The Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center proudly announces the 43rd Bi-Annual New Jersey Film Festival Fall 2024. The festival will be held between September 6-October 6, 2023 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, Frank Prinizi, Jonathan Bogarin, Marko Vuorinen, Rene Blacer, Christopher Wells, Dimitri de Clercq, Bestor Cram, Joe Amodei, Jeannie Bryson, Barbara Vekaric', Matej Silky, Daryl Wein, Zoe Lister-Jones, and many others.

Best of Prizes in Animation, Documentary, Experimental, Short
Narrative, Feature, and Student 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, and reproduced either in part or whole, for exhibition purposes.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • I loved being part of this festival for a second time, and I was honored to win best animation for my film "Out of Frame." It was great to attend in person for a Q&A with the audience and I felt warmly welcomed! The communication with selected filmmakers is excellent, and best of all, there is a personal feeling of genuine support for uplifting and celebrating independent filmmakers. I hope that this special festival and the authentic spirit of care, effort, and enthusiasm invested into it continue long into the future.

    October 2023
  • Gabriel Rodriguez-Fuller

    They've put together a wonderful festival.

    October 2023
  • Charles A. Honeywood

    I had the absolute pleasure of being apart of the New Jersey International Film Festival, and I can’t express how phenomenal it was. From start to finish, I was immersed in a world of captivating films, talented filmmakers, and a vibrant atmosphere that celebrated the art of cinema.

    The selection of films was outstanding, showcasing a diverse range of genres and styles. It was evident that the festival organizers had a keen eye for curating a program that appealed to a wide audience, from thought-provoking documentaries to breathtakingly creative narratives.

    What truly set this festival apart was the passion and dedication of everyone involved, from the organizers to the filmmakers themselves, making the experience even more enriching.

    The venue was comfortable and well-organized, ensuring a seamless viewing experience. The staff and volunteers were friendly, approachable, and always ready to assist, which added to the overall welcoming atmosphere.

    I can’t recommend the New Jersey International Film Festival enough to both film enthusiasts and casual viewers. It’s a celebration of storytelling, artistry, and the power of film to inspire and connect people. I’ll be eagerly anticipating the next edition and can’t wait to see what cinematic treasures it will unveil.

    Thank you to everyone involved for making this festival a truly exceptional experience!

    October 2023
  • Dean Kavanagh

    Hole in the Head won Best Feature at NJFF. This is a fantastic festival run by Al Nigrin and a dedicated team who supported our film screenings through local press and social media, as well as printing their own promo ephemera such as postcards, and distributing our own promo materials before and at the event itself. Communication was top notch. Zoom Q&A was a pleasure, and Al and his team had researched the film, including other interviews, which made for a fun and enlivening conversation. A wonderful festival that made me feel part of the events even though I was on another continent. As a film artist himself, Al knows only too well what it takes to make a festival inclusive and fun. The team has great attention to detail and truly care about the films and screenings. What more can you ask for? I highly recommend a submission!

    October 2023
  • John Evans

    This festival was a great experience. Al was fantastic in his communication through out the process. He was really on top of all the publicity that was done surrounding the festival and made participating in interviews a breeze. I was honored to be selected for the festival and to win best experimental film. I liked the format that films were shown live but with purchase of a ticket it was also available for 24 hour digitally. So if someone could not make the live showing they could still see all the work from a specific evenings screening. Thanks to all who supported the festival this year and I hope tone involved again in the future.

    October 2023