THE DOWNBEACH Film Festival is moving uptown.

Last year, the modest exhibition of independent movies debuted in the AyCee bedroom community of Margate. This year, each of the five full-length theatrical features, five documentaries and a slew of shorts will be on view at the Screening Room, the jewel box of a theater on the 13th floor of Resorts Atlantic City.

Basing the event that runs today through Sunday in Atlantic City was always the objective of festival founder William Sokolic, a Northeast Philly native and longtime Ventnor resident. But last year's maiden voyage was hampered by the existence of a similar (now extinct) affair called the Atlantic City Film Festival.

"I didn't want to be sued, so I decided to do a 'Downbeach Film Festival,' " said Sokolic, referring to the geographic designation locals apply to the three towns that share Absecon Island (the others are Ventnor and Longport) with the casino capital.

Because he already established the "Downbeach" moniker, Sokolic kept it. But for this year's edition, he's using the official title "Downbeach Film Festival presents Atlantic City Cinefest" to reflect the change of venue.

Sokolic, who for years covered Atlantic City and the Jersey Shore for the Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, described himself as an idea man who usually didn't do much with his brainstorms. "But this was one idea I decided I'd follow through on," he said. He also had an ulterior motive: As an aspiring screenwriter, he admitted, "I hoped I'd get someone to help with my screenplays."

That has yet to pan out, but the festival did have an impressive debut, as director Kevin Smith ("Clerks," "Jersey Girl") attended to accept the fest's first Lifesaver Award. This year's headliner is veteran character actor Martin Kove (the two "Karate Kid" sequels, "Wyatt Earp").

Film fests tend to specialize in certain genres, themes or aspects that all entries share. While Sokolic said it wasn't planned, most of this weekend's movies "have a New Jersey connection. They were either filmed in New Jersey, set in New Jersey, or the filmmakers are from New Jersey. That wasn't by design; it just turned out that way."

Sokolic is particularly enthusiastic about "Ice Grill USA," a crime thriller he described as "kind of a low-budget film done in Atlantic City. I think it's a real good film, a sleeper." He also spoke highly of "Sam's Rain," a study of the Iraq War's psychological effects on a returning G.I.

On the documentary front, Sokolic singled out two of the five as especially noteworthy: "Band of Pirates," a look at Seton Hall University's 1989 NCAA championship men's basketball team, and "The Cartel," a hard-hitting expose of the nation's public education system.

For Sokolic, the Downbeach Film Festival is, first and foremost a labor of love, which is why he came back for an encore, even in a tough economic climate that has made it difficult to find sponsorship. He expressed gratitude for Resorts' involvement but also gave shout-outs to the Taj Mahal and Borgata, which supplied hotel rooms (the Taj is hosting Sunday's awards ceremony and reception).

Sokolic's goal is to grow the Downbeach Film Festival into a recognized stop on the festival circuit. He dreams of it one day being equal to such cinematic orgies as Sundance or Toronto. He knows that's a tall order, but, as he put it, "I'm sure Toronto started out as a small festival."

Resorts Atlantic City, Boardwalk at North Carolina Avenue, today through Sunday. Tickets, a full schedule of events and film descriptions at www.downbeachfilmfestival.org.

Magically entertaining

 

The linebacker-sized Kozak, who has been at the Stop for months, deftly combines gold-medal-grade sleight of hand, astounding mind-manipulation stunts and hilarious interplay with audience members to create the kind of resident entertainment the town needs going forward if it is to survive out-of-state competition.

Kozak's daily romps have two other bonuses that make them special: His program is family-friendly, and the 6 p.m. start time means it's likewise suitable for the under-18 crowd.

Get thee to see Kozak, ASAP!

Tropicana Casino and Resort, Boardwalk at Brighton Avenue, 6 p.m. daily, $30 (includes 5 p.m. dinner) and $23 (show only), 609-348-0920, www.comedystop.com.

 

This and chat

 

Chuck Darrow has covered Atlantic City and casinos for more than 20 years. Read his blog http://go.philly.com/casinotes.

E-mail him at darrowc@phillynews.com.

And listen to his Atlantic City report Saturdays at 1:25 a.m. with Steve Trevelise on WIP (610-AM).

 

If you still haven't caught Paul Kozak at the Comedy Stop at The Quarter inside Tropicana Casino and Resort, you are depriving yourself of one of the most enjoyable shows you'll see anywhere.