*Web Series World Cup and Audio Fiction World Cup Participant!*

One of FilmFreeway's Best-Reviewed Festivals is now entering our eighth year, and we continue to get bigger and better thanks to the amazing talent that has been part of our events! Thank you to all the creators who took time to leave thoughtful reviews! We are #AllAboutTheCreators, and they clearly felt it! Just read the reviews and see for yourself.

Submissions from all over the world, and from every genre, are welcome. Quality is the only criteria: we want to showcase the very best.

We accept webseries, short films, pilots, trailers, music videos, narrative fiction podcasts, actual play fiction podcasts, actual play livestreams, and short scripts, so that all digital creators can experience the #JerseyMagic! (See our Rules section for more deets on submitting.)

Those who attend will be treated to a screening of their project at the beautiful Clairidge Movie Theater, so you can grab some popcorn and see your work up on the Big Screen!🍿 You will also have the opportunity to network and mingle with industry powerhouses, special guests, and fellow creators at the terrific 505 Cinema, where we hold our workshops and panels. Of course, parties will be part of the festivities throughout the weekend!

And our wonderful Awards Gala gives you the opportunity to eat, drink, and celebrate your work! Check out the pics, and follow our social media for videos from the events. You've never been to a festival like the #NJWebFest.

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#NJWebFest is proud to announce our new Scholarship Program and Judging Sponsorship! These initiatives allow us to address the financial barriers facing indie content creators AND ensure that our judges are paid for their time and labor: https://newjerseywebfest.com/sponsorship

Awards & Prizes

** See further below on this page for Submission Rules!

These are some of the awards that are expected for 2024 (subject to change, depending on submissions.)

WEBSERIES | PILOTS | TRAILERS | MUSIC VIDEOS | SHORTS
Best Actor in various genres (Comedy, Drama, Thriller, Sci-Fi, Fantasy...)
Best Actress in various genres (Comedy, Drama, Thriller, Sci-Fi, Fantasy...)
Best Supporting Actor in various genres (Comedy, Drama, Thriller, Sci-Fi, Fantasy...)
Best Supporting Actress in various genres (Comedy, Drama, Thriller, Sci-Fi, Fantasy...)
Best Host
Best Guest Star
Best Director in various genres (Comedy, Drama, Thriller, Sci-Fi, Fantasy...)
Best Writing in various genres (Comedy, Drama, Thriller, Sci-Fi, Fantasy...)
Best Cinematography in various genres (Comedy, Drama, Thriller, Sci-Fi, Fantasy...)
Best Ensemble Cast - Comedic
Best Ensemble Cast - Dramatic
Best On-Screen Chemistry
Best Special Effects/Video Effects
Best Editing - Comedic
Best Editing - Dramatic
Best Score/Soundtrack
Best Theme Song
Best Series Premise
Outstanding Trailer
Outstanding Music Video
Direct Selection to Partner Festivals
Outstanding Short Film
Outstanding Script
Outstanding Comedy Series
Outstanding Drama Series
Outstanding Animation Series
Outstanding Sketch Comedy Series
Outstanding Dramedy Series
Outstanding Thriller Series
Outstanding Sci-Fi Series
Outstanding Unscripted/Reality Series
Outstanding Mockumentary Series
Michael J. Ajakwe Jr. “Don’t Wait Create!” Achievement Award
Theresa Labreglio "Jersey Strong" Achievement Award
Best of the Best

FICTION PODCASTS | ACTUAL PLAY PROJECTS

*This list is an example of awards we are considering for 2024 and is subject to change at any time*

Fiction Podcast

Best Editing of a Fiction Podcast
Best Overall Sound Design of a Fiction Podcast
Best Action Sound Design of a Fiction Podcast
Best Environmental Sound Design of a Fiction Podcast
Best Director
Best Writing / Script
Best Leading Performance (1)
Best Leading Performance (2)
Best Supporting Performance (1)
Best Supporting Performance (2)
Best Chemistry
Best Ensemble Cast
Outstanding Comedy
Outstanding Drama
Outstanding Science Fiction
Outstanding Fantasy
Outstanding Horror/Thriller

Actual Play

Best Editing of an Actual Play
Best Sound Design of an Actual Play
Best Game Master of an Edited Actual Play
Best Game Master of an Unedited Actual Play
Best Player Character Performance of an Edited Actual Play
Best Player Character Performance of an Unedited Actual Play
Best Ensemble Cast of an Actual Play
Best Costume/Makeup in an Actual Play
Best Overlay Design in an Actual Play
Best Ensemble Character Art
Outstanding Edited Actual Play
Outstanding Unedited Actual Play

Combined Fiction Podcast and Actual Play

Best Cover Art
Best Series Premise
Best Original Scoring
Best Original Song
Best Anthology
Best Family Friendly
Best of the Best Audio Fiction
William Dufris "Those Who Dare, Win" Achievement Award

Rules & Terms

1. If you've uploaded a video file to FilmFreeway, great! No length limit on web series, and creators should also include a link for us to view your entire series. You can also email us the link to your show at info@newjerseywebfest.com. IF IT IS PASSWORD-PROTECTED, please make sure to provide us with the password.

