The New Jersey Mystery & Crime Film Festival is dedicated to showcasing the best of independent films focusing on Crime, Thriller, Horror and ANY KIND of Mystery (drama, comedy) as well as crime fiction, true crime, psychological horror and more!
Both fiction & Non Fiction!

WINNER 2022 BEST SHORT; There’s Something Wrong With Paul
WINNER 2022 BEST STUDENT FILM; The Quiet

NJ Mystery & Crime Film Festival official selections will receive laurels
Best Film will also receive an actual award
(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)

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.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • We had a great screening for No Good Deed! It looked and sounded wonderful in the theater. We look forward to submitting in the future and hopefully being included in a block with a Q&A.

    October 2023
  • William Cassel

    Everybody was super kind and the venue was wonderfully cozy; felt like the perfect setting for the films being screened. Awesome environment. Awesome experience. Highly recommend.

    October 2023
  • Thanks for selecting "Enter the Room" into your festival! The communication was clear and concise and the Sparta Avenue Stage is a very nice venue. I had a good experience overall and will definitely consider submitting future projects to New Jersey Mystery & Crime Film Festival.

    October 2023
  • Joseph Sernio

    Highly recommended festival! They truly see the independent cinema scene just like the filmmakers see it. They believe and support our work… you don’t find this often. The staff, the judges, and the films themselves were all top notch! I congratulate the entire festival on another successful year! Congrats to all official selections, nominees, and award winners! I’m honored to have shown LOVED next to all of your amazing films!! Thank you again!

    October 2023
  • Chris Trembath

    The New Jersey Mystery & Crime Festival is a diamond in the rough. Not only was the venue intimate and relaxing, but the choice of films interesting and captivating. Technically proficient display of films without a hitch, and excellent sound. I do think there could have been a Master of Ceremonies to introduce the block and give some background on the films, or at least a printed program with information on the films. Other than that, I think the festival is definitely worth the entry fee. This film festival cares about the films they show and how they are presented. Excellent!

    October 2022