*Web Series World Cup and Audio Fiction World Cup Participant!*

Just ten days after our first festival took place, we became one of FilmFreeway's Best-Reviewed Festivals -- and now as we enter our sixth year, we continue to get bigger and better thanks to the amazing talent that has been part of our events! Thank you to all the creators who took time to leave thoughtful reviews! We are #AllAboutTheCreators, and they clearly felt it! Just read the reviews and see for yourself.

Submissions from all over the world, and from every genre, are welcome. Quality is the only criteria: we want to showcase the very best.

We accept webseries, short films, pilots, trailers, music videos, narrative fiction podcasts, actual play fiction podcasts, actual play livestreams, and short scripts, so that all digital creators can experience the #JerseyMagic! (See our Rules section for more deets on submitting.)

Those who attend will be treated to a screening of their project at the beautiful Clairidge Movie Theater, so you can grab some popcorn and see your work up on the Big Screen!🍿 You will also have the opportunity to network and mingle with industry powerhouses, special guests, and fellow creators at the terrific 505 Cinema, where we hold our workshops and panels. Of course, parties will be part of the festivities throughout the weekend!

And our wonderful Awards Gala gives you the opportunity to eat, drink, and celebrate your work! Check out the pics, and follow our social media for videos from the events. You've never been to a festival like the #NJWebFest.

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#NJWebFest is proud to announce our new Scholarship Program and Judging Sponsorship! These initiatives allow us to address the financial barriers facing indie content creators AND ensure that our judges are paid for their time and labor: https://newjerseywebfest.com/sponsorship

Awards & Prizes

** See further below on this page for Submission Rules!

These are some of the awards that are expected for 2024 (subject to change, depending on submissions.)

WEBSERIES | PILOTS | TRAILERS | MUSIC VIDEOS | SHORTS
Best Actor in various genres (Comedy, Drama, Thriller, Sci-Fi, Fantasy...)
Best Actress in various genres (Comedy, Drama, Thriller, Sci-Fi, Fantasy...)
Best Supporting Actor in various genres (Comedy, Drama, Thriller, Sci-Fi, Fantasy...)
Best Supporting Actress in various genres (Comedy, Drama, Thriller, Sci-Fi, Fantasy...)
Best Host
Best Guest Star
Best Director in various genres (Comedy, Drama, Thriller, Sci-Fi, Fantasy...)
Best Writing in various genres (Comedy, Drama, Thriller, Sci-Fi, Fantasy...)
Best Cinematography in various genres (Comedy, Drama, Thriller, Sci-Fi, Fantasy...)
Best Ensemble Cast - Comedic
Best Ensemble Cast - Dramatic
Best On-Screen Chemistry
Best Special Effects/Video Effects
Best Editing - Comedic
Best Editing - Dramatic
Best Score/Soundtrack
Best Theme Song
Best Series Premise
Outstanding Trailer
Outstanding Music Video
Direct Selection to Partner Festivals
Outstanding Short Film
Outstanding Script
Outstanding Comedy Series
Outstanding Drama Series
Outstanding Animation Series
Outstanding Sketch Comedy Series
Outstanding Dramedy Series
Outstanding Thriller Series
Outstanding Sci-Fi Series
Outstanding Unscripted/Reality Series
Outstanding Mockumentary Series
Michael J. Ajakwe Jr. “Don’t Wait Create!” Achievement Award
Theresa Labreglio "Jersey Strong" Achievement Award
Best of the Best

FICTION PODCASTS | ACTUAL PLAY PROJECTS

*This list is an example of awards we are considering for 2024 and is subject to change at any time*

Fiction Podcast

Best Editing of a Fiction Podcast
Best Overall Sound Design of a Fiction Podcast
Best Action Sound Design of a Fiction Podcast
Best Environmental Sound Design of a Fiction Podcast
Best Director
Best Writing / Script
Best Leading Performance (1)
Best Leading Performance (2)
Best Supporting Performance (1)
Best Supporting Performance (2)
Best Chemistry
Best Ensemble Cast
Outstanding Comedy
Outstanding Drama
Outstanding Science Fiction
Outstanding Fantasy
Outstanding Horror/Thriller

Actual Play

Best Editing of an Actual Play
Best Sound Design of an Actual Play
Best Game Master of an Edited Actual Play
Best Game Master of an Unedited Actual Play
Best Player Character Performance of an Edited Actual Play
Best Player Character Performance of an Unedited Actual Play
Best Ensemble Cast of an Actual Play
Best Costume/Makeup in an Actual Play
Best Overlay Design in an Actual Play
Best Ensemble Character Art
Outstanding Edited Actual Play
Outstanding Unedited Actual Play

Combined Fiction Podcast and Actual Play

Best Cover Art
Best Series Premise
Best Original Scoring
Best Original Song
Best Anthology
Best Family Friendly
Best of the Best Audio Fiction
William Dufris "Those Who Dare, Win" Achievement Award

Rules & Terms

1. If you've uploaded a video file to FilmFreeway, great! No length limit on web series, and creators should also include a link for us to view your entire series. You can also email us the link to your show at info@newjerseywebfest.com. IF IT IS PASSWORD-PROTECTED, please make sure to provide us with the password.

