*Web Series World Cup Participant!*

Just ten days after our first festival took place, we became one of FilmFreeway's Best-Reviewed Festivals -- and now as we enter our fifth year, 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 2023 (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: LA WebFest
Direct Selection: Seoul WebFest
Direct Selection: Miami WebFest
Direct Selection: Asia Web Awards
Direct Selection: Rio WebFest
Direct Selection: Baltimore Next Media WebFest
Direct Selection: Minnesota WebFest
Direct Selection: Apulia WebFest
Direct Selection: London Short Series
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!” Award
Best of the Best Web Series

FICTION PODCASTS | ACTUAL PLAY PROJECTS

*This list is an example of awards we are considering for 2023 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 Actual Play or Fiction Podcast

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/film-freeway-podcasts for more detailed instructions. Contact Ned at podcasts@newjerseywebfest.com if you have any questions.

3. If you get selected, we may ask for a truncated version of your project for screening purposes, depending on the length of your episodes.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Official Selections will be announced on or before August 1, 2023.

7. Award nominees will be announced on or before August 15, 2023.

8. Event date: September 21-24, 2023.
104 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Arnaud de Grandry

    Very good festival. It was an honor to be part of this experience !!
    Thank you for everything !

    November 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much!! The honor was mutual :)

  • Linda Palmer

    NJ Webfest experience was amazing! Led by the incredible creators who instantly made everyone feel welcome. The entire experience felt like a huge community of creators supporting one another in all aspects. I really enjoyed the films that were screened and had a chance to have some insightful conversations after the panel. We received a lot of support for our series, Civil Disobedience, and we look forward to another submission in the near future.

    October 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you! It was so great having your team with us at NJ WebFest. We also look forward to seeing more of your work in the future!

  • Zachary Norton

    Really enjoyed speaking with the folks behind the NJWF and submitting our project for consideration. Any time there was a question about our submission -- whether about categorization or submission procedures -- Ned and co. were there to help. We can't wait to submit again for 2023!

    October 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you! We strive for great communication, so we really appreciate this review. Looking forward to seeing more of your work!

  • Jeff Stormer

    Being a creator in the fiction podcast space is often a lonely affair. But then there spaces like NJ Web Fest. The vibe is welcoming, and positive, and validating of the work we put in. Watching one another's work, getting to know fellow creators, celebrating the amazing art we all create together--it is a deeply motivating thing, and this space beautifully embodies that. I wasn't sure what to expect the first time I went; now i can't imagine missing it. Looking forward to coming back next year!

    October 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Jeff… STORMER! 😊 Thanks, man. Really appreciate it. We are thrilled to have provided a creative space for so many amazing fiction podcasts like yours! Congrats on all your success!

  • Russell Conley

    I was fortunate to attend the New Jersey Web Fest for their first annual festival in 2018 for Adulthood which my daughter Samarah starred in. I had the pleasure of attending once again in 2019 when the music video Joyride which my daughter was in won Best Music Video. For my third time at the festival in 2022, my film Above The Horizon, which once again my daughter starred in, won Outstanding Short Film. Each time I’ve attended with my wife and daughter, the love and hospitality from the creators of the festival has been nothing short than incredible. This year was my first time attending the red carpet gala and yet again the NJ Web Fest team hit it out of the park. They make everyone feel extremely comfortable and welcomed, like family. I highly recommend all creators to submit their projects to this amazing festival and #feelthemagic

    October 2022
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    Response from festival:

    It’s been wonderful seeing Samarah grow up as part of the New Jersey WebFest Family! You all are wonderful people and incredible talents. Thank you so much for this review!