Now entering our fourth year, the New Jersey Mystery, Crime & Horror Film Festival continues to thrive as a premier live event in Northern New Jersey.

This unique festival is dedicated to showcasing the best in independent cinema, with a sharp focus on Crime, Thriller, Mystery, and all forms of HORROR! Our programming spans a wide range of genres and subgenres, including crime fiction, true crime, psychological horror, slashers, supernatural tales, gore, vampires, werewolves, zombies, ghosts, haunted houses, witches, mob/organized crime, heists, espionage, and beyond. Both fiction and nonfiction works are welcome and celebrated.

We’re especially proud to spotlight New Jersey-based talent with a dedicated programming block for homegrown filmmakers. Our commitment to local voices means we actively seek out and include as many NJ films and filmmakers as possible during the festival.

Awards & Prizes

The NJ Mystery, Crime & Horror Film Festival official selections will receive laurels
We offer 2 Physical Awards/Trophies
BEST FILM
BEST HORROR FILM
(Some festivals, when you win- ask YOU to pay for the award that you've won, and it's never cheap! We GIVE you an award- you don't pay for it)
We will also award an Award Winner Laurel for
Best Student Film
Best Actor/Actress
Best Ensemble
Best International

Rules & Terms

RULES
All genres/forms accepted. Seeking all types of Mystery/Horror/Thriller/Crime genre films
Both Short and Feature length films will be considered.
Both Fiction and Non-Fiction Welcome
All foreign-language works MUST be subtitled in English to be considered.

SUBMISSION ELIGIBILITY
- All submissions must have been completed after January 1, 2018.
- Short films are up to 45 minutes. Feature length films are 46 minutes or longer.
- We place no restrictions on your work in terms of premiere status
- Applicants may submit as many entries as they wish, as long as each entry has a separate entry form and fee.
- Features must not be available online as a DVD or digital download/link for purchase. They also must not have been broadcast on television in the United States or screened theatrically in the United States prior to October 1st 2021.
- All films must be submitted in English or with English subtitles.
- By submitting to us, you give us the right to screen your film in front of a live audience. You are also giving us permission to promote clips and stills from your film on social media, based on the press kits you provide us with.
- Official Selection: Films selected for screening will be notified via email.
- We cannot provide refunds.
- We reserve the right to update our terms and conditions at any time.
FILMS MUST BE SUBMITTED VIA ONLINE SCREENER ONLY THROUGH THE FOLLOWING PORTALS:
- FilmFreeway and its video player;
- Vimeo with its current password protected private link;
- YouTube as an unlisted link.
Passwords must not be changed until submissions have closed and notification of program films is announced.
20 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • rohit sadarangani

    They did a great job showing local filmmakers work.

    December 2025
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  • asha rosemond

    This festival is really fun and a great way to showcase your films! It is a great opportunity to meet other filmmakers in the area. The host is very accommodating and everything is well organized.

    November 2025
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  • JoeBert Entertainment

    This was our second time screening and we have nothing but positive things to say. The intimate setting encouraged networking. There was a large crowd both years and they were an enthusiastic audience. We highly recommend submitting to this festival, especially for NJ filmmakers.

    November 2025
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  • Darren Burch

    Excellent festival. Thank you for honoring our film

    November 2025
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  • Martin Slayne

    A fabulous and motivating small theater festival, with a packed house, very warm community feel, and some helpful connections made. Nicely run by Josh. Thanks for selecting my comedy horror short 'Rental Return', and what a flattering audience response!

    November 2025
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