N.J. international film fest begins 40th year with new name, new approach

There will be no Black Maria Film Festival this year.

But fear not, independent movie lovers, it’s not going anywhere. It’s just changed its name.

The newly monikered Thomas Edison Film Festival will premiere its 2021 season at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20, with the free online screening of five short movies and a conversation with the filmmakers.

The program will be co-hosted by Princeton University’s Lewis Center for the Arts, which brings up another new twist to this year’s festival: While the 2020 fest was forced by the coronavirus outbreak to isolate itself to on-demand screenings only, the 2021 edition will “hit the road virtually” to team with various “host venues” for expanded online programming.

“Films will be continue to be hosted on our website throughout 2021, but we will not rely only on our website to promote and showcase this season’s films,”…