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 Short
Best Long Short
Best Animated Short
Best Actor/Actress
Best Direction
Best of the Fest

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.

13 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Stash Prada

    Hands down one of the best festival's we have ever been a part of! From the bottom of my heart thank you for everything! Also, one of the best concept logos name ideas and everything Jersey Devil film fest is what art is all about!

    May 2024
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  • Louie Duran

    Thank you JDFF for screening our film!

    May 2024
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  • Michael Dorfman

    We are really honored that our film DEEP TROUBLE was selected to screen in this years Jersey Devil Film Fest. Although we weren't able to attend in person, we followed the event and schedule via the festival's social media posts. Great communication, fantastic films and incredible filmmakers! Highly recommended!!

    May 2024
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  • Dean Bertram

    We had a wonderful time at the Jersey Devil Film Festival. I have been running and programming film fests myself for almost two decades (currently MidWest WeirdFest and A Night of Horror), so I can tell when organizers really care about the films and the filmmakers, and the Jersey Devil team does.

    Kathy, Debbie, and the rest of the staff were just lovely. The audience also seemed super engaged and interested in my film (The Shaver Mystery). And, as with every other filmmaker in attendance, I was given the opportunity to speak with the audience about my film after it screened, as well as at the fantastic street fair which accompanies the film fest.

    Asbury Park on the Jersey Shore is a fantastic location for a festival. It was my first time there, and I loved it. It's very much worth making the trip if your film is selected.

    I'll always submit future projects to this gem of a fest.

    May 2024
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  • Lorenzo P. Adams

    The Jersey Devil Film festival is highly reccommended for their commitment to highlight the works of up and coming filmmakers without huge platforms. Although, I couldn't attend due to health challenges, I was honored to have my short film "SIMONE" screen here in 2023 and look forward to submitting my prequel to the 1978 horror classic "Halloween."

    January 2024
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