The Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center proudly announces the 31st Annual New Jersey International Film Festival. The festival will be held between May 29- June 7, 2026 at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey and will showcase the best in independent film by featuring premiere screenings, special guest appearances by film directors, screenwriters, cast and crew and more. For more information go to www.njfilmfest.com or e-mail us at NJMAC@aol.com or njmac12@gmail.com!

New Jersey has only one media arts center programming year-round -- offering over 100 annual film screenings and events: The Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center. Founded in 1982, the Rutgers Film Co-op/NJMAC draws thousands of viewers from throughout New Jersey by providing an alternative media culture. The Rutgers Film Co-op/NJMAC is dedicated to the noncommercial exhibition of independent, classic, international, and experimental films and videos. Not only do our audiences have the opportunity to view many independently produced films, but also the added benefit of meeting with the filmmakers, actors, screenwriters and other members of production crew. Some of our guests have included: Todd Solondz, Bill Plympton, Gary Null, Veronica Burstein, Jem Cohen, Peter Sillen, Jason Rosette, Susan Muska, Greta Olafsdottir, Sarah Jacobson, Martin Scorsese, Thelma Schoonmaker-Powell, Paul Morrissey, D.A. Pennebaker, Chris Hegedus, Tim Kirkman, Joseph Dorman, Ted Sod, Heather McDonald, Mark Rappaport, Sara Driver, Jim McKay, Su Friedrich, Menachem Daum, Ken Smith, Aviva Kempner, David Riker, John Hulme, Charles Creasy, Tony Leahy, Jeff Cline, Diane Bonder, Sarah Karloff, Michel Negroponte, Vlas and Charley Parlapanides, Ethan Falk, David Rick Balcorta, Roger Weisberg, Daina Krumins, Jenny Stein, James LaVeck, D.R. Hernandez, Matthew Garrett, Thomas Franklin, Thierry Daher, Carolyn Travis, Yasuki Nakajima, Aileen Bordman, Patrick Donnelly, Sara Taksler, Naomi Greenfeld, Marylou Tibaldo-Bongiorno, Jerome Bongiorno, Sanjiban Sellew, Susan Ingraham, Martha Rosler, Mark Berger, Raphael Ortiz, Maureen Gosling, Marc Maurino, Matthew Brown, Moon Molson, Jave Galt-Miller, Micah Baskir, Paul La Blanc, Thurston Smith, Tim Eberle, Damian Kolody, Nancy O’Mallon, Kathy Foronjy, Joe Coburn, Michael Knowles, Luke Mathany, Sarah Wickliffe, Jonathan Budine, Melissa Thomson, Beth Miranda Botshon, Daniel Califf-Glick, Bonnie Blake, Linda Helm Krapf, Christina Eliopoulos, Melissa Whitely, Andrew Liput, Donny Moss, Raul Barcelona, Alex Feldman, Joesph Bierman, Eve Burris, Ken Castellano, Mark Kolu, Peter Koziell, Darren Garnick, Patty Sharaf, Bill Page, Jon Sell, Danny Medoza, Paul Andersen, Christopher Maloney, Thomas Florek, Paul Marcus, Ryan Smith, Matthew Lawrence, Beth Toni Kruvant, Nadirah Bell, Emma Kenney, Shinako Sudo, Richard Haines, Ken Kimmelman, Christopher Bedford, Neil and Lee Selden, Cassandra Evanisko, Corrina May, Judith Vogelsang, Ryan O’Laughlin, Hemant Tavathia, David Svedosh, Fritch Clark, Chris Pepino, Gorman Bechard, Justin Strawhand, Dave Davidson, Bob Bowdon, Jen Di Cresce, Jonathan Kalafer, Brett Plymale, Doug Compton, Ivan Nemergut, Zach Levy, Noelle Brower, Audrey Holland, Kevin Shaw, Daryl Wein, Zoe Lister-Jones, and many others.

Awards & Prizes

Best of Prizes in Animation, Documentary, Experimental, Short
Narrative, Feature and Student Filmmaker (College or younger)

Rules & Terms

PLEASE NOTE: We do not offer ENTRY FEE WAIVERS!