2. Creators of Fiction Podcasts, Actual Play audio or video projects, and Audio Fiction standalones: Please submit a MAXIMUM of 30 minutes from your series for our judges. This can be a straight 30 minute excerpt, it could be a “highlight reel” of sorts, or anything in between. It is entirely up to you to decide what gets included in your submission, but know that is the primary thing our judges will use for acceptances, nominations, and awards. If your submission is longer than 30 minutes, initial judging will be just on that first 30 minutes.

For audio-only submissions, when you join FilmFreeway, you can upload your audio file by categorizing your work as “Music/Songwriting”. It’s currently the only category that allows you to upload audio-only files. Visit newjerseywebfest.com/FilmFreeway-podcasts for more detailed instructions. Contact Ned at podcasts@newjerseywebfest.com if you have any questions.

3. If you are selected, we may ask for a truncated version of your project for screening purposes, depending on the length of your episodes. Official Selections will be shown in screening blocks on The Big Screen at a wonderful movie theater in Montclair. Following the screening, we hold talkbacks where each project's representative can speak with the audience about their inspiration behind the project and where we can see more. For those who cannot attend, we will screen a shorter excerpt, i.e. a trailer, sizzle reel, etc, up to two minutes long, on which we recommend adding information on where we can view more. This will not affect your award consideration, as judges will be viewing your project in its entirety.

4. No premiere requirements or completion date restrictions! If it’s new to us, you can submit it! That means:

* Projects that have premiered elsewhere are welcome.

* Older projects that have been sitting on the shelf are eligible.

* Previously submitted projects that didn’t get in can be resubmitted for consideration by a new set of judges.

* New episodes from projects that were official selections in past years are also eligible!

We’re an indie-centric festival — we don’t want to limit creativity or opportunity. The only thing that matters is quality!

5. Film/web series and Actual Play Video projects that have a spoken language other than English must be subtitled in English. If your podcast is in a language other than English, we need you to email us an English transcript after submitting (email it to info@newjerseywebfest.com; include your tracking number in the subject line). Music videos don’t need to be subtitled or translated. Scripts must be in English.

6. Actual Play creators. All audio-only projects should submit as “Actual Play (Podcast)" and all livestreams and pre-recorded/edited video projects should submit as "Actual Play (Video)”. Your submission must be a maximum of 30 minutes, which you could submit an excerpt of an episode, or create a highlight reel of sorts. If you have any questions at all, contact Ned at podcasts@newjerseywebfest.com.

7. Official Selections will be announced on or before July 20, 2026.

8. Award nominees will be announced on or before August 15, 2026.

9. Event date: September 24-27, 2026.
163 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Thomas Bozarth

    What can I say, this is the Holy Grail of Web Fests. It is fun, informative, and worth your time and work.
    The best part was the organizers who take the time to speak to everyone of the attendees. I don't know how they manage to remember everyone's names and their work is so heart warming. They really care about this festival and it shows. The awards show was a blast and they make it clear this is a celebration of you and your work. I hope to be back.

    February 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for this, Thomas! Means so much to us. Our festival is built on heart, and for you to notice and then take time to write this review is truly validating and HIGHLY appreciated! Hope to see you again!

  • Erica None

    Excellent communication on every level. Very well-organized, very responsive, and for the very few delays that took place (for reasons outside of their control), it was communicated clearly too.

    Delighted by the organization and effort that went into this!

    December 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much! Thrilled to hear you felt seen and appreciated! Keep making great art!

  • Amy Raffe

    Exceptional festival in every sense. I flew from Australia and the second I entered the cinema foyer, I was greeted with hugs and by name! I felt treated like a professional the entire time and left feeling I’d made a new family. Sounds corny but true. Cinema is beautiful, comfortable and a great hub for networking, gala venue is epic and the panel discussions were very enlightening. Only criticism is they need a better photographer for the gala haha- no flash, no lighting and cut out the name of the awards when taking photos of the winners. BUT! Overall my favourite festival I’ve been apart of.

    October 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks for this! It was soooo nice to meet you, and we are thrilled you enjoyed your time here. Thanks so much for coming all the way from Australia, and we're so happy to be your favorite festival :) And well-noted about the photographer haha

  • Elisabeth Ness

    We had such a wonderful time at NJ Web Fest! Neem, Ned, and their fabulous team were open and communicative, generously accommodated our needs regarding our particularly elderly star -- and even though we started off as strangers, they embraced all of us as part of the NJ Web Fest family. They clearly prioritize having a welcoming, family-like ethos, and their love of and support for all the filmmakers is palpable in everything they do. (They're also just a heck of a lot of fun!) The screening took place at a well-regarded Montclair cinema whose screening room has great visuals and sound (which is not a given for web festivals in general). The Gala was in a nice event space with delicious food and fun people. ...Our experience at NJ Web Fest makes me want to create another web series, just so I can come back!

    October 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Well, if we inspired you to make more great art, then our job is done! :) That's what it's all about! Thank you so much for this thoughtful review. You all were an absolute gem to meet, and we look forward to seeing you again in the future!

  • Torin Hight

    This festival was absolutely amazing! Everyone was so welcoming and I had the pleasure of getting to know several very talented people working in different mediums. From the moment you walk in, they make you feel like family. So to both the staff and fellow attendees, thank you so much!!

    October 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    And you and your film are also absolutely amazing! Thanks for coming, and we are thrilled you had a great time, and that you met so many new talented creators like yourself.