North Jersey Becomes Hub for Emerging Urban Filmmakers – Press Release

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 25, 2025

Contact: Jerry Dean Hocek
Click here to contact me.

 

North Jersey Becomes Hub for Emerging Urban Filmmakers

Fort Lee, New Jersey — Jerry Dean Hocek started pre-production for his first full-length independent film titled Homecoming. The film’s production is set to begin in January 1, 2026. The plot is loosely based on Hocek’s temporary move from New Jersey to the West Coast in 2020 and his eventual return to The Garden State. Homecoming is a heartfelt, powerful drama that explores themes of family, reconciliation, and second chances. It’s the story of a man who returns to his hometown to confront unresolved past wounds, all while navigating the complex relationships with those he left behind. We are committed to telling this story with authenticity, emotion, and deep connection to the characters and their journeys.

Homecoming follows Jimmy Novak, a man in his 40s who, after years of avoiding his past, returns to his New Jersey hometown to settle his father’s estate. Confronted by old wounds and unresolved tensions, Jimmy reconnects with childhood friends, estranged family members, and a community he thought he left behind forever. As he navigates his fractured relationships, he must come to terms with his own personal challenges and learn to forgive — both others and himself.

Hocek was inspired to make the film while recently residing on the slow, largely undeveloped coast of Washington. He recalls, “I had the perfect conditions for some deep contemplation to decide what else I wanted to accomplish, and producing a full-length film landed at the top of my list.”

Hocek attributes his past experience in acting and co-producing short films with friends that previously working in the film industry as the catalyst for his love for filmmaking. He states, “I witnessed how producing a film lifted the spirits of everyone involved. I believe that engaging in creative expression develops purpose, joy, passion, and can also be instrumental in therapeutic programs. Filmmaking requires effective execution of ongoing tasks in a structured process within a team dynamic, which mirrors the work environment in most corporations and the military. Why aren’t they teaching film production in public schools? Let’s make that happen”

The entire production of Homecoming will be documented in an ongoing series of behind-the-scenes video episodes published on Hocek’s blog at JerryDeanShow.com, as well as various social media platforms. The documentary will serve as an online video tutorial for those interested in learning how to produce films, and will chronicle how the lives of the young film crew are impacted from working on the film. The project is being funded by advertisers and sponsors featured in the documentary, as well as product placement opportunities in the film itself. This allows participating businesses to write off their contributions as marketing expenses.

###