Welcome To Our 

NJ State Film Festival

NJ State Film Festival is a huge attraction cinephiles. With every passing year, the NJ State Film Festival is attracting a larger audience. We meticulously select and showcase films created by highly talented and passionate filmmakers.

What the media had to say about the first New Jersey State Film festival

Well-organized Venue

There is usually great order and clarity at the venue of the NJ State Film Festival. The film festival staff members are quick on their feet and ready to provide the necessary directions and instructions.

Overwhelming Success

All the halls in the NJ State Film Festival are usually packed with people. There is an open embrace of many creative and bohemian ideas. There is also a profound exchange of talent and experience among filmmakers and film students.

Cultural Events

The NJ State Film Festival is known for having some of the best cultural events with plenty of food and drink. The cultural elements are eye-catching and colourful.

Our Services

Film Festival Schedule

The NJ State Film Festival has a well-planned and precise film festival schedule. It usually takes place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Festival of Independents

The NJ State Film Festival place where freedom and independence are deeply cherished values. We have independent filmmakers and enthusiastic film students flocking the festival.

Young Filmmaker's Workshop

Weekend bootcamp introduction to filmmaking, from script to screen. For high school age students. Best films will be shown at the Festival of Independents.

Susan Sarandon Kicks Off 2nd Annual
Cape May NJ State Film Festival

Susan Sarandon played to a packed Congress Hall ballroom Thursday afternoon,
as she kicked the 2nd annual Cape May NJ State Film Festival.

Call For Festival Tickets!!

Limited seating for some events. Reserve tickets
now. Ticket Information.

Happy Reviews

“The NJ State Film Festival is one of my top three favourite film festivals. I am always in admiration of the selection of movies made every year and I get a truly enriching experience.”
Marilyn A. Hatley
“It was my first time at the NJ State Film Festival. I have been to many film festival venues but I had the most fun on this one. The events were full of life and the films were very artistic.”
Eric D. Brown
“The NJ State Film Festival has great entertainment and educational value to offer. I recommend it to every film student out there who wishes to be inspired and motivated.”
Leighann R. Hill

Latest News & Events

An Insider’s Look at the NJ Indie Film Festival

NJ Indie Film Festival

If you’re a New Jersey filmmaker and are looking for an opportunity to showcase your work in front of thousands of potential viewers, look no further than the New Jersey Indie Film Festival. Held annually at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, this film festival showcases independent films from all over the country.

The submission process is competitive, but if you follow these tips and make sure your submission meets all requirements by the deadline date, you’ll have nothing to worry about!

Film Festival

The NJ Indie Film Festival Features Independent Films made by Directors and Producers across the Country

The competition is judged on originality, direction, pacing and production quality. Films must be submitted in digital format at least one month before the festival date.

Filmmakers should submit their films to the NJ Indie Film Festival in digital format at least one month before the festival date. The film must be sent on a DVD or USB flash drive, and it must have a completed entry form included with it.

Filmmakers are also required to submit the following information about their film: the title, running time and format (either 16mm, 35mm, or HD), as well as any contact information available for them or anyone else involved in producing this film.

Each Film is judged on the Originality of its Content, Direction, Pacing and Production Quality

The NJ Indie Film Festival is an opportunity for filmmakers to showcase their work and receive feedback from some of the most successful producers and directors in Hollywood. If your film is selected, it will be viewed by a panel of judges who have worked on films like “The Hangover,” “Divergent” and “Spider-Man.”

Each film is judged on the originality of its content, direction, pacing and production quality. Films that are well made but have unoriginal or derivative content will not likely be accepted into the festival.

Filmmakers must check the NJ Indie Film Festival Website Frequently for Updates

As a filmmaker, you will want to regularly check the NJ Indie Film Festival website for updates. The festival has a blog with frequent posts on the latest news and information about film submissions. It also has an email newsletter that keeps you updated on any changes made to the festival.

New Jersey Filmmakers can Submit their work to a variety of Festivals throughout the Year

You can submit your film to a variety of festivals throughout the year. The New Jersey State Indie Film Festival is one of the most popular, but there are many others. Filmmakers should send their films in digital format (e.g., DVD). If you live in New Jersey, it’s easy to get your films accepted into this festival: just follow these steps!

