Welcome to the First Vampires of New Jersey Horror Film Festival! It will be May 23, 2026 at the Smodcastle Theater - 82 First Ave, Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716. 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Yes that's the Great Director Kevin Smiths Theater although he will not be at the event. It is for short and full length Horror films. Vampires of NJ has been around for years as a comic, graphic novel, Convention, and now Film Festival. It is our hope to find new talented filmmakers that can push the genre forward and bring something both brilliant while also original to the world of cinema. Let's do this!

Awards & Prizes

Best Short - The Visit

Best Film- This Sucks

Best Director - Continued Existence

Best Actor - Thin Black Line

Best Actress - Beyond Mamushi

Greatest Gore- Swine & Dine

Best Use of Comedy in Horror - Penelope

Best B Movie - Face Crusher

Mystery award - Sous Vide

Best film with that something extra that makes it cool! - Sous Vide

Rules & Terms


- Entries must have been filmed after 01/01/2021.
- Shorts must be 7 minutes or less (including credits).
-Full Length can be as long as 60 minutes
- The top 5 Full Length entries and the Top 5 Short Film entries will be shown at the Vampires of NJ Horror Film Festival on 05/23/2026.
- If the top entries have a total runtime of less than 60 minutes combined, more entries may be shown at the festival.
- After preliminary judging, the selected entrants will be contacted and will each receive 2 general admission tickets for the Vampires of NJ Horror Film Festival to attend the film fest.
- Selection for screening does not guarantee that an award will be given.
- Submission does not guarantee that your film will be shown.
2 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Warren Dean Fulton

    SO wish I were able to attend Vampires of New Jersey Horror Film Festival. It was an honour to have GARAGE SALE MASSACRE selected and screened at Smodcastle Cinema. I will certainly submit again in the coming years, and once the politica; landscape in the United States changes for the better, this Canadian will attend. Great job,. Thank you.

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for making a great film!

  • Christopher Willis

    Such an Awesome experience! Big Thank you to everyone involved.

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you! We will work hard to make the next one even better!