Join us in the South Coast for another year of cinematic magic as audiences revel in diverse film selections and spark lively discussion as New Bedford Film Festival fosters the connections between filmmakers and movie lovers.
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.
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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 12, 2026
NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCEMENT: MARCH 12, 2025
FEATURE FILM
Best Feature Film
Best Documentary Feature Film
Best Screenwriter for a Narrative Feature Film
SHORT FILM
Best Short Film
Best Actress in a Short Film
Best Actor in a Short Film
Best Director for a Short Film
Best Screenwriter for a Short Film
TV SERIES
Best TV Series
Best Actress in a TV Series
Best Actor in a TV Series
Best Director for a TV Series
Best Screenwriter for a TV Series
STUDENT SHORT
Best Student Short Film
Best Student Director
Best Student Screenwriter
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
SOUTH COAST FILM
Best South Coast Film
Best South Coast Filmmaker of the Year
MUSIC VIDEO
Best Music Video
Best Song for a Music Video
Best Editing of 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 12.