The NJ Indie Film Festival is an excellent opportunity for filmmakers to showcase their work and gain exposure. Filmmakers can submit their films at any time throughout the year, but they should make sure to check the festival website frequently for updates on deadlines and how submissions are being accepted.

The Best Tips for Making a Knockout Short Film for Festivals

Short Film

Short films are a great way to make money, network, or get your name out there. But if you don’t have the proper foundation for your short film, then it won’t be successful. This guide will help you understand what goes into making a short film so that it can stand out from all of the other entries at festivals and competitions.

The first question to answer is, who is going to watch your short film?

Let’s start with the audience. Three main demographics come together when you dream of creating a short film: filmmakers, festival directors and attendees. Film festivals have many different types of people entering them and watching them. Most likely, you will be in one of these groups:

A filmmaker – if you make films for fun or work on them as a job, this section applies to you!

Festival Director – if you run an international film festival like Sundance or Telluride, this section applies to you! It gives an overview of who is coming into your festival, along with tips on how they can improve their viewing experience by keeping things interesting throughout the day (and night).

Attendees – if someone has invited themself onto jury duty at Cannes, this section applies directly because this person probably doesn’t know what they’re doing!

What can you afford?

Before you get started, ask yourself what you can afford. The cost of making a short film varies wildly depending on your resources and how ambitious you are with your vision.

Short films

In terms of festival fees: Most festivals charge between $20-$50 per submission fee (though some do go up as high as $100). But if your goal is to enter one or two festivals at most—and not win any awards—then this will not break the bank too much either!

Again though, this depends on how many entries each festival receives each year, so it’s best if, before submitting anything anywhere, make sure there aren’t any hidden costs involved; otherwise, those could add up quickly!

What are some popular genres?

The most popular categories for short films are comedy, drama and horror, but there are many others. Animation is a great way to tell a story in an engaging new way. Sci-fi and thriller are also popular categories for shorts. Westerns are less common but still have a cult following among film fans who appreciate their unique story structure and setting.

How long should the short be?

There is no exact formula for determining the length of your short film. However, many festivals have a limit on the maximum length of their films. Some festivals accept shorts under 15 minutes, while others accept films as long as 25 or 30 minutes.

There are many great tools to help you with production and post-production, but always keep in mind that the most important aspect of creating a short film is passion. If you have a story you want to tell, then go for it! You don’t need any fancy equipment or lots of money. Just remember that practice makes perfect and never give up on your dream!

Prepare Your Pitch: Tips for Aceing the Indie Film Auditions

Film Auditions

You’ve got your headshots and resume, but now it’s time to put your skills on display. Auditions are one of the most important steps in becoming a working actor, so you must know how to ace them. If you want the best chance at getting cast in an indie film, follow these tips for preparing yourself for the big moment:

Know the Part Before You Get There

If you are going to audition for an independent film, it’s important to know the part before you get there.

Read the script at least twice and memorize your lines.

Know the character’s motivation and backstory. Why are they doing what they’re doing? How did they get to this point in their lives? What have events in their past shaped who they are as a person?

audition

Know how your character relates with other characters in the film and how those relationships develop throughout the story.  Make sure that reading through these scenes feels natural; if it doesn’t, go back over them until it does!

Do Your Research

You’ve already done the work and sent in your audition. Now it’s time to prepare for the day of the audition. As you sit in the waiting room with other actors, there will be some who are getting ready and others who are still trying to figure out what they’re doing there.

Don’t be one of those people! If you want to ace your indie film audition, research beforehand so you can come prepared to wow everyone on set.

Always Be Prepared

When you appear for an audition, you must be prepared to nail it. You’ve already done your homework and know your lines, so now’s the time to focus on bringing life and energy to the character through your performance.

Use Your Resources

Make use of your network. The best way to get information about casting calls is from people you know and trust, whether those are friends who are actors or industry professionals. Ask your community to find out what’s happening in the field.

Social media can be a great resource for finding out about new projects, so ensure you’re following relevant accounts on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other social networks that aren’t just filled with pictures of cats or memes.

Visualize Yourself in the Role

This is a powerful tool for getting into character. Visualization helps you prepare for the audition and get your mind and body ready to be put on camera.

