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
2023 New Jersey International Film Festival
Select Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between June 2 - 11, 2023. Beginning at 5PM or 7PM on their show date
Voorhees Hall #105
Rutgers University
71 Hamilton Street
New Brunswick, NJ
Schedule/Tickets
General Admission Ticket=$15 Per Program; Festival All Access Pass=$100; In-Person Only Student Ticket=$10 Per Program.
Select Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between June 2 - 11, 2023. Beginning at 5PM or 7PM on their show date
Voorhees Hall #105
Rutgers University
71 Hamilton Street
New Brunswick, NJ
Schedule/Tickets
General Admission Ticket=$15 Per Program; Festival All Access Pass=$100; In-Person Only Student Ticket=$10 Per Program.
Lighthouse International Film Festival
June 7 - 11, 2023; 10:00 am - 11:30 pm
Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts & Sciences
120 Long Beach Blvd
Beach Haven, NJ
(646) 245-8400
Website/locations/tickets
The festival will present feature films, shorts, documentaries and family films, as well as panel discussions with leading film industry professionals. Taking place on Long Beach Island, NJ -- one of the East Coast's most popular surfing destinations -- the festival celebrates new, exciting and challenging films in honor of Long Beach Island's historic Barnegat Lighthouse. See above website for information on films, times, and venues.
June 7 - 11, 2023; 10:00 am - 11:30 pm
Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts & Sciences
120 Long Beach Blvd
Beach Haven, NJ
(646) 245-8400
Website/locations/tickets
The festival will present feature films, shorts, documentaries and family films, as well as panel discussions with leading film industry professionals. Taking place on Long Beach Island, NJ -- one of the East Coast's most popular surfing destinations -- the festival celebrates new, exciting and challenging films in honor of Long Beach Island's historic Barnegat Lighthouse. See above website for information on films, times, and venues.
The Trenton Film Festival
Friday-Sunday, June 9-11, 2023
Mill Hill Playhouse/Passage Theatre
205 E Front St,
Trenton, NJ
Website/Schedule/Tickets
The festival screens films by creators in various stages of their careers, hailing from nearby communities and from around the world. The festival will include post-screening Q&A's, receptions and a panel discussion that offer filmmakers a chance to share their love of film with each other and their audience members.
Friday-Sunday, June 9-11, 2023
Mill Hill Playhouse/Passage Theatre
205 E Front St,
Trenton, NJ
Website/Schedule/Tickets
The festival screens films by creators in various stages of their careers, hailing from nearby communities and from around the world. The festival will include post-screening Q&A's, receptions and a panel discussion that offer filmmakers a chance to share their love of film with each other and their audience members.
11th Annual The Golden Door International Film Festival
June 22-24, 2023
Nimbus Arts Center
329 Warren Street
Jersey City, NJ
Website
These films are not Capra-esque platitudes. Nor are they antagonistic cant. They reflect the process of creativity and the striving that shapes our wonderful reality. They are as varied as our community, one of the most densely populated cities in the world and one of the most diverse. The showings will be held in venues within the ultra-hip downtown area of Jersey City as well as uptown at the Loew's Landmark Theater. Set amidst the backdrop of the beautiful NYC Manhattan skyline, Golden Door Film Festival is recognized as being a diverse international film festival that supports emerging and established filmmakers and directors.
Submit entries on Filmway
June 22-24, 2023
Nimbus Arts Center
329 Warren Street
Jersey City, NJ
Website
These films are not Capra-esque platitudes. Nor are they antagonistic cant. They reflect the process of creativity and the striving that shapes our wonderful reality. They are as varied as our community, one of the most densely populated cities in the world and one of the most diverse. The showings will be held in venues within the ultra-hip downtown area of Jersey City as well as uptown at the Loew's Landmark Theater. Set amidst the backdrop of the beautiful NYC Manhattan skyline, Golden Door Film Festival is recognized as being a diverse international film festival that supports emerging and established filmmakers and directors.
Submit entries on Filmway
The Newark Black Film Festival
July 12 – 16, 2023
Newark Museum
49 Washington Street
Newark, NJ 07102
973.596.6550
Website
The Newark Black Film Festival (NBFF)is one of the nation's defining voices on behalf of independent film. The festival is a showcase for films that focus on the experiences and concerns of contemporary African Americans, as well as an outlet for films about the African-American experience from earlier eras. Each film selection encompasses a wide range of cinematic forms and formulas, from documentary to the avant-garde.
The festival provides emerging filmmakers, writers, directors and producers with a high profile outlet for their work.
July 12 – 16, 2023
Newark Museum
49 Washington Street
Newark, NJ 07102
973.596.6550
Website
The Newark Black Film Festival (NBFF)is one of the nation's defining voices on behalf of independent film. The festival is a showcase for films that focus on the experiences and concerns of contemporary African Americans, as well as an outlet for films about the African-American experience from earlier eras. Each film selection encompasses a wide range of cinematic forms and formulas, from documentary to the avant-garde.
The festival provides emerging filmmakers, writers, directors and producers with a high profile outlet for their work.
FilmOneFest
Saturday, July 22, 2023: 6pm - 11pm
SeaStreak Parking Lot
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
Website
(732) 291-1260
[email protected]
Cost: Free
FilmOneFest takes place in a beautiful outdoor setting with the majestic Manhattan skyline as the backdrop. FilmOneFest (a production of the Atlantic Highlands Arts Council) is the Jersey Shore's preeminent showcase for all forms of short films under two minutes in length. FilmOneFest also promotes local and international filmmaking through the use of new media and technology, educational activities and screenings, and supports its local food bank. The Atlantic Highlands Arts Council is comprised of a team of dedicated volunteers who include professional artists, educators, business leaders and community organizers. There will be Artist Vendors, Food Trucks, Live Music, 50/50 Raffle, and more!
The final film submission date is July 22, 2023
Saturday, July 22, 2023: 6pm - 11pm
SeaStreak Parking Lot
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
Website
(732) 291-1260
[email protected]
Cost: Free
FilmOneFest takes place in a beautiful outdoor setting with the majestic Manhattan skyline as the backdrop. FilmOneFest (a production of the Atlantic Highlands Arts Council) is the Jersey Shore's preeminent showcase for all forms of short films under two minutes in length. FilmOneFest also promotes local and international filmmaking through the use of new media and technology, educational activities and screenings, and supports its local food bank. The Atlantic Highlands Arts Council is comprised of a team of dedicated volunteers who include professional artists, educators, business leaders and community organizers. There will be Artist Vendors, Food Trucks, Live Music, 50/50 Raffle, and more!
The final film submission date is July 22, 2023