ALL PACKAGES AND INQUIRIES MUST BE ADDRESSED TO:
New Jersey International Film Festival
Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center
30 Bedford Road,
Somerset, New Jersey U.S.A.
web site: www.njfilmfest.com
NJMAC@aol.com e-mail

ENTRY CATEGORIES:
Animation, Documentary, Experimental, Short
Narrative, Feature, Short Documentary, and Student Short
Film (College or younger)

ENTRY REGULATIONS:
This competition is open to U.S. and International entries. Maximum film age is 24 months. No repeat entries. If a work is selected for public screening entrants are contractually obligated to provide an exhibition copy suitable for screening and cannot withdraw their film from the festival. Entry must be a New Jersey and must not be available to view in full on the internet! Please note we do not pay screening fees. Only finalists are notified in advance that their work has been selected to be part of the Festival.

ENTRY FORMATS:
Submit a DVD or Blu Ray or an On-Line Screener for pre-screening. If chosen for final judging a high quality region free DVD or Blu Ray disc or Hi Res Digital File (mp4 or mov) must be sent for Festival screening.

LIABILITY: Filmmaker shall indemnify and hold New Jersey Film Festival harmless from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim in connection with the Film involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and/or loss of or damage to the screening videos submitted. In particular, Filmmaker expressly warrants it has obtained all necessary copyright clearances for original works of authorship used in the Film.

REPRODUCTION AGREEMENT: Submission of an entry gives the festival permission to have accepted work exhibited, photographed, locally telecast in part, broadcast on the internet if we cannot hold the Festival in person, and reproduced either in part or whole, for exhibition purposes.

Funding for the NEW JERSEY FILM FESTIVALsm has been made possible in part by the Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center; The Rutgers University Program in Cinema Studies/School of Arts and Sciences; Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders through a grant provided by New Jersey State Council on the Arts / Department of State; Rutgers University School of Arts and Sciences Honors Program; and many others.

58 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • James Sclafani

    I was honored to have my film, Counterfeit Kids, selected as a winner at the New Jersey International Film Festival, and I cannot recommend this festival highly enough.
    A great deal of the festival's success is due to the work of Albert (Al) Nigrin, whose thoughtful curation creates a program that is both artistically exciting and genuinely welcoming. From the moment I arrived the atmosphere was warm, supportive, and focused on celebrating independent filmmaking.
    One aspect that makes this festival especially unique is its judging process. Films are evaluated by a diverse panel that includes seasoned film professionals as well as interns. This combination brings a wide range of perspectives and creates thoughtful, engaging discussions about the work being presented. As a filmmaker, receiving feedback from both experienced industry voices and emerging audiences is really valuable.
    The theater itself is quite nice providing an intimate and comfortable setting that allows audiences to fully engage with the films. I was also impressed by the quality of the selections. I absolutely loved Middle Life by director Pavan Moondi..

    Overall, the New Jersey International Film Festival offers an exceptional experience for filmmakers and film lovers alike. It is professionally run, artistically adventurous and fosters a true sense of community. I am grateful to have participated and would highly recommend the festival to anyone considering submitting their work or attending as an audience member.

    June 2026
    Helpful
  • Adam Ansorge

    Such a great show to be a part of. These people worked their tails off to select us and show us to others. I'm so honored that I get to be a part of the history. Albert Nigrin, Festival Director, was a delight to speak with and he and his team made me feel welcome. It was really great when we recognized each other IRL at the show even though all we knew of each other were pictures and the silly film that I submitted. It was a wonderful experience! Would recommend!

    June 2026
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  • Nate Dorr

    A lot of care goes into this festival and it shows. Solid programming with a nice mix of more traditional and more experimental work, presented in a great theater with the Rutgers Film Coop, and always with some incisive audience questions for the Q&As. Every edition I've been in has lead me to new filmmaker-friends and connections, and even if you can't bike out form Brooklyn like I do, there are often group Q&A zoom tapings to bring in out-of-town contributors.

    June 2026
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  • Maureen Zent

    For a festival that I was unable to attend, NJIFF did an amazing job of making me feel included in the event. They accomplished this in a bunch of ways--providing links so that I could see other films in my shorts block, a low-key and fun Zoom conversation with other filmmakers in my program, press coverage of my film, engagement stats for each day. It's a fabulous program that Al Nigrin has built. I'm grateful and would love to attend in person some day.

    June 2025
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  • zorm collectief

    Such an honor and a pleasure to be selected for this festival. A big shout out to Albert Nigrin and the rest of the team!

    June 2025
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