Visualization

Visualization is a great way to develop your acting skills, too! You can use visualization, from memorizing lines to imagining how your character would behave in different situations.

Don’t Compare Yourself to Others

Remember that everyone is unique, just like you. Everyone has a different background, personality and style—what makes them special. There are no perfect personalities or performances out there—and if there were, they would become repetitive very quickly!

Don’t let nerves get you down — remember that everyone has to go through this process at some point in their careers (even if they don’t realize it). If you put in the time and effort needed for preparation, you have nothing to worry about. Good luck!

The Science Behind the Awards: What Makes a Winner in the Film Industry?

Film Industry

The film industry is one of the most competitive industries in the world. There are thousands of films released each year and only a handful ever get awards recognition at all.

For example, in 2018, there were over 1,000 submissions to the Oscar race. That’s small compared to some categories (such as documentary), which have thousands more submissions each year than they can even count! This means that even if you’re an expert in this field or have been working on something for years—it might still not win an award.

oscar awards

Statistics predict the Oscars

The film industry is one where statistics and data are constantly used to make predictions about how a movie will do. Since the Oscars are decided by members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, many people want to know what makes them vote for one movie over another.

It’s true that there’s no real science behind the process—the academy is not a scientific body and it doesn’t follow set rules when making decisions. The group has no formal structure or hierarchy; it consists of more than 6,000 members who vote on nominees and winners based on their personal preferences.

And while there may be some consensus about which movies should win certain awards (like the best picture), the majority opinion does not always carry weight with all members. In other words: They’re not voting in a democracy!

Do Men and Women Receive Equal Attention at the Oscars?

If you’re looking to make a splash in Hollywood, you better have some serious clout. And if you’re a woman, it’s likely that no matter how much power you have, your influence will pale in comparison to men’s.

While there are plenty of women who have won Academy Awards or nominations for their work in film, most awards go to men. In fact, men have received the majority of all Oscar wins since 1929—right when the sound began being used in movies! (And before then too.)

How Often Do Actors Win for Roles That Are Very Different From Themselves?

If you’re an actor, you probably don’t want to hear this: according to our data, winning a major award is not a good predictor of future success. The best actors are often nominated for roles that they have not played before—and in fact, it seems as if they are more likely to win when they play roles that are very different from themselves!

This is one of the most surprising findings in our analysis; it suggests that the choice of role plays a greater role than anything else does in determining whether an actor wins awards or not.

Which Characteristics Do Oscar Nominees Have in Common?

Oscar winners are more likely to be from the US. Oscar nominees are far more likely to be American than not, with an overwhelming majority being citizens of the United States (91%). In contrast, only half of Golden Globe nominees have this distinction.

When we look at statistics like these, it becomes clear that there’s a clear formula for winning an Academy Award: make sure your movie has strong female characters, be visually striking and tell stories about overcoming adversity.

The Basics Of Going To A Film Festival

Film Festival

Going to a film festival can be one of the most fun experiences in life. You can see new movies, meet interesting people and travel to exciting places. The downside is that it’s expensive; you’ll need to pay for transportation, lodging and food (and maybe even some entertainment).

But as long as you do your research and plan ahead, going to a film festival can be an incredibly rewarding experience.

Don’t miss any films you’re interested in seeing by showing up too late

If you’re going to the festival, be there when it starts. You might think this goes without saying, but it’s a little more complicated.

film festival

First of all, if you’re attending any event or festival where tickets are involved and have been sold out for months now (like Sundance), they’re probably not going to sell more tickets just because you showed up late and missed the first half hour or so of whatever film you wanted to see based on its trailer alone.

Second of all: even without tickets involved, if you plan to show up at the venue on opening night and try your luck with whatever shows are selling tickets at will call—it’s not going to work out that well for you most times.

Research the films you’re thinking about seeing in advance

Besides the obvious—be sure to research the movie you’re interested in seeing in advance—there are a few other things worth looking into.

Look up the directors and producers, as well as the actors involved with each film, and read their bios. You may get an idea of what kind of person they are from their history or their quotes on the website. This can give you insight into what kind of movie this might be based on who made it!

Check award nominations and wins at festivals like Sundance or Cannes (or any other festival), which will help guide your decision about which ones might be good to attend yourself someday soon!

