Experience the Magic: Top New Jersey Film Festivals to Attend

top NJ Film Festivals

Guide to NJ festivals. Features the showcasing of 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.

Upcoming New Jersey Film Festivals

Arthouse Film Festival, NJ

Arthouse Film Festival Fall 2024
November 4, 11, 18, 2024
at The Village at SOPAC
South Orange Performing Arts Center
South Orange, NJ
Cost:
$146 or $167
This film festival selects the best, new, award-winning films from Sundance, Cannes, Toronto, Tribeca, SXSW and the other important film festivals, and screen them before release to the public. Whenever possible, they have the filmmakers and actors right there to discuss their work and answer your questions.

Teaneck Film Festival

Annual Teaneck International Film Festival
November 7th to 14th, 2024; 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM
at Five venues in Teaneck, NJ
The film festival has developed a niche in the film festival circuit present a collection of compelling and imaginative feature-length films, documentaries, and shorts from a variety of cultures that would lead audiences to question, debate, and become caring and involved citizens who recognize the need to institute positive change.

Darkside Film Festival, NJ

Darkside New Jersey Film Festival
Saturday, November 16, 2024: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
NJ Convention and Expo Center
97 Sunfield Avenue
Edison, NJ
Tickets: $15
This event features both traditional films, and the weird, the odd, the curious, and the macabre. Each film is a haunting descent into the unknown with visions drenched in darkness, dripping with oddity, and pulsing with dread. From unsettling horrors to surreal, twisted narratives, these films claw at the mind and leave shadows in their wake. There will also be body art exhibits, tattooing, piercings, taxidermy classes, guest speakers, and so much more.

Horror Con Film Festival, NJ

New Jersey Horror Con and Film Festival
March 1st, 2nd, 2025
NJ Expo Center
97 Sunfield Ave.
Edison, NJ
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!

New Jersey Jewish Film Festival

Annual New Jersey Jewish Film Festival
March 20 - April 6, 2025
New Jersey Jewish Film Festival
760 Northfield Ave
West Orange, NJ
The New Jersey Jewish Film Festival presents a wide range of exceptional films of Jewish interest (i.e., films with Jewish themes or content and/or films made by Jewish and Israeli filmmakers).

Garden State Film Festival

Annual Garden State Film Festival
March 27 - 30, 2025
Multiple venues In
Asbury Park, Cranford, and Ocean Grove, NJ
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.

Princeton Environmental Film Festival

Annual Princeton Environmental Film Festival
April 4-13, 2025
Princeton Public Library
Princeton, NJ
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.
Submission deadline is January 17, 2025.

Lighthouse International Film Festival, NJ

Lighthouse International Film Festival
June 4 -8, 2025
Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts & Sciences
120 Long Beach Blvd
The festival is a spectacular showcase of films handpicked from the top film festivals worldwide, including Sundance, SXSW, TIFF and more. ​ As the festival approaches, the excitement is palpable. Filmmakers and movie buffs from around the globe join us on our 18 miles of Jersey Shore paradise to immerse themselves in a world of cinematic artistry, entertainment and stimulating conversation. ​ Choose from an All Access Pass for entry to any film or party, a Films Only Pass for all film screenings, or individual tickets for less commitment.

Golden Door Film Festival, NJ

Annual The Golden Door International Film Festival
June 26-28, 2025
Nimbus Arts Center
329 Warren Street
Jersey City, NJ
This three-day film festival holds the opportunity for filmmakers, actors, and crew to network with colleagues and share their work with the public in the heart of the indie filmmaking landscape. Supported and attended by top industry influencers, distributors, celebrities. In addition, GDIFF has also become one of the most important outlets for raising awareness for Autism and other disabilities through its innovative special needs panels and film platform.