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 from January 16 to February 27 2022 (except Super Bowl Sunday, February 12)
AMC Theatre at Essex Green
West Orange, NJ
Website / Schedule
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. This year's event will feature comedy-focused festival screenings
Sundays from January 16 to February 27 2022 (except Super Bowl Sunday, February 12)
AMC Theatre at Essex Green
West Orange, NJ
Website / Schedule
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. This year's event will feature comedy-focused festival screenings
New Jersey Film Festival Spring 2022
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between January 28 and February 20, 2022
Rutgers University
Voorhees Hall #105
71 Hamilton Street
New Brunswick, NJ
(848)932-8482
Schedule/Tickets Note: The select live screenings will be held in beginning at 7PM for each program on their show date. Ticket buyers will also have special access to Filmmaker Introductions and Q+A Sessions for many of the films. Tickets are $15 per program, or $100 for Festival All Access Pass.
This years Spring festival will be a hybrid one as They will be presenting the Festival online as well as doing select live screenings. 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 select live screenings.
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between January 28 and February 20, 2022
Rutgers University
Voorhees Hall #105
71 Hamilton Street
New Brunswick, NJ
(848)932-8482
Schedule/Tickets Note: The select live screenings will be held in beginning at 7PM for each program on their show date. Ticket buyers will also have special access to Filmmaker Introductions and Q+A Sessions for many of the films. Tickets are $15 per program, or $100 for Festival All Access Pass.
This years Spring festival will be a hybrid one as They will be presenting the Festival online as well as doing select live screenings. 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 select live screenings.
Annual New Jersey Jewish Virtual Film Festival
March 20 - April 10, 2022
New Jersey Jewish Film Festival
760 Northfield Ave
West Orange, NJ
Phone: 973-530-3400
Email: info@jccmetrowest.org
Website & Submissions
All films will be available to stream on the Elevent platform. Films will only be able to be accessed from New Jersey.
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. Our springtime festival features high-quality, award-winning films. We 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.
Dates & Deadlines
November 19, 2021 • Regular Deadline
December 13, 2021 • Late Deadline
January 21, 2022 • Notification Date
March 20 - April 10, 2022
New Jersey Jewish Film Festival
760 Northfield Ave
West Orange, NJ
Phone: 973-530-3400
Email: info@jccmetrowest.org
Website & Submissions
All films will be available to stream on the Elevent platform. Films will only be able to be accessed from New Jersey.
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. Our springtime festival features high-quality, award-winning films. We 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.
Dates & Deadlines
November 19, 2021 • Regular Deadline
December 13, 2021 • Late Deadline
January 21, 2022 • Notification Date
20th Annual Garden State Film Festival
March 23 - 27, 2022
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 - 27, 2022
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
Passaic County Film Festival
April 30, 2022; 6:30pm
Drive-In Movie:
Preakness Valley Golf Course
Rear Parking Lot
209 Totowa Road
Wayne, NJ
Call for entries - 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.
DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: February 1, 2022 by 4:00 PM
April 30, 2022; 6:30pm
Drive-In Movie:
Preakness Valley Golf Course
Rear Parking Lot
209 Totowa Road
Wayne, NJ
Call for entries - 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.
DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: February 1, 2022 by 4:00 PM
Lighthouse International Film Festival
June 2 - 5, 2022; 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 2 - 5, 2022; 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.
