New Jersey Film Festivals
Popular Independent, Non Studio Film Makers
The NJ Film Festivals showcase quality production and content from independent, non-studio film makers.
The festivals are a popular attraction for students, emerging film producers, directors, performers and film buffs.
They are typically themed and cover a wide range of creative arts on Super 8mm/8mm film, Digital video, and 8mm video formats on a variety of themes including: educational, cultural, documentary, non-mainstream, spiritual, animation, music video, local, national, and international.
Note: Sometimes conditions require cancellations or changes of dates, times and location which are not reflected in the original schedule. Before planning a trip to visit one of the listed events, it is suggested that you call the event sponsor to confirm the event schedule or for additional information on the event.
Upcoming New Jersey Film Festivals
Annual West Orange Classic Film Festival
Sundays, January 8th thru March 5th, 2023, excluding Super Bowl Sunday
AMC Theatre in Essex Green Shopping Center
Prospect Avenue
West Orange, NJ.
Schedule/Tickets
The West Orange Classic Film Festival provides lovers of cinema a chance to experience their favorite films as they were meant to be seen— on the big screen.
The film lineup is "The Adventures of Robin Hood" on Jan. 8 with speaker Stephen Whitty; Abbott and Costello's "Jack and the Beanstalk" on Jan. 15 with speaker Bob Furmanek; "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" on Jan. 22 with speaker John Chasse; Jean Cocteau's "Beauty and the Beast" on Jan. 29 with speaker Gerard Amsellem; "The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad" on Feb. 5 with speaker Paul Castiglia; "Yellow Submarine" on Feb. 19 with speaker Dave Zimmer; "The Princess Bride" on Feb. 26 with speaker Stephen Whitty; and "Field of Dreams" on March 5 with speaker Ed Randall.
Sundays, January 8th thru March 5th, 2023, excluding Super Bowl Sunday
AMC Theatre in Essex Green Shopping Center
Prospect Avenue
West Orange, NJ.
Schedule/Tickets
The West Orange Classic Film Festival provides lovers of cinema a chance to experience their favorite films as they were meant to be seen— on the big screen.
The film lineup is "The Adventures of Robin Hood" on Jan. 8 with speaker Stephen Whitty; Abbott and Costello's "Jack and the Beanstalk" on Jan. 15 with speaker Bob Furmanek; "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" on Jan. 22 with speaker John Chasse; Jean Cocteau's "Beauty and the Beast" on Jan. 29 with speaker Gerard Amsellem; "The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad" on Feb. 5 with speaker Paul Castiglia; "Yellow Submarine" on Feb. 19 with speaker Dave Zimmer; "The Princess Bride" on Feb. 26 with speaker Stephen Whitty; and "Field of Dreams" on March 5 with speaker Ed Randall.
New Jersey Film Festival Spring 2023
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between January 27-February 19, 2023
Rutgers University
Voorhees Hall #105
71 Hamilton Street
New Brunswick, NJ
(848)932-8482
Schedule/Tickets
Note: The Festival will be a hybrid one as They will be presenting it online as well as doing in-person screenings at Rutgers University. All the films will be available virtually via Video on Demand for 24 hours on their show date. Each ticket or Festival Pass purchased is good for both the virtual and the in-person screenings. The in-person screenings will be held in Voorhees Hall #105/Rutgers University beginning at 5PM or 7PM on their show date.
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between January 27-February 19, 2023
Rutgers University
Voorhees Hall #105
71 Hamilton Street
New Brunswick, NJ
(848)932-8482
Schedule/Tickets
Note: The Festival will be a hybrid one as They will be presenting it online as well as doing in-person screenings at Rutgers University. All the films will be available virtually via Video on Demand for 24 hours on their show date. Each ticket or Festival Pass purchased is good for both the virtual and the in-person screenings. The in-person screenings will be held in Voorhees Hall #105/Rutgers University beginning at 5PM or 7PM on their show date.
Annual New Jersey Jewish Film Festival
March 12 - 26, 2023
New Jersey Jewish Film Festival
760 Northfield Ave
West Orange, NJ
Phone: 973-530-3400
Email: info@jccmetrowest.org
Website & Submissions
New Jersey Jewish Film Festival (NJJFF) fosters the growth of Jewish culture, identity, and community in New Jersey by presenting a wide range of exceptional films of Jewish interest. NJJFF offers audiences direct exposure to directors, performers, writers, reviewers, and scholars.
Vision New Jersey Jewish Film Festival strives to offer our region a rich tapestry of Jewish film programming. Their springtime festival features high-quality, award-winning films. They invite film creatives and other speakers of interest and renown to lead our post-screening discussions.
Films submitted to the New Jersey Jewish Film Festival must be of Jewish content or created by Jewish filmmakers.
