STUDENT FILM FESTIVAL
The Trenton Student Film Festival solicits submissions of short films (under 20 minutes) in any genre from student filmmakers up to the age of 25 who were enrolled in school at the time the film was made (2025/26). The festival offers young filmmakers the opportunity to interact with audiences and connect with other filmmakers at the beginning of their careers. Located halfway between New York City and Philadelphia, Trenton is a small city with easy access to one of the largest film markets in the world, yet intimate enough to give a new film exposure that might be hard to achieve in a larger place or festival.

The organizers encourage filmmakers to attend the festival and participate in post-screening Q&A’s that offer them a chance to share their love of film with each other and our audience members, and the prize-giving reception.

Awards & Prizes

Prizes will be awarded at the Closing Night Ceremony for:

Best Short Fiction
Best Short Documentary
Best Animated Short
Best Experimental/Spoken Word
Audience Award

Prizes do not include a monetary award.

Rules & Terms

To be considered, films must have been completed after January 1, 2025. Opening date late April 2026. Deadline for submissions via FilmFreeway is June 5, 2026. Festival takes place at the Mill Hill Playhouse in Trenton Saturday, September XX, 2026.

Films must be submitted online prior to submission deadlines at https://filmfreeway.com/TrentonFilmFestival. By submitting a film you agree that if your film is selected, the Trenton Film Society (TFS) may screen your film at the Trenton Documentary Film Festival (May 2, 2025) without payment of screening fees and may include your film in festival publicity and publications. Should your film need to be withdrawn for any reason, please do so no less than 30 days before festival date.

TFS charges admission to screenings to provide a portion of funding required to produce events such as the Trenton Documentary Film Festival; by submitting a film you agree that TFS may charge admission to screenings that include your film and represent that this does not violate any agreements that you have with third parties.

Films must be submitted via online screener.

If your film is selected, high-definition digital .mov or .mp4 file is the requested format for presentation copy. We do not have equipment to present your film in 35MM or DCP.

For digital files, .mp4 or .mov files must be compressed with the H.264 or H.265 codec at 24, 25 or 30 frames per second, 1080p or 4k for high definition, and 2-channel (stereo) audio.

Do not submit originals; we will do our utmost to care for your media, but cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage.

Presentation copies must be sent with shipping charges prepaid. Presentation copies will be returned if prepaid shipping envelope is provided for USPS, FedEx, UPS or DHL.

Please note: As a small organization that relies on volunteers, we cannot provide airfare or cover transportation to or from the festival. We are sorry for the inconvenience.

22 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Dan Tarrant

    Amazing people! A beautiful experience for our producer and editor to attend and be part of a Q&A. A powerful experience. We will come back again with another film! Blessed.

    May 2026
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  • Larry Schwartz

    Honored to have my film Oh, Johnny! screened at the Trenton Regional Documentary Festival. It was great networking with other filmmakers and viewing their wonderful work.

    July 2024
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  • Tamara Jackson

    The Trenton Regional Documentary Film Festival was amazing. I am grateful to have had my film The Invitation screened. I am so grateful to have received the award for Best Trenton Based Film and an Honorable Mention for Audience Favorite. It is always great to have your work recognized however to be honored in my hometown made it all sweeter. The staff, volunteers, committee, and other filmmakers were welcoming and affirming. It truly was a good time despite the rain.

    May 2024
    Helpful
  • Alain Martin

    This festival is the work of honest, hard working folks who share a passion for the arts. The programmers themselves are very communicative, generous with their time. The event itself was intimate and co-mingling with fellow filmmakers was just an awesome experience. Thank you!!

    May 2024
    Helpful
  • Justin Meckes

    I was thrilled to show my film, "The Anxieties of a Reluctant Japanophile," at the Trenton Film Festival. Communication was excellent and although I was unable to attend, I looked up the venue and it seems like the perfect place to watch a film.

    June 2023
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Justin. We all enjoyed your film and were sorry we didn't get to meet you.