Understand the basic rules of etiquette at film festivals, like turning off your phone and shutting up while a movie is playing

You might be tempted to use your phone while crowded in a theater with hundreds of other people. Don’t do it. You will annoy everyone around you, including the people who are putting on the film festival and might someday hire you as an actor or filmmaker.

filmmaker

Similarly, if someone else is talking loudly during the movie, let them know that they’re being disruptive so that everyone can enjoy themselves more. And please don’t eat popcorn or any other food during a film—the last thing we need is for our audiences to be distracted by crumbs flying through their air and landing on their clothes or laps (we’ve all been there).

The best way to avoid these problems is always to arrive early and sit in the back rows—it’s much easier to quietly slip out of one’s seat when needed than if one were in an aisle seat right next to another row!

However, if your schedule doesn’t allow for this planning ahead (or maybe even if it does), try asking someone else sitting near where you want to sit whether they mind giving up their spot so that you can sit there instead!

Things You Can Expect From A Film Festival

Film Festival

An important link in the web of the world’s cinema culture is the film festival. The front lines of a world that are becoming more divisive are being helped by film festivals. They allow you to hear a great array of opinions from the split territories because they speak multiple languages. Here are some things you may expect from a film festival.

Maintain your professionalism

Your natural tendency may be to approach the film festival as a victory party because seeing your movie accepted into a festival can appear like the ultimate prize after a protracted and difficult creative process. Yes, it is this, but keep your composure. Having your movie screened at a festival is a possibility for your career, so you should handle it as such. Avoid being the person who disrespectfully leaves during a movie or who gets too intoxicated at social events. Small details count because the connections you build at film festivals will last throughout your career, so be careful to make the right impression.

Be prepared in advance

No matter the size or reputation of the festival you’re contemplating, guarantee your presence and begin making plans as soon as possible. You will typically receive some form of a bonus if your film is selected for the festival, like one or two freebies for your production members and a limited discounted passes for family and friends. Since passes frequently sell out quickly throughout this procedure, be sure to account for everyone in your group. Always ask about housing possibilities for filmmakers, as certain festivals do offer them on occasion.

Have a thought-out plan

Since film festivals are hectic, if you don’t go into them with a strategy in mind, you risk missing out on some excellent opportunities. Many people are unaware that you still require a ticket for every movie even if you have a festival pass, which might result in standing in line for more than hours before each screening. The films you desire to see should be highlighted in the festival’s schedule. You can find this challenging as a filmmaker because of your mandated responsibilities. You won’t leave a festival with unmet expectations if you go in with the understanding that you won’t be able to engage in everything.

Do not presume that everyone is experiencing the same thing

Everyone attends film festivals with a different viewpoint on the event, so it’s vital to keep this in mind even though you’ll meet lots of interesting creatives and appreciate a diversity of programs. Some folks won’t be able to reach the same level of fresh excitement as you do. Don’t be offended by these things, then: Some attendees won’t be trying to make acquaintances because they have been going to festivals for years. Film festivals thrive because of your passion, but remember to be considerate of other people’s energy levels as well.

The Importance of Film Festivals

Film Festivals

Film festivals serve as gathering points for filmmakers and those who are curious about the world and its diversity, and various lifestyles, and film as a creative form, medium, and means of social expression. Film festivals provide filmmakers a foundation to implement their tasks and debate things used in the movie as well as the movie-making process. Hence film festivals inspire and create communication between people. Here are some reasons for the importance of film festivals.

Film Festivals Provide Community

A festival’s programming is frequently tailored to the interests of the local population or with the intention of generating conversation during a Q&A session after the film. To replicate the feeling of attending a film festival screening in real and being able to pose a question straight to the filmmaker, organizers are planning more interactive Q&A talks online this year. The experience of viewing a movie with a large group of people is thrilling. It’s a terrific approach to advance community discourse by letting people examine other opinions and viewpoints on both art and subjects. Festivals provide a vital community where filmmakers and other creatives can discover allies and partners.

Film Festivals Are Individualistic

Festivals are all about sharing the wonderful experience, taking in the distinctive and thoughtfully curated film lineup, and exchanging energy and emotions. To enable people to patiently communicate and experience things, whether it be art or a concept conveyed through a documentary film, is the goal. The prevalence of film festivals all around the world is evolving from a weakness to a strength as a future vision of festival cooperation supports the alternative, cordial distribution of filmmakers’ work. Festivals are similar to receiving personalized advice from the organizers and screening committee.