2. Creators of Fiction Podcasts, Actual Play audio or video projects, and Audio Fiction standalones: Please submit a MAXIMUM of 30 minutes from your series for our judges. This can be a straight 30 minute excerpt, it could be a “highlight reel” of sorts, or anything in between. It is entirely up to you to decide what gets included in your submission, but know that is the primary thing our judges will use for acceptances, nominations, and awards. If your submission is longer than 30 minutes, initial judging will be just on that first 30 minutes.

For audio-only submissions, when you join FilmFreeway, you can upload your audio file by categorizing your work as “Music/Songwriting”. It’s currently the only category that allows you to upload audio-only files. Visit newjerseywebfest.com/FilmFreeway-podcasts for more detailed instructions. Contact Ned at podcasts@newjerseywebfest.com if you have any questions.

3. If you are selected, we may ask for a truncated version of your project for screening purposes, depending on the length of your episodes. Official Selections will be shown in screening blocks on The Big Screen at a wonderful movie theater in Montclair. Following the screening, we hold talkbacks where each project's representative can speak with the audience about their inspiration behind the project and where we can see more. For those who cannot attend, we will screen a shorter excerpt, i.e. a trailer, sizzle reel, etc, up to two minutes long, on which we recommend adding information on where we can view more. This will not affect your award consideration, as judges will be viewing your project in its entirety.

4. Web series and Actual Play video projects that have a spoken language other than English must be subtitled in English. If your podcast is in a language other than English. We need you to email us an English transcript after submitting (email it to info@newjerseywebfest.com; include your tracking number in the subject line). Music videos don’t need to be subtitled or translated. Scripts must be in English.

5. Actual Play creators. All audio-only projects should submit as “Actual Play (Podcast)" and all livestreams and pre-recorded/edited video projects should submit as "Actual Play (Video)”. Your submission must be a maximum of 30 minutes, which you could submit an excerpt of an episode, or create a highlight reel of sorts. If you have any questions at all, contact Ned at podcasts@newjerseywebfest.com.

6. Official Selections will be announced on or before July 21, 2024.

7. Award nominees will be announced on or before August 15, 2024.

8. Event date: September 26-29, 2024
122 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Silvie Zamora

    So grateful for this opportunity and for the kind and smart people who ran it all. Excellent communication about everything!

    October 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you!! We were thrilled to have your fiction podcast in our festival!

  • Planet Arcana

    The NJ WebFest was the first festival our podcast ever entered, and we had a great experience! Thank you so much to all organizers and judges. We would definitely recommend the New Jersey WebFest to any creator

    October 2023
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    Response from festival:

    We are thrilled to hear that your first festival experience was a great one! It was our honor to have you. Thank you so much for the kind words. Much appreciated!

  • Peter Ireland

    While I couldn't attend in person due to other commitments, the festival was excellent with its communication and respectful even as a non-attending selection. Recommended.

    October 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much. Glad you were able to Feel The Magic from afar. Your show, Bogan Moths, is brilliant. Keep creating!!

  • JoeBert Entertainment

    NJ Web Fest was great! We had two films in the festival and each screening had an enthusiastic crowd with a great energy and atmosphere. The films looked amazing; they clearly put care into making sure that the filmmakers' art was displayed at a high quality (the way it should be). The Q&As were great and the networking events provided everyone with the opportunity to connect with other artists. Highly recommended!

    October 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you! It's always paramount for us to present your work in the best way possible, so we appreciate you noticing :) Keep creating and making great art; you all are super talented!

  • Kevin Hejna

    I had a wonderful time at the New Jersey Webfest. My film, Fallout, was presented in excellent quality in a movie theater. The work shown from other filmmakers in the festival was inspiring. The panels were enlightening. And the Gala at the close of the weekend was one of the best times I have ever had at a film festival.

    October 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Appreciate you! It was wonderful having you at our festival. We look forward to seeing more great work from you and your remarkable team. Thanks again!