March 12 - 26, 2023
New Jersey Jewish Film Festival
760 Northfield Ave
West Orange, NJ
Phone: 973-530-3400
Email: info@jccmetrowest.org
Website & Submissions
New Jersey Jewish Film Festival (NJJFF) fosters the growth of Jewish culture, identity, and community in New Jersey by presenting a wide range of exceptional films of Jewish interest. NJJFF offers audiences direct exposure to directors, performers, writers, reviewers, and scholars.
Vision New Jersey Jewish Film Festival strives to offer our region a rich tapestry of Jewish film programming. Their springtime festival features high-quality, award-winning films. They invite film creatives and other speakers of interest and renown to lead our post-screening discussions.
Films submitted to the New Jersey Jewish Film Festival must be of Jewish content or created by Jewish filmmakers.
21st Annual Garden State Film Festival
March 23 - 26, 2023
Multiple venues
Asbury Park, NJ
877-908-7050
Website & Tickets
The artistic philosophy of the Garden State Film Festival is rooted in the celebration of the independent film genre and the creation of a forum where local and other independent filmmakers can exhibit their work. In addition, our event provides novice and aspiring filmmakers, actors, and others interested in a career in the film business, the opportunity to meet and network with industry professionals in an atmosphere that is conducive to learning and mentoring. Past attendees include Glenn Close, Paul Sorvino, Budd Schulberg, Kurtwood Smith, James Gandolfini, Celeste Holm and Clarence Clemons.
March 23 - 26, 2023
Multiple venues
Asbury Park, NJ
877-908-7050
Website & Tickets
The artistic philosophy of the Garden State Film Festival is rooted in the celebration of the independent film genre and the creation of a forum where local and other independent filmmakers can exhibit their work. In addition, our event provides novice and aspiring filmmakers, actors, and others interested in a career in the film business, the opportunity to meet and network with industry professionals in an atmosphere that is conducive to learning and mentoring. Past attendees include Glenn Close, Paul Sorvino, Budd Schulberg, Kurtwood Smith, James Gandolfini, Celeste Holm and Clarence Clemons.
Annual Princeton Environmental Film Festival
March 24-31, 2023
Princeton Public Library
Princeton, NJ
Website
The mission is to share exceptional documentary films and engage our community in exploring environmental sustainability from a wide range of angles and perspectives. Most of our screenings are accompanied by a Q&A with film directors and producers, as well as other talks by invited speakers who visit for the festival or live here in our local community.
We are accepting film submissions now through Jan. 23, 2023
March 24-31, 2023
Princeton Public Library
Princeton, NJ
Website
The mission is to share exceptional documentary films and engage our community in exploring environmental sustainability from a wide range of angles and perspectives. Most of our screenings are accompanied by a Q&A with film directors and producers, as well as other talks by invited speakers who visit for the festival or live here in our local community.
We are accepting film submissions now through Jan. 23, 2023
New Jersey Horror Con and Film Festival
March 24, 25, 26, 2023
Showboat Casino/Hotel
Atlantic City, NJ
Website/tickets
This event features amazing Horror films in the indie scene and also an opportunity to mingle with big names in horror. Horror fans can also participate in Q&A sessions, see the amazing vendors from around the Horror scene and watch the best indie films around. The event will include over 20 well known celebrities, many Indie Horror films, Film Awards, Exclusive Q and A panels, 100 + vendors, Cosplay, Trivia Contest, Photo Ops and more!
March 24, 25, 26, 2023
Showboat Casino/Hotel
Atlantic City, NJ
Website/tickets
This event features amazing Horror films in the indie scene and also an opportunity to mingle with big names in horror. Horror fans can also participate in Q&A sessions, see the amazing vendors from around the Horror scene and watch the best indie films around. The event will include over 20 well known celebrities, many Indie Horror films, Film Awards, Exclusive Q and A panels, 100 + vendors, Cosplay, Trivia Contest, Photo Ops and more!
Passaic County Film Festival
April 29, 2023; 6:30pm
Drive-In Movie:
Preakness Valley Golf Course
Rear Parking Lot
209 Totowa Road
Wayne, NJ
Website - Submission Entry Form
This is a juried exhibition of student and independent filmmakers' work. The Festival will showcase a wide range of film projects created by students and independent filmmakers who live, attend school, or work in Passaic County.
The objective of the Film Festival is to support student and independent film makers by providing a public forum in which to showcase their work and provide an opportunity to interact with members of the television and film making community.
April 29, 2023; 6:30pm
Drive-In Movie:
Preakness Valley Golf Course
Rear Parking Lot
209 Totowa Road
Wayne, NJ
Website - Submission Entry Form
This is a juried exhibition of student and independent filmmakers' work. The Festival will showcase a wide range of film projects created by students and independent filmmakers who live, attend school, or work in Passaic County.
The objective of the Film Festival is to support student and independent film makers by providing a public forum in which to showcase their work and provide an opportunity to interact with members of the television and film making community.
