This is a grassroots festival celebrating the outliers and fringe dwellers. What fears may come in the deep dark woods? That's what we want to know! Filmmakers are encouraged to explore the deep dark woods, the creatures that people them, and any other strange phenomena that might occur!

Films DO NOT have to be related to the Jersey Devil, but cryptids, witches, folklore and mythology are all good places to start.

Micro Shorts- Films under 3 minutes. These arere little snapshots of ideas and experimental images. Animation, stop motion, pretty much any thing that scares you.

Shorts- 3-10 minutes A deeper exploration of your idea and narrative.

Long Short up to 20 minutes- This allows for character development and a greater depth to the plot and story you want to explore.

Awards & Prizes

Prizes will be awarded in:

Best Micro Short
Best Short
Best Long Short

Best Screen Play
Best Actor/Actress
Best Direction

Best Overall and Audience Favorite

Rules & Terms

General Eligibility

Submissions must be accompanied by the applicable submission fee PER ENTRY and a completed online entry form. All films must be in English or have English subtitles at the time submitted.

Films must be submitted as an online streaming video via a participating submission platform ( FilmFreeway), a password-protected streaming URL. DVD will be accepted with prior approval

Films that have been submitted to JDFF in previous years are eligible to be resubmitted, provided they are eligible according to all of JDFF’s current rules.

Films with US distribution (obtained prior to being selected for AFF screening) or films produced, financed or initiated by a major film studio or television network are ineligible for competition, but may be considered for a special screening. Selection for screening will be determined no later than 14 days prior to the festival.

Short films that are publicly available online prior to the Festival may be considered for exhibition during the Festival,

JDFF reserves the right in its sole discretion to reject or disqualify any ineligible entries, without a refund.

Films that are selected to screen at the Festival may not necessarily be selected to be 'in competition' for awards purposes. Notifications regarding potential selection for competition status possibly may occur subsequent to notifications of acceptance for exhibition.

2 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Joseph Junod

    Great festival. Everyone involved from the hosts, to the judges, the filmmakers, and audience members this festival attracts were great. Happy to be a part of it and looking forward to the next one.

    May 2022
    Helpful
  • Scott Bolger

    So thankful for my film Twine being included in the festival! Great curation and communication, awesome venue/town. Highly recommended.

    May 2022
    Helpful