Hello, my name is Aron Zajan. I’m so honored to have won the governor's award for my short film Eyes The Beholder, which was my first of many short film projects. I had a passion for the arts from a very young age. I was originally born in Lithuania and came here at the age of five, but through the moving process and being an only child, I had a lot of downtime, which was filled with imagination and a passion for art. I really found my footing as an artist in high school, where I currently reside as a class of 2025 senior at OCVTS Grunin Performing Arts Academy, where I became obsessed with writing and creating. I started off with one-act plays that I got the opportunity to produce and showcase. My true love was always film. I have always been infatuated with films and digital media since I can remember. I knew I had to jump in, so I decided to create my first short film, Eyes of the Beholder. This film has taught me so much and taken me to so many places, such as the Block Island Film Festival in Rhode Island, and opened so many other incredible doors, including the governor's award, which I'm so honored to receive. I have since continued on other projects and short films, which you can find information on Instagram @Zaj_Productions_. I wish to pursue film in college, but I know no matter what I do in life, I will never stop creating. I was born to tell stories, and that’s what I will continue to do.
A class learning about Edgar Allan Poe quickly erupted into panic after they found out that the president was assassinated. However, the panic will turn into sheer terror. Once they find out the president was actually a shape-shifting ancient being, and if someone in such high power can be corrupted, who's to say the person right next to them isn't a bloodthirsty monster as well? Poster by Ally Hovance
The final night of filming Arachnia summer 2024
Arachnia the second Zaj Productions short film.
Aronas Zajan, Gabe Amoroso, Gracie Hammel, Kyle Bodie, Jules Emer, Isabella Falzarano, Olivia Linton, Keira Kennis, Noelle Bennett, Maya Moynihan, Ryan Kashuck, Ally Hovance
One of my favorite shots in the entire film.
On set of Eyes of the Beholder
Arachnia follows Val, a young teenage girl whose brother has been abducted by an evil scientist, Val, and attempts to rescue her brother but in doing so she loses her life and to bring her back Val is cursed transforms into the powerful Arachnia. Poster by Aronas Zajan
A class learning about Edgar Allan Poe quickly erupted into panic after they found out that the president was assassinated. However, the panic will turn into sheer terror. Once they find out the president was actually a shape-shifting ancient being, and if someone in such high power can be corrupted, who's to say the person right next to them isn't a bloodthirsty monster as well?
The Governor’s Awards in Arts Education began in 1980 to promote awareness and appreciation of the arts, recognizing the creativity, talent and leadership of the award winners. Each year, awards are presented to approximately 20 educators and 80 students. National and statewide organizations select the students for their exemplary work in creative writing, speech, dance, music, theatre and visual arts and the leaders for their exceptional commitment and contribution to arts education. The program also recognizes arts educators and arts education advocates, whose leadership has helped nurture the development of students in the arts across the state.
The Governor’s Awards event is a partnership of the Arts Ed NJ, the Department of Education, Art Pride New Jersey Foundation, the Department of State and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Additional support is provided by: the Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics; Art Educators of New Jersey; Art Administrators of New Jersey; Dance New Jersey; New Jersey Council of Teachers of English; New Jersey Speech and Debate League; New Jersey Music Educators Association; New Jersey Performing Arts Center; Writer's Theatre of New Jersey; Speech and Theatre Association of New Jersey; New Jersey Thespians and Young Audiences of New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. The cooperating organizations, award sponsors and individual members of the planning council dedicate their time to make sure that excellence in the arts is rewarded, and work tirelessly throughout the year to plan this special event. The Governor's Awards in Arts Education ceremony are a major collaborative effort of the arts, education and state government.