Experience the Magic: Top New Jersey Film Festivals to Attend

Q: Question What types of film festivals are held in New Jersey?

Answer New Jersey hosts a wide range of film festivals, from those celebrating independent cinema to events focused on specific genres like documentaries, animation, horror, or international films.

Q: Question Who are these festivals for?

Answer The festivals cater to a diverse audience, including film enthusiasts, industry professionals, and casual viewers looking to explore unique storytelling and cinematic art.

Q: Question Do these festivals feature local filmmakers?

Answer Yes, many festivals highlight the work of local filmmakers alongside national and international talent, offering a platform for emerging and established artists alike.

Q: Question Are there opportunities for audience interaction?

Answer Absolutely! Most festivals include Q&A sessions with filmmakers, panel discussions, and networking events for attendees to engage more deeply with the art and creators.

Q: Question When do these festivals typically take place?

Answer Film festivals in New Jersey occur throughout the year, with a variety of themes and schedules to suit different tastes and interests.

Q: Question Can independent filmmakers submit their work?

Answer Yes, many festivals encourage submissions from independent filmmakers, often featuring juried competitions with awards for standout films.

Q: Question Are these events family-friendly?

Answer While some festivals are suitable for all ages, others focus on mature themes or niche genres. It’s best to check the specific festival’s programming for details.

Guide to the top New Jersey Film Festivals

NJ Film festivals. Showcasing Independent, non-studio film makers including students, emerging film producers, and film buffs.

New Jersey hosts a number of film festivals throughout the year, allowing filmmakers, actors, and film enthusiasts to come together and showcase their love for cinema. These film festivals range from events focused on independent cinema to those concentrating on specific genres, catering to a diverse group of audience.

They are are 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.

2025 New Jersey Film Festivals

The Newark Black Film Festival
July 16 - 20, 2025
Newark Museum
49 Washington Street
Newark, NJ
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. In 2024, thwy will continue this legacy with exclusive screenings of films from the last three years, live in-person panel discussions with filmmakers, and throwback screenings of classics.

FilmOneFest
Saturday, July 19th, 2025: 5pm until 11pm (rain date July 21st)
Atlantic Highlands Marina
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
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

Axelrod Jewish International Film Festival
Selected dates: Sunday, July 20, until Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Axelrod Performing Arts Center
100 Grant Avenue
Deal Park, NJ
The festival's mission is to showcase Israel's emergence as a powerhouse in the foreign film industry by spotlighting outstanding new films created by Israeli and/or Jewish filmmakers. These films celebrate the cultural experience of being Jewish as well as universal topics that appeal to the broader community.<

EB Indie Film Festival
Saturday, August 2, 2025; 12pm until 5pm
East Brunswick Community Art Center
721 Cranbury Rd,
East Brunswick, NJ
Cost: $10
The Annual EB Indie Film Festival showcases top 14 short films by young creatives globally.
Their goal is to provide a professional and educational space for young filmmakers to have the opportunity to connect and grow with one another.

Garden State Film Festival : Best of The Fest Arts Garage
August 14, 2025 6:30 PM
Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University
Atlantic City, NJ
Cost: $17.00 ($19.51 with service fee)
This event features an array of award winning short films from around the globe. Event includes: 6:30pm - 7:30pm: Sips and Treats Reception Mingle with fellow film lovers while enjoying complimentary bites, and a cash wine/beer bar, (provided by Ducktown Tavern). 7:30pm: Screening begins featuring award-winning short films from past festivals

Indie Street Film Festival
August 18th until 24th, 2025
The Vogel at Count Basie Center for the Arts
99 Monmouth St.
Red Bank, NJ
Indie Street Film Festival is a regional film and arts festival that combines its curated film selections with connective community events in order to celebrate human creativity and storytelling.
In recent years the festival has touted films that have also been official selections/nominees and award winners at Sundance, Slamdance, SXSW, Spirit Awards, and the Oscars.

Fall 2025 New Jersey Film Festival
Select Fridays and Sundays between between September 5-October 10, 2025
Voorhees Hall #105
Rutgers University
71 Hamilton Street
New Brunswick, NJ
This event features a Super 8 Film and Digital Video Festival dedicated to exhibiting independent, classic, international, and experimental films. The Festival will be a hybrid one as we will be presenting it online as well as doing select in-person screenings at Rutgers University. The acclaimed band Cold Weather Company will be doing an audio-visual concert on Friday, October 10 at 7PM! They will also be offering three FREE Filmmaking Workshops! The in-person screenings, the filmmaking workshops and the Cold Weather Company concert

Queen City Film Festival
October 16th - 19th, 2025
Cinemark Watchung and XD
1670 US-22
Watchung, NJ
This 4 day film festival dedicated to uplifting underrepresented filmmakers and communities through high quality screening events, continuing education, professional development and audience cultivation opportunities for filmmakers regardless of experience level? The festival also offers youth mentoring and internships for college level youth and area high school students.

Lambertville, NJ Halloween Film Festival

Lambertville Halloween Film Festival
October 17th - 19th, 2025
25 South Union Street
Lambertville, NJ
Welcome to the first annual Lambertville Halloween Film Festival! In addition to showcasing filmmakers and other talented artists, the goal of this year's festival is to give you an unforgettable Halloween experience. This year's short film festival will be broken down in three blocks: -Heady Horror (psychological thrillers, Sci-Fi, and slow-burn horror) -Guts and Gore (slashers, exploitation, and after-dark) -Happy Halloween! (Any short film with that Halloween vibe--even if it's not horror.)

Northeast Film Festival - Horror Fest
December 6, 2025
The Teaneck Cinemas
503 Cedar Ln.
Teaneck, NJ
The Northeast Film Festival Horror Fest showcases top independent films from celebrated filmmakers, as well as new talent. The diverse array of films, selected by a committee, includes features and shorts from the horror and thriller genres.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
New Jersey Film Festivals

Question
What types of film festivals are held in New Jersey?

Answer

New Jersey hosts a wide range of film festivals, from those celebrating independent cinema to events focused on specific genres like documentaries, animation, horror, or international films.

Question
Who are these festivals for?

Answer
The festivals cater to a diverse audience, including film enthusiasts, industry professionals, and casual viewers looking to explore unique storytelling and cinematic art.

Question
Do these festivals feature local filmmakers?

Answer
Yes, many festivals highlight the work of local filmmakers alongside national and international talent, offering a platform for emerging and established artists alike.

Question
Are there opportunities for audience interaction?

Answer
Absolutely! Most festivals include Q&A sessions with filmmakers, panel discussions, and networking events for attendees to engage more deeply with the art and creators.

Question
When do these festivals typically take place?

Answer
Film festivals in New Jersey occur throughout the year, with a variety of themes and schedules to suit different tastes and interests.

Question
Can independent filmmakers submit their work?

Answer
Yes, many festivals encourage submissions from independent filmmakers, often featuring juried competitions with awards for standout films.

Question
Are these events family-friendly?

Answer
While some festivals are suitable for all ages, others focus on mature themes or niche genres. It’s best to check the specific festival’s programming for details.