NEXT FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, is the kickoff reception for the Two River Film Festival, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing quality film and film-related programs to Monmouth County residents and students.

Founded by Rosellen Otrakji, the festival presented in partnership with Monmouth University is now in its fifth year of bringing new releases and award-winning films from around the world to local movie-goers, and I am pleased to say that The Two River Times is among the sponsors of this year's festival.

Diane and I plan to attend the reception this Friday, and a number of our friends are going as well. It's going to be a good night, and I encourage you to join us.

There are some world-class films at the festival this year, such as The Diving Bell and The Butterfly, which will be screened at Pollak Theater following the cocktail reception on Friday night. The film's director, Julian Schnabel, won Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival.

Following the screening, there will be an after-party at Wilson Hall.

The reception begins at 6:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2 and tickets for the reception, screening and after-party all inclusive may be purchased for $100 each. (See the website address below for ticket information.)

The reception night and the festival days that follow are expected to be well-attended, with film industry executives as well as actors and celebrities from film and television among the attendees.

The festival will continue Nov. 3, 4, and 19, with the closing night featuring The Walker, which boasts an all-star cast including Woody Harrelson, Lauren Bacall, Willem Dafoe, Kristin Scott Thomas, Ned Beatty, Lily Tomlin, and Mary Beth Hurt.

In addition to the big films like Lawrence of Arabia there are documentaries, short films and animated films.

Some of the documentaries are Nanking, about the Japanese invasion of Nanking, China in the early days of World War II, and Tupperware which tells the story of two people that built an empire out of plastic bowls.

You can purchase a pass for the entire three days or buy tickets for individual films.

The Website (www.tworiverfilmfestival.com) has a complete schedule.