Harvey Alum's Film Gaining Attention

Harvey alum Jared Peraglia, Class of 2018, continues to earn significant recognition for his short film, “Here to Stay,” a documentary that chronicles the successful election campaign of a 23-year-old, first generation Mexican American woman who won a seat on the city council of Newburgh, New York.

Jared, who graduated last May from NYU Tisch School of the Arts with a B.F.A in film and journalism, recently learned that “Here to Stay” was selected as a finalist for the 49th annual Student Academy Awards. That good news was followed up by the announcement Sept. 1 that the Woodstock Film Festival (WFF) has chosen Jared’s film for a screening this fall as part of its 23rd anniversary lineup of 48 independent feature films and 98 shorts.

Produced during his time at NYU under the supervision of Academy Award- nominated director Alice Elliott, Jared's film about Giselle Martinez’ run for public office was awarded the prestigious Alan Landsburg Documentary Post-Production Grant presented by Tisch.

As a finalist for the 49th annual Oscar-qualifying Student Academy Awards, “Here to Stay” is among 24 other student projects selected from around the world from among the nearly 1,800 films submitted to the 49th annual awards, making Jared’s film among the top 1% of the entrants. His film, with a running time of 30 minutes and five seconds, is competing against six others in the documentary category. The Academy will announce the winner next month at an in-person ceremony in Los Angeles.

“Documentary filmmaking gives me a front row seat to people, places, and issues I’ve only ever read about,” the 22-year-old filmmaker said. “Giselle’s inspiring story certainly fits the bill and I’m humbled to have documented her first political campaign and to have made a close friend along the way, too,” he added.   

Self-described as the “fiercely independent Woodstock Film Festival,’ the WFF will present the screening of “Here to Stay” during the festival, Sept. 28-Oct. 2. Listed among four short films categorized as Social Dialogues, “Here to Stay” will have its screening Friday, Sept. 30 at 10 a.m. at the Woodstock Community Center.

“It’s an absolute honor for “Here to Stay” to screen alongside Woodstock’s impressive lineup this year,” said Jared. “Even more, I can’t think of a better festival to have a world premiere since Giselle’s story is an iconic Hudson Valley origin tale.”

Tickets to attend any of the WFF screenings are now on sale. For more information, visit: www.woodstockfilmfestival.com.