Film Festivals Foster Community Pride

Only a carefully organized, legitimate celebration can actually inspire a sense of pride, despite the fact that many commerce chambers around the nation may organize a festival to draw prominence to their area or promote tourism. Future opportunities to screen more high-profile films increase with respect.  The film festival is the ideal medium for bringing people together to discover different cultures and celebrate innovation, which will always be vital. The best experiences are shared at film festivals so we may learn from them. Film festivals serve to motivate viewers and maintain the interest in cinematic experiences.

Film Festivals
CANNES, FRANCE – MAY 14: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been created using a tilt shift lens) Robin Campillo, Pawel Pawlikowski, Yorgos Lanthimos, Alice Rohrwacher, Enki Bilal, Maimouna N’Diaye, Kelly Reichardt, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and Elle Fanning attend the opening ceremony and screening of “The Dead Don’t Die” during the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival on May 14, 2019 in Cannes, France. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images)

Film Festivals Provide Opportunity

The thrilling opportunity to see numerous films in advance of their general public commercial release is available at film festivals. Yes, staying ahead of the curve is a self-satisfying status symbol, but viewers can also contribute to the culture by promoting the movies to friends or discussing them on social networks. Meeting the film’s creators is another possibility presented by festivals. Festivals work to get these visitors to the film festival in person or at the very least digitally via a screen, whether they be the filmmaker, the screenwriter, the members of the cast, or the protagonists of a documentary.

Why Are Film Festivals So Crucial To Your Professional Life?

Film Festivals

Film festivals are the occasion when local filmmakers come together to share and present their yearly productions. Filmmakers get the chance and platform to present their storytelling and filmmaking talents at festivals. It serves as a means of expressing their worldview to their viewers. Here are a few reasons why film festivals are essential for your professional or career life.

Filmmakers

Networking and connecting

Any firm or filmmaker’s capacity to properly link and connect with other market players will determine how successful they are. Networks underpin the film industry. Several activities serve as the foundation for these linkages. Festivals are filled with meeting and greeting events and get-togethers. Over cocktails or supper, people can converse. It’s common for people to meet for commercial purposes and even an ideal strategy for enlarging one’s network. The main focus of the events is on the art, talent, and ability of filmmaking. Celebrity pomp and spectacle are frequently present.

Exposes independent filmmakers to a wider audience

Independent and small-scale cinema and filmmakers are frequently eclipsed and put out of business by the powerful forces behind mainstream films, who use expensive marketing and promotion. This reduces the exposure that these small businesses receive. Because they lack the resources to effectively compete with the larger well-known businesses, it causes that good movie to go ignored. They are given a voice and a stage at film festivals to share with the world about themselves. They are the ideal venues for promoting your movie and raising awareness of your brand and business.

Movie marketing and promotion

Film festivals serve as crucial marketing and promotion tools. All filmmakers must raise awareness of and attention for their work. Big stars frequently engage in extensive marketing and public relations efforts to support their films. The availability of this for indie filmmakers is less. Thus, festivals allow them the opportunity to do so on a much smaller scale. The festivals also assist them by arranging interviews with the appropriate media, providing much-needed reviews, and marketing the films to executives searching for the next big picture to invest in. Three ways that film festivals will help filmmakers with marketing:

  • Interviews and reviews
  • Awards
  • Selling movies

film test screenings

Create a venue for film test screenings

For filmmakers, this represents a significant advantage. They have venues to test their films in front of spectators at film festivals. The audience’s reaction to the film will determine if it can be released as is or whether certain edits and adjustments need to be made to make the movie better. This is a fantastic approach to examine the work’s quality before publishing it. It enables the director to fix any mistakes or poor footage by bringing them to their attention.

5 Reasons To Attend A Short Film Festival

Film Festival

No matter your interest in film, there’s no better place to be than at a short film festival. These events showcase a wide variety of films from different genres and filmmakers worldwide in one location. Here are five reasons why attending a short film festival is worth it:

Watch Something New

Short films are less expensive to make than feature films. This means you can see more new material without breaking the bank.

