The Newark (pronounced NEW-ARK not to be confused with the city in Northern Jersey) Independent Film Festival will be held at the brand new beautiful and modern Chapel Street Players located in the heart of Newark, Delaware, near Main Street and the University of Delaware campus. For our 3rd year, we’ll be accepting short film submissions from around the world in six screening blocks over the course of three days - August 13th, 14th and 15th.

The City of Newark is a unique walkable and bike-friendly community in the northernmost County of Delaware. Within walking distance or a quick Lyft/Uber ride, there are numerous restaurants, bars, coffee shops and hotels. The area is surrounded by the stunning University of Delaware campus. Newark is accessible to interstate 95, Amtrak and is a 40 minute ride to Philadelphia International Airport. Newark sits approximately 2 hours drive south of Manhattan and 90 minutes north of Washington DC. This lively community serves a perfect escape for creatives to relax and share their work. Delaware is the home of tax-free shopping, so we suggest planning to splurge while here.

Festival Director, Kazy Tauginas is a local resident and also an actor and filmmaker. Kazy has been active in the entertainment world since 2009 and has been seen in Hollywood productions like "Equalizer 2" and "Dolemite is My Name". His recent critically acclaimed independent feature film "Mirror Life" is currently streaming on Amazon. After navigating numerous successful film festivals with his award winning short, “Standing Eight” and seeing the positive impact on the communities where the festivals were held, he decided that Newark was long overdue for it’s own film festival. With Chapel Street Players being a brand new facility with a 210 seat capacity, state-of-the-art sound system and concession stand - it was a perfect fit!

Submissions will be open from January 1st through June 1st.

Awards & Prizes

Award Categories will include:

Best Film - Festival Trophy
Best Drama - Festival Trophy
Best Comedy - Festival Trophy
Best Horror - Festival Trophy
Best SciFi - Festival Trophy
Best Documentary - Festival Trophy
Best Student Project - Festival Trophy
Best Animation - Festival Trophy
Best Action - Festival Trophy
Best Foreign - Festival Trophy
Best Arthouse - Festival Trophy
Best Delaware Local Project - Festival Trophy
Best Cinematography - Festival Trophy
Best Editing - Festival Trophy
Best Sound Design - Festival Trophy
Best Original Score - Festival Trophy
Best Screenplay - Festival Trophy
Best Set Design - Festival Trophy
Best Original Song - Festival Trophy
Best Actor - Festival Trophy
Best Actress - Festival Trophy
Best Supporting Actor - Festival Trophy
Best Supporting Actress - Festival Trophy
Best Director - Festival Trophy
Committee's Choice Award - Festival Trophy
Spirit Award - Festival Trophy

Rules & Terms

Festival Rules

 Short films must be under thirty (30) minutes in length.

 Filmmakers will be required to make their screeners meet our specific picture and sound quality settings to play in the theatre. More details to follow.

 Short films must be fully completed prior submission. No projects that are still in post-production will be accepted into the festival.

 Foreign language short films must be subtitled properly in English.

 Student projects must be produced in association with a school/college and provide proof of registration.

 "Local Projects" must have been produced/directed by a Delaware Local or produced/directed in Delaware.

Terms and Conditions

 By submitting your film, you certify that you are the sole owner and producer of the work, that you are authorized to submit this work, and that all clearances and licenses necessary for public display of the work have been granted. Filmmaker represents and warrants that its film(s) submitted to the Newark Independent Film Festival “NIFF” does not infringe in any way, directly or contributorily, upon any third party's intellectual property rights, including, but not limited to, music, still images, moving images, copyright, trademark, and right of publicity.

 Filmmaker, at his/her own expense, shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless NIFF from and against all lawsuits and causes of actions, claims, losses, demands, and expenses, including, but not limited to, attorney's fees (both in house and outside counsel) and cost of litigation, damages or liability of any nature arising out of infringement, actual or alleged, direct or contributory, of any intellectual property rights, including, without limitation, copyright, trademark, and right of publicity. The rights and remedies of NIFF provided in this section shall not be exclusive and are in addition to any other rights and remedies provided by law or under these Terms and Conditions.

 The filmmaker grants NIFF a royalty-free, non-exclusive, right to show, display, and market all film entries, in their entirety, in part (film clips) and still shots, to live audiences, online (recorded and live stream), and in written materials for the current festival season and future promotional use. Exceptions and requests to opt out will be granted only by written request and must be made prior to acceptance into the NIFF.

