The Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center proudly announces the 42nd Bi-Annual New Jersey Film Festival. The festival will be held between January 26 - February 18, 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 NJMAC@aol.com or newjerseyfilmfestival@gmail.com

Steve Snyder wrote a few years ago in the Newark Star-Ledger that the NJ Film Festival "wants to use movies as a way of building bridges between cultures." Alvin Klein wrote in the NY Times: "The New Jersey Film Festival...represents the first sustained effort at year round art-film programming in the state...and thanks to the the New Jersey Film Festival New Brunswick has become the Mecca for filmgoers in New Jersey, a true cinematheque."

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 via our Bi-Annual New Jersey Film Festival and New Jersey International Film Festival. 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. Over the past 42 years we have provided New Jersey residents with many inspiring and provocative programs and activities. Some of these include: over 1400 area and premiere screenings of Independent and International Feature and Documentary Films; over 650 Visiting Directors and Media Artists including established directors/producers like: Martin Scorsese, Thelma Schoonmaker-Powell, Paul Morrissey, D.A. Pennebaker, Chris Hegedus, Mira Nair, Todd Solondz, Bill Plympton, Jem Cohen, Mark Rappaport, Sara Driver, Jim McKay, Su Friedrich, Menachem Daum, Ken Smith, Aviva Kempner, David Riker, Sarah Karloff, Michel Negroponte, Gary Null, Tim Kirkman, Joseph Dorman, Ted Sod, Heather McDonald, Veronica Burstein, Peter Sillen, Jason Rosette, Susan Muska, Greta Olafsdottir, Sarah Jacobson, Vlas and Charley Parlapanides, Dustin Grella, David Rick Balcorta, Roger Weisberg, Daina Krumins, Jenny Stein, James LaVeck, Thomas Franklin, Thierry Daher, Carolyn Travis, Yasuki Nakajima, Marylou Tibaldo-Bongiorno, Jerome Bongiorno, Sanjiban Sellew, Susan Ingraham, Martha Rosler, Mark Berger, Raphael Ortiz, Maureen Gosling, 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, Donny Moss, Raul Barcelona, Alex Feldman, Joesph Bierman, Paul Andersen, Christopher Maloney, Thomas Florek, Paul Marcus, Ryan Smith, Matthew Lawrence, Beth Toni Kruvant, Nadirah Bell, Emma Kenney, Shinako Sudo, Cassandra Evanisko, Daryl Wein, Zoe Lister-Jones, Augusta Palmer, Jonathan Zelenak, Noemie Lafrance, Julie Tortorici, Jessica Provenz, Sarah Louise Lilley, Augusta Palmer, Jonathan Zelenak, Michael Gartland, Frank Prinizi, Jonathan Bogarin, Marko Vuorinen, Christopher Wells, Dimitri de Clercq, Bestor Cram, Matej Silky, Chris Brown, Jeanie Bryson, David Spaltro, Bobbito Garcia, Joe Amodei, Barbara Vekaric’, Bestor Cram, Frank Prinzi, and many others.

Awards & Prizes

Best of Festival Awards!!

Rules & Terms

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.
31 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Jennifer Cooney

    NJFF was an absolute delight from the moment I was informed that my feature, WILD FIRE, was an Official Selection. Prof. Nigrin, the Festival Director, operated with top notch communication, leaving no question unanswered. Deliveries were simple, reviews and news publications occurred in a timely fashion, and lots of advertising was done so that the largest audience was reached! We had a great crowd (in-person & online) the night of the screening, and the quality of the picture, sound, and screening room was outstanding...every filmmaker's dream. The Q&A was wonderful, and the entire staff was kind, helpful, and LOVED FILM—it was an absolute joy and pleasure to be a part of this festival. I will always submit to NJFF.

    February 2024
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  • Charly Wenzel

    This was one of the best film festivals I've ever attended. Their communication was on point, they had lots of press and exposure and their hospitality was wonderful. I met many fellow filmmakers and I really enjoyed the thoughtfully curated program. Albert is doing a stellar job all around! Definitely worth submitting to!

    February 2024
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  • Rebecca Davis

    We loved this festival! Al and the whole programming team were wonderful to work with and we were honored to be included.

    February 2024
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  • Amelie Loy

    Having my film "Irina" at the New Jersey Film Festival was a very special treat. The head of festival is extremely good at PR and really goes the extra mile to not only promote the festival as a whole but also the individual films & directors to the public. As a filmmaker I can only be grateful for such an extraordinary effort and also for the kind communication behind the scenes. This festival truly is something special.

    February 2024
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  • Augusta Palmer

    I just participated in the New Jersey Film Festival for the 4th time. This is a great film fest with enthusiastic audiences who ask great questions. Fest director Al Nigrin and his staff communicate clearly and often. They get strong local press and have, as others have remarked here, a truly independent spirit.

    February 2024
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