Short films are usually faster than feature films. They’re also often more experimental and creative, making them great for those who like independent art or want to see something different from what Hollywood delivers every week or so.

short film festival

Short film festivals are a chance to watch something new! What better way to cultivate an appreciation for cinema than watching short movies?

See An Exciting Variety Of Films

Short films are an exciting way to see an exciting variety of films. They can be funny, sad, scary, or inspiring. Short films are often more experimental and creative than features. There is a wide range of genres, including horror and science fiction, as well as dramas and comedies.

While many short films have limited budgets and resources compared to features, they tend to have more unique stories that cover diverse topics such as immigration and human rights issues.

Support Local Artists

There are many ways to support local artists. One way is by attending their film festival, and another is by purchasing their movie on DVD or streaming it online. Another way is by donating to their film festival.

The best part? You don’t need much time or money to attend one!

Short Films Are More Accessible (And Awesome) Than You Think

Short films are cheaper to make than feature films. The average budget for a short film is $5,000 to $20,000 (according to Film Shortage). This is because short films have much less overhead than full-length features.

They don’t need expensive equipment or locations; they don’t require as many actors and crew members; they don’t take as long to shoot; and they can be produced in a shorter amount of time.

Attending a short film festival is a rare opportunity to discover something new

Short films are a great way to discover new talent. Many of today’s most famous filmmakers started out making short films, and many more are still making them today. While you can find plenty of long film festivals with renowned directors like Quentin Tarantino and Christopher Nolan, there aren’t as many opportunities for up-and-comers to be seen by the masses.

Short films are often more accessible to the average person. You don’t need an expensive ticket or a membership card to watch shorts ovies at your nearest theater or festival venue—you need cash!

It’s easy to forget the magic of film festivals in today’s digital age. But if you want to get out of your comfort zone and experience something new, a short film festival is the place to go. You can watch something shot right in front of you, support local filmmakers while they’re still just starting, or discover an amazing new talent before they become famous.

Film festivals are a great way to spend an evening with friends or family without spending too much money (or even leaving the house). So why not check one out?

Making the Most Out of Your Indie Film Audition: Tips From Experts

Film Audition

The audition process can feel like an intimidating one. You might be wondering if you’re prepared or whether you have what it takes to make your mark in the film industry.

These questions are natural, but they don’t have to hold you back from making the most out of your audition. Here are some tips and tricks for getting through the audition process so that you can truly shine:

Don’t memorize your lines too early

Memorize the first line, then the second, then the third. Do not commit more than two or three sentences to memory at a time before you start shooting. This will help prevent you from overthinking your material and becoming too self-conscious about it.

Prepare as much material as possible

Having a lot of material to choose from is often better than having only two or three things memorized. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t prepare material; make sure you’re not overdoing it so much that your audition feels dull or rehearsed (unless your character would naturally be very formal).

Bring a good attitude and calm energy

In addition to the usual advice of being prepared and ready to work, the best actors have a certain attitude that gets them through each audition. It’s important to bring a good attitude and calm energy.

audition

The casting directors are looking for people who can engage with others relaxedly. If you come off as too intense or overly focused on getting the part, it could make you seem unapproachable or challenging to work with.

But don’t be afraid to show emotion

Remember that emotion makes a performance memorable. It adds depth and layers to your character, but you must be careful not to overdo it. You don’t want the director or casting director to think that you’re simply being emotional just for being emotional; they need to know that this is how your character would act in this situation.

For them to understand what kind of range of emotions you can convey, you need to show some restraint and be honest with yourself so that you can make sure all those feelings come through on camera when they’re needed.

Don’t play the role like other actors have played it before you

There are two common mistakes actors make when reading an indie film. The first is playing the role like all of the other actors before they played it. This happens more often than you think, and it’s not a good idea.

The director may have already seen a dozen people play this role, and if you throw in the same performance as everyone else, you won’t stand out from the crowd.

The second mistake is being afraid to try something new because you’re worried about making mistakes or looking bad on camera.

Ultimately, it’s important to remember that auditioning for an indie film is a collaborative process. You have the opportunity to bring your unique vision and interpretation of the role to life, whether that means getting your sense of humor or emotional depth, or angry intensity.