 By entering the NIFF, filmmakers indemnify and hold harmless NIFF from and against any and all losses, damages, rights, claims, and actions of any kind arising in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, at any time in connection with the submitted work. NIFF cannot be held liable for any damage or loss during shipping, previewing, or screening. Filmmakers are responsible for their own insurance. The rights and remedies of NIFF provided in this section shall not be exclusive and are in addition to any other rights and remedies provided by law or under these Terms and Conditions.

 These Terms and Conditions shall be governed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware. All disputes under this agreement shall be resolved by the courts of the State of Delaware, and the parties all consent to the jurisdiction of such courts, agree to accept service of process by mail and hereby waive any jurisdictional or venue defenses otherwise available to it.
51 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Dane Williams

    A newer festival so well-run that it feels long-established, with a true focus on the indies. The most unique aspect was the way Kazy and team programmed the blocks. My sci-fi short screened alongside an absurdist comedy, a social-issue drama and more, but somehow it all felt thematically connected and cohesive. You get some thought-provoking combinations and exposure to films that you may not necessarily seek out otherwise.

    I'm awkward at networking, but this crowd felt like just the right size and vibe for some actual authentic connections. I'd recommend taking advantage of the director interviews they offer (I should've!) to help promote your film.

    October 2025
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  • Alexander Newman

    Attending and screening my documentary at the Newark Independent Film Festival was an incredible experience. The festival organizers and committee were so welcoming, organized, and communicative. They made sure that filmmakers were allowed to speak about their projects via interviews hosted on their video podcast and that we had plenty of opportunities to network and meet other filmmakers. The festival is in its early days, but it's clear that Kazy and the organizers and committee are passionate about independent filmmaking and building a community of creatives. I had a chance to meet new collaborators, and that alone was worth it. I'd highly recommend attending and submitting work to the Newark Independent Film Festival.

    August 2025
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  • Loïc Dewaele

    Amazing festival with great and personal communication!

    August 2025
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  • Alysha Pamphile

    From the very first step of submission to the final moment of seeing my film status updated as a winner, the Newark Independent Film Festival team was thorough and intentional. I felt taken care of. The team made sure I never felt lost or overlooked. Their email communication was always timely, clear, and responsive. I always had an answer when I needed one

    When I arrived in person, the experience only got better. The event was so well-organized, and I felt the love from the moment I walked in. The festival creator even knew my name (and the name of my film) the second I walked in the door! That meant more than he'll ever know. The schedule for the weekend was communicated with clarity, and the added benefit of a hotel group block made the experience even more convenient.

    It was also clear that the team at NIFF carefully curated their film selections. The lineup showcased such a wide variety of filmmakers and voices, which made every screening block feel intentional and inspiring.

    What stood out most to me was the emphasis on community and exposure. NIFF truly values networking and creating space for filmmakers to connect. I left the festival not only as an award winner, but also with new peers, collaborators, and friends that I plan to keep with me through my filmmaking journey.

    Thank you, NIFF, for such a memorable experience and for truly seeing my creative visions. I can’t wait to see this festival continue to grow and impact even more filmmakers!

    August 2025
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  • Robert X. Golphin

    Attending the Newark Independent Film Festival was an extraordinary experience — a true safe space for artists and lovers of independent cinema. From start to finish, the festival made every filmmaker and actor feel seen, valued, and recognized. Despite awards and nominations being part of the celebration, at no point did it ever feel competitive; instead, filmmakers continuously lifted one another up with praise, encouragement, and mutual respect.

    What’s particularly impressive is that this festival is only in its second year, yet it is run with a level of professionalism, vision, and execution that rivals veteran festivals. Screenings were consistently well attended, and there was remarkable diversity in both the films showcased and the audiences embracing them.

    The venue was equally exceptional. Every film, including my own, "Chest Candy", looked and sounded stunning, thanks to crystal-clear image quality and a booming sound system. My team and I were honored to receive the 'Best Original Score' award and earn two additional nominations — a recognition we cherish.

    Networking, which can feel daunting for some, especially introverted artists, was effortless here. A special event designed to connect filmmakers instantly broke the ice — no awkward small talk, just genuine conversation. It felt like being welcomed into a family. The festival struck the perfect balance of being chic yet approachable, inclusive, and effortlessly welcoming.

    Screenings were run with precision and professionalism, and the positive energy radiated from the top, starting with festival director Kazy Tauginas. Every aspect of the festival, from curation to execution, reflected thoughtfulness, care, and respect for the art form.

    My team was truly honored to be part of the festival’s sophomore year. With year two already pitch-perfect, I can only imagine the heights future editions will reach. For filmmakers, actors, and audiences alike, this festival is worth every entry fee and then some — a rare space where you can feel like you’ve stepped straight into Hollywood, but without ever feeling alienated.

    August 2025
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