The Turnpike Film Festival was started in order to find emerging filmmaker voices for the new digital age, as well as to provide a showcase for established independent filmmakers.

Provided COVID compliance allows, Turnpike Film Festival is planned as a one-night event held in northern/central NJ, with after-party where attendees can celebrate and network with other filmmakers, talent and film fans. We anticipate hosting an online component to ensure that all Official Selections will have an audience for those who cannot make it to the live, in-person event.

All genres are welcome to submit to the Turnpike Film Festival, pricing is determined by the length category as per the Deadline schedule.

Turnpike Film Festival gives out both Jury and Audience Awards in all film-length categories, and Student categories.

Turnpike Film Festival accepts narrative (all genres), documentary, animation and experimental films.
Entry fees are non-refundable.
We do not accept free submission/entry waiver.
All films must be in English or have English subtitles.
There is no limit on number of submissions or production date (except for Student films)
All films must have an online screener.
Filmmakers retain the rights to their films.
Filmmakers are responsible for acquiring copyrights, licenses and releases for media used in their films.
Competition categories are open to the United States and International entries.
Films must submit preview screeners via FilmFreeway.com. Any other method must receive prior approval from the festival.
Film must be of high-quality.
Filmmakers must submit promotional stills for marketing purposes.
Open to all nationalities and ages.
Open to all filmmakers.
We accept films already submitted to and/or selected to other film festivals.
We don't discriminate against any films that have been published online via a video hosting website. Open to all films that have not had a theatrical distribution.
If officially selected, it is the responsibility of the submitter to send the festival their film for digital download. Most formats are acceptable.
The Festival has the right to screen any film or projects submitted.
In order to receive your trophy or certificate, the project's producer or director must be present, unless a physical festival is not held.
Judges' decisions are final.

Submission categories are as follows:
Feature Films (longer than 40 minutes)
Short Films (5:01 to 40 minutes)
Super-Short Films (less than 5 minutes)
Student Film (under 40 minutes, longer films must be entered under the Feature category) Films must have been filmed, wrapped, edited, and completed between the months of September 2019 and March 2022 by HIGH SCHOOL or COLLEGE or GRADUATE students.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Thank you for your consideration and selection of our thriller, 'We Know You're There' film in your line up. We had really hoped we could come. Hopefully in the future we will be able to attend.

    September 2022
  • The Turnpike Film Festival is a well organized festival with great value and communicaiton.

    August 2022
  • William r Corbett

    There is no evidence to show that this film festival even had an event in 2022. I would not waste my money here again.

    August 2022
  • Due to COVID the festival was held both online and a screening was held for local filmmakers which we felt was the best scenario given the circumstances. The intimate gathering of the in person screening was great for networking and the Q&A was handled really well. Thank you. We'll be submitting again.

    August 2021
  • Chris Cullen

    Great time will submit again.

    August 2021