The Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center proudly announces the 29th Annual New Jersey International Film Festival. The festival will be held between May 31- June 9, 2024 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

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 or Area Premiere 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.

39 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Margaret Beals

    We had a wonderful experience at the New Jersey International Film Festival. There was great care given to the reasons behind the filmmaking and the techniques used to create the film. We found that NJIFF made our needs as filmmakers the focal point through their thorough and detailed responsiveness to the filmmakers - it is refreshing for a festival to also consider what the filmmaker needs to benefit from screening their production at a festival. The level of marketing and outreach on their part (NJIFF) was exceptional; the best and most involved we’ve ever seen. Thank you, Al Nigrin, and the whole NJIFF Team for everything!
    Adriana Davis, Margaret Beals - Co-Directors
    Kathleen Drinane Davis - Associate Producer

    July 2023
    Helpful
  • Theodore Drusba

    In a noisy world fighting over attention, Professor Albert shines as a passionate force. He works tirelessly to create a front row film festival, bringing together captivating stories and people from all over. We owe a big thanks to Professor Al for his hard work and love for great cinema

    June 2023
    Helpful
  • Shon Tilling

    This really was a wonderful festival! Albert was such a kind and considerate host, going out of his was to get exposure for the selected films. The screenings were fun and the opportunity to network was amazing! This was a really special festival, and I am so happy to be a part of it!

    June 2023
    Helpful
  • Derek Johnson

    Very friendly and appreciative audience. The director really takes considerable time to select and program films with the review team. A great place to show your movie in a nice theater.

    June 2023
    Helpful
  • Michel Negroponte

    Al Nigrin is the driving force behind this film festival for film lovers. He and his staff are committed and enthusiastic, and they put on a festival that is high quality and memorable.

    June 2023
    Helpful