The New Bedford Film Festival celebrates authentic cinematic stories, cultivates bold storytellers, and champions the city’s growing creative economy. NBFF takes place in the vibrant city of New Bedford on the South Coast region of Massachusetts.

New Bedford Film Festival is committed to, our vision is spotlighting the diverse human experience through cinematic storytelling such as short & feature films, episodic, music videos, documentary and PSA shorts through a yearly film festival.

The New Bedford Film Festival will utilize spaces at New Bedford Ground Work, second floor in the New Bedford Creative offices, New Bedford Harbor Hotel and the Co-Creative.
The screening areas will allow for blocks of films to screen simultaneously as well as have a room for panels and a room for networking during and in between screenings.
In the evening, we invite everyone to the Ground Floor Coffee for our "Story in a Frame" networking event where we ask filmmakers to submit a screenshot that best represents their project to be framed and discussed during the festival's run.
Throughout the day, explore our downtown small business scene in which filmmakers will be offered discounts and promotions when presenting their official NBFF badge.
The opening will be held at the prestigious state-of-the-art New Bedford Whaling Museum theater, and the closing night Academy Award-style award ceremony, featuring a red carpet arrival, will take place at Steeple Playhouse.

NOTE TO NEW BEDFORD FILMMAKERS: If you are a current New Bedford resident, submit your projects via the "New Bedford Project" category. Then, e-mail a license when you submit with the title of your project in the subject line. Failure to send a license within 72 hours of entry may result in disqualification.

We will host a LIVE award show at the Steeple Playhouse on Sunday, April 21 where we will share nominated clips and give out trophies for the following categories:

FEATURE FILM

Best Feature Film
Best Actress in a Feature Film
Best Actor in a Feature Film
Best Director
Best Screenwriter

SHORT FILM

Best Short Film
Best Actress in a Short Film
Best Actor in a Short Film
Best Director
Best Screenwriter

TV SERIES

Best TV Series
Best Actress in a TV Series
Best Actor in a TV Series
Best Director
Best Screenwriter

STUDENT SHORT

Best Student Short Film
Best Student Director

DOCUMENTARY

Best Documentary Short
Best Subject of a Documentary
Best Voiceover Performance in a Documentary or PSA

ANIMATED FILM

Best Animated Short Film

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

Best PSA

MUSIC VIDEO

Best Music Video
Best Song for a Music Video

TECHNICAL AWARDS

Best Supporting Actress in a Feature, Short Film, Digital Series
Best Supporting Actor in a Feature, Short Film, Digital Series
Best Ensemble in a Feature, Short Film, Digital Series
Best Youth Performer in a Feature, Short Film, Digital Series

Best Original Song in a Feature, Short Film, Digital Series

Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Wardrobe
Best Production Design
Best Original Score

*Please note some categories may be added/updated and may be shifted as to what is presented during or before the LIVE award show.

Not all awards will be handed-out at the Sunday award ceremony such as technical awards that will be announced before the ceremony for winners to pick-up their prizes at Steeple Playhouse. This includes categories such as Best Screenwriting, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Wardrobe, Best Production Design, Best Original Score, Best Original Song, and Best Public Service Announcement.

1. All film submissions should be available digitally. If you are unable/unwilling to use digital submission, please contact us.
2. Films which have been broadcast on Television, Cable or have had an international theatrical release are NOT eligible for any competition but may be screened, out of competition. Self-published online releases with less than 10,000 views are still eligible.
2a. Digital Series and Music videos are exempt from this rule.
3. Non-English language produced films must have English subtitles or be dubbed in English.
4. All entrants certify that they have been given full rights to use any and all music in their films.
5. Filmmakers or screenwriters accepted and are attending the festival are responsible for travel, lodging, and all other expenses.
6. New Bedford residents may submit a production for free, but should e-mail a license when they submit with the title of their project in the subject line. Failure to send a license within 72 hours of entry may result in disqualification.
7. All submitted entries should be completed after January 1, 2018.
8. NBFF has full rights to screen your entry at our festival, by submitting you are agreeing to these terms. We can also use screenshots, clips and photos from your film for up to two (2) years for festival marketing needs. Winning films for up to (5) five years.
8a. All stated information, eligibility and submission guidelines, terms and conditions of entry, and entry information is subject to change by New Bedford Film Festival team, without notice.
9. If we do not receive enough films for a certain category to give up to four (4) nominations, the category might just be awarded outright to the winner without nominees or the category withdraw from this year's festival.
10. NBFF holds the right to decide which awards will be presented during the LIVE award ceremony and handed-out during our pre-award event.
11. By entering into our festival via FilmFreeway, you are automatically agreeing to have your film be part of NBFF, if accepted. If you want to withdraw from the festival after our official announcement, that is your choice, but our selection announcements will remain as is.

If there is any doubt as to whether your work qualifies or if you need an exception, please contact us before you submit! Once your entry/payment is processed it will not be refunded. Note: You may have to make your film/video available to us in order to answer your question on Filmfreeway.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Terrific festival that was superbly well organized, especially for a first year. Very filmmaker friendly with great hospitality and networking opportunities, highly engaged audiences, thoughtful Q&As, and a fantastic awards ceremony. Highly recommended!

    May 2024
  • Ben Phillippo

    A great fest to be a part of! Highly recommend.

    May 2024
  • Chris Barlow

    New Bedford put on a great festival first year out! Insightful panels, warm and inviting staff and top quality awards ceremony. Networking sessions could benefit from some music and better snacks but well done otherwise. Honored to have been nominated in our category and congrats to the winner!

    May 2024
  • The New Bedford Film Festivals was very welcoming. I had a great time watching fellow selections and participating in the festivals variety of events.

    April 2024
  • Meg Jenkins Locke

    I love these people, this festival, and am so happy I submitted for the New Bedford Film Festival's Inaugural year. Winning
    Best Short for Sister will always be foremost in my festival season memories. Winning Best Actor for Billy Magnussen is icing on the cake. Leading all nominations for Sister is a dream come true. I love my cast and crew!!! Thank you!!!
    The professionalism with which these creators at NBFF presented their community and their support for the arts is unsurpassed. I look forward to submitting in the future and hope to attend. I know I missed an incredible festival and recommend NBFF to all.
    Every Day Is A Day!!!

    April 2024