The Hang on to Your Shorts Film Festival is in its 9th year of bringing great short films and art to iconic Asbury Park, New Jersey. In 2022 we return to our traditional, in-person roots of beautiful Asbury Park, at the Jersey Shore.

New Jersey is the home of a lot of great film festivals. The Hang Onto Your Shorts Film Festival is unique because it is an intimate and inviting affair, without pretense. We celebrate your art, and we celebrate you! Hang Onto Your Shorts strives to create connections among filmmakers and actors, and these connections often result in collaborations that screen the very next year.

In celebration of the spirit of the Jersey Shore's musical history, this year we have added a "Music Video" category to the awards. We also aim to promote the arts with future creators and collaborators. Accordingly, we have special STUDENT film rates.

We look forward to sharing our creative universe with you, and we look forward to meeting you!

Awards & Prizes

We have over 28 awards for short films, all different categories and special guests.
**NEW CATEGORY ALERT: MUSIC VIDEOS**

Rules & Terms

Online submissions only via FilmFreeway.
Submissions that are in any language other than English should be subtitled or dubbed.

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73 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Hee Chul Kwon

    It is a difficult time for all of us. For me this year is so important and need someone to cheer me up every month. Otherwise I don't know if I can continue this new project. You gave me a hope and power to go on forward. (BEST LONG FILM WINNER AND BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM NOMINEES) Thanks.

    May 2021
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  • Rob DiNinni

    A very cool fest ala film! Communication was awesome from start to wrap! We're so honored to be an Award NOMINEE! "MarriageFit"

    May 2021
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  • Steven Ford

    Excellent experience, and I'll definitely submit when the film is finished.

    May 2021
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  • Jon Rehr

    They did a good job of running their festival virtually this year. I look forward to submitting in the future and attending one of their film festivals in person.

    May 2021
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  • Michael Broderick

    I really enjoyed taking part in the “Hang On to Your Shorts” Film Fest. COVID didn’t allow for it to be a live event and spoiled potential networking opportunities but I look forward to submitting to them again in the future and attending a live screening. Everyone was friendly and communicated well.

    May 2021
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