The 2024 New Bedford Film Festival wrapped its inaugural year in a triumphant bow. Audience reveled in a diverse film selection, sparking lively discussion and fostering connections between filmmakers and movie lovers.

Historic New Bedford transformed into a celebration of cinematic storytelling infusing within the city's vibrant art scene. NBFF's success paves the way for an even grander event in 2025.

Join us in the South Coast for another year of cinematic magic.

Submissions Open: September 1, 2025

Note: If you are a New Bedford resident who wants to submit under the NB Resident Film category, please send an e-mail with a photo of your license to newbedordfilmfest@gmail.com with your title in the subject line to qualify. We will provide you with a password to submit to this category.

---

The New Bedford Film Festival showcases authentic and powerful cinematic stories, while also cultivating emerging storytellers and promoting the city's growing creative economy.

Taking place in the vibrant South Coast region of Massachusetts, this annual festival is committed to showcasing a diverse range of human experiences through various formats including short and feature films, student shorts, music videos, episodic, documentary shorts, and PSA shorts.

With venues including the New Bedford Harbor Hotel, Steeple Playhouse, Gallery X, The New Bedford Whaling Museum and the New Bedford Art Museum, the festival offers simultaneous screenings and ample space for networking and panel discussions. Each evening, attendees are invited to network and celebrate the filmmakers, with different awards being presented.

The opening night and closing event will be held at the prestigious Steeple Playhouse, where technical award winners will be recognized during the festivities opening and the closing Academy-award style ceremony at Steeple Playhouse will award talent as well as top awards for each category.

Throughout the day, festival goers are encouraged to explore the downtown area and take advantage of special promotions offered by local small businesses when presenting their official NBFF badge.

NOTIFICATION DATE: FEBRUARY 13, 2025
NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCEMENT: MARCH 15, 2025

FEATURE FILM

Best Feature Film
Best Actress in a Feature Film
Best Actor in a Feature Film
Best Director
Best Screenwriter

SHORT FILM

Best Short Film
Best Actress in a Short Film
Best Actor in a Short Film
Best Director
Best Screenwriter

TV SERIES

Best TV Series
Best Actress in a TV Series
Best Actor in a TV Series
Best Director
Best Screenwriter

STUDENT SHORT

Best Student Short Film
Best Student Director

DOCUMENTARY

Best Documentary Short
Best Subject of a Documentary Short
Best Voiceover Performance in a Documentary or PSA

ANIMATED FILM

Best Animated Short Film

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

Best PSA

MUSIC VIDEO

Best Music Video
Best Song for a Music Video

Best Supporting Actress in a Feature, Short Film, Digital Series
Best Supporting Actor in a Feature, Short Film, Digital Series
Best Ensemble in a Feature, Short Film, Digital Series
Best Youth Performer in a Feature, Short Film, Digital Series

TECHNICAL AWARDS

Best Original Song in a Feature, Short Film, Digital Series

Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Wardrobe
Best Production Design
Best Original Score

*Please note some categories may be added/updated and may be shifted as to what is presented as we get closer to the award on April 13.

1. All film submissions should be available digitally. If you are unable/unwilling to use digital submission, please contact us.
2. Films which have been broadcast on Television, Cable or have had an international theatrical release are NOT eligible for any competition but may be screened, out of competition. Self-published online releases with less than 10,000 views are still eligible.
2a. Digital Series and Music videos are exempt from this rule.
3. Non-English language produced films must have English subtitles or be dubbed in English.
4. All entrants certify that they have been given full rights to use any and all music in their films.
5. Filmmakers or screenwriters accepted and are attending the festival are responsible for travel, lodging, and all other expenses.
6. New Bedford residents may submit a production for free, but should e-mail a license when they submit with the title of their project in the subject line. Failure to send a license within 72 hours of entry may result in disqualification.
7. All submitted entries should be completed after January 1, 2018.
8. NBFF has full rights to screen your entry at our festival, by submitting you are agreeing to these terms. We can also use screenshots, clips and photos from your film for up to two (2) years for festival marketing needs. Winning films for up to (5) five years.
8a. All stated information, eligibility and submission guidelines, terms and conditions of entry, and entry information is subject to change by New Bedford Film Festival team, without notice.
9. If we do not receive enough films for a certain category to give up to four (4) nominations, the category might just be awarded outright to the winner without nominees or the category withdraw from this year's festival.
10. If you were an official selection in our festival, you cannot submit your film again. However, if your film was not selected, you can submit again for consideration.
11. NBFF holds the right to decide which awards will be presented during the opening and close award ceremony as well as during our networking events. We will update you will the full schedule as we get closer to the festival dates.
12. By entering into our festival via FilmFreeway, you are automatically agreeing to have your film be part of NBFF, if accepted. If you want to withdraw from the festival after our official announcement, that is your choice, but our selection announcements will remain as is.

If there is any doubt as to whether your work qualifies or if you need an exception, please contact us before you submit! Once your entry/payment is processed it will not be refunded. Note: You may have to make your film/video available to us in order to answer your question on FilmFreeway.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Rory Duffy

    New Bedford Film Festival is the next big film festival on the East Coast. You heard it here first. First rate people, location and audience. New Bedford's team was professional, and welcoming. We love New Bedford and hope to be back there soon!

    April 2025
  • Emma Lowery

    This was such an amazing festival, especially one that’s only in its second year. I loved the venues, seeing all the films, the communication being on point and it was really well organized. I highly recommend submitting to this festival and I definitely will submit again in the future! I will forever be honored of “Waves” being nominated here.

    April 2025
  • I had a great experience with NBFF, the team that put this festival together clearly loves what they do and the selection of films they curated reflects that. It's hard to believe this was only their second year. I feel priviledged to have been able to screen my work with them.

    April 2025
  • For only it's second year, the New Bedford Film Festival did an outstanding job hosting a film festival in such a tight-knit community. Everyone loved networking together, and it was such a great time and event to talk to fellow filmmakers. Ethan was such an amazing host and the whole team works SO hard to get this event to tip top shape. I will always be back, and thank you so much for letting "This is What it Feels Like to be 15" win the best student short. Much love.

    April 2025
  • Nara Garber

    I must have said a dozen times while in New Bedford that I couldn't believe what Ethan and the festival staff had pulled off in only two years! The films ran the gamut in style and content but were of uniformly high quality, and the awards ceremonies every evening were a wonderful opportunity to celebrate other filmmakers and meet members of the New Bedford community. From the venues to the panels to the beautiful (and heavy!) glass awards themselves, this was a thoughtfully organized and presented event. If your film is accepted, be sure to attend!

    April 2025