagram and APT38MOVIE.COM.

For those who don’t know, Alphonso is my great-uncle who lived a very fascinating life. The new “Apartment 38” trailer gives you a quick summary of the documentary while generating curiosity about further details in his life. 

After you watch the trailer, check out APT38MOVIE.COM. This website supports the “Apartment 38” film festival tour by listing all premiere locations along with a countdown clock to each one. You can also read up on Alphonso’s biography, check out old photographs from his life, and watch every single episode from the “Alphonso On…” series.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me in completing this documentary and telling Alphonso’s life story. Believe me, it’s worth the wait!

Cheers & Gratitude: Ron