New Jersey Independent Film Festival

06/17/2026

New Jersey Independent Film Festival Announces 2026 Award Winners Following Four Days of Independent Cinema in Cranford

CRANFORD, NEW JERSEY — The 2026 edition of the New Jersey Independent Film Festival concluded on June 13 after four days of screenings at the historic Cranford Theater, bringing together filmmakers and audiences for a celebration of independent storytelling from around the world.
Running from June 10 through June 13, the festival presented a curated selection of 19 films spanning a wide range of formats and genres, including narrative features, short films, documentaries, experimental cinema, animation, and music videos. The program highlighted both emerging and established voices, offering audiences an opportunity to discover bold and distinctive works that challenge conventions and explore new creative territories.

"The strength of independent cinema lies in its diversity," said festival curator Kris De Meester. "This year's program demonstrated the remarkable range of stories, perspectives, and artistic approaches being explored by filmmakers today. We are grateful to all participating filmmakers and to the audiences who joined us throughout the festival."

The festival is pleased to announce its 2026 award winners:

Best Narrative Feature Film:
The Insides of our Lives (Netherlands) by Misja Pekel

Best Narrative Short Film:
Scenario (Japan) by Kazunori Miura

Best Documentary Feature Film:
My Sunnyside (United States) by Matylda Kawka

Best Documentary Short Film:
To the embers (France) by Morgane Ambre

Best Animated Film:
God Dam (United States) by Abigail Hill

Best Experimental Film:
Becoming (United Kingdom) by Shelley Hopkins

Best Super Short Film:
Equinox (United States) by Cris Hunter Skulmoski

Best New Jersey Film:
Nuclear Daydreams (United States) by Alex Swetlitschnyj, Lorenzo Graziano

Best Actor (m/f/x):
Sophie Verbeeck in An excess baggage (France) by Myriam Garcia Marienstras

Audience Choice Award:
The End in Slow Motion (United States) by Joshua Kaufman

While the in-person screenings have concluded, the festival experience continues online. A selection of films from the official program remains available through the festival's streaming platform until July 9, allowing audiences who were unable to attend the screenings in Cranford to discover some of this year's standout selections from the comfort of their homes.
The New Jersey Independent Film Festival remains committed to showcasing innovative and independent voices from across the globe while fostering meaningful connections between filmmakers and audiences.

For more information about the festival, streaming program, and submission opportunities, visit the festival website.
https://www.newjerseyfilmfestival.com

About the New Jersey Independent Film Festival
The New Jersey Independent Film Festival is an annual celebration of independent cinema dedicated to presenting outstanding films from around the world. Through theatrical screenings and online programming, the festival provides a platform for emerging and established filmmakers working across narrative, documentary, experimental, animated, and hybrid forms of filmmaking.

05/26/2026

The New Jersey Independent Film Festival is coming to Cranford Theater again on June 10-13.

The festival will bring a four-day showcase of global independent films right to our doorstep.

Get your tickets for one night or 4 but definitely don’t miss your chance to be a part of this special event. It’s always an evening to remember.

05/14/2026

🎬 NEW JERSEY INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL IS BACK.

We are back at the Cranford Theater for 4 unforgettable days of bold films, powerful stories, and independent cinema from around the world.

📍 Cranford Theater
📅 June 10–13,

Check out this year’s selection and secure your tickets

Link in bio.

05/03/2026

🎬 NJIFF 2026 — OFFICIAL PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
THE NEW JERSEY INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS TO THE CRANFORD THEATRE FOR ITS 2026 SEASON

Four Nights of Global Independent Cinema. One Iconic Venue. June 10–13.

CRANFORD, NJ — The New Jersey Independent Film Festival (NJIFF) is proud to announce its 2026 season, returning to the historic Cranford Theatre for four electrifying nights of curated international independent film — Wednesday through Saturday, June 10–13, 2026, with nightly screenings beginning at 7PM.

This year’s festival continues NJIFF’s celebrated tradition of discovering bold, boundary-pushing cinema from filmmakers around the globe. True to its reputation, the 2026 lineup spotlights hidden gems, cutting-edge storytelling, and the kind of fearless independent vision that has earned NJIFF global recognition — with alumni films going on to thrive at A-list festivals, some earning Academy Award nominations.

Join us June 10–13 LIVE IN PERSON at the Cranford Theatre for four nights of bold, global independent film. Can’t make it? Stream June 10–July 9. Tickets & schedule at newjerseyfilmfestival.com 🎟️

https://www.newjerseyfilmfestival.com

06/09/2025

New Jersey Independent Film Festival Closes 2025 Edition, Announces Award Winners:

Saturday marked the closing night of the New Jersey Independent Film Festival. The festival, now in its fifth year, once again a brought a four-day showcase of independent cinema from around the world at Cranford and. Montclair. The festival also presented an online section, the OFF ON Selection, which remains available for streaming until 14 June (more info on the website: www.newjerseyfilmfestival.com).

Following the sudden collapse of the ceiling at the historic Cranford Theater, the New Jersey Independent Film Festival was forced to relocate this year’s edition to two alternate venues. In a show of solidarity and deep community commitment, the festival organized a special benefit night in support of the beloved local cinema. During the heartfelt evening, Doreen Sayegh of the Cranford Theater delivered an emotional speech, expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support and reaffirming the theater’s vital role in the cultural fabric of the region. “The Cranford Theater isn’t just a place to watch films—it’s a place where people come together, where local stories are told, and where community thrives,” Sayegh said. She reflected on the theater’s rich history of hosting world premieres, filmmaker Q&As, student screenings, senior matinees, and even live concerts. “We’ve poured everything into maintaining this space—from upgrades to programming—to ensure it's a welcoming home for every audience member.” The ceiling collapse on April 30 left the theater shaken, but the response from the public was immediate and powerful. “Insurance only covers so much,” Sayegh noted, “but what can’t be written into a policy is the spirit of the people who reached out asking, ‘How can I help bring the Cranford Theater back?’” She praised the NJ Independent Film Festival for its unwavering support of emerging voices in cinema and its role in sustaining independent film culture. “With your support tonight, we’re not just restoring a ceiling—we’re lifting one.” The benefit night served not only as a fundraiser but as a reaffirmation of the essential relationship between independent filmmakers, audiences, and the local theaters that bring them together.

The New Jersey Independent Film Festival is pleased to share with you today the 2025 award winners. This year's official selection was carefully selected out of more than a thousand submissions from around the globe, with 28 films making it to the final selection. The jury members have chosen to award the following films:

Best Narrative Feature Film:
Moi-même (United States) by Mojo L Lorwin, Lee Breuer

Best Narrative Short Film:
A Mother Goes To The Beach (Portugal) by Pedro Hasrouny

Best Documentary Feature Film:
Middletown (United States) by Jesse Moss, Amanda McBaine

Best Documentary Short Film:
The Other Side of Despair (Switzerland) by Varsy Buchmann

Best Animated Film:
The Core (Romania) by Robert Obert

Best Experimental Film:
Moi-même (United States) by Mojo L Lorwin, Lee Breuer

Best LGBTQ+ Film:
Brain Freeze (United States) by Kelsey Comeau

Best Super Short Film
Third Wheel (Switzerland) by Kevin Haefelin

Best Connecting Cultures Film
The Steak (Canada, Iran) by Kiarash Dadgar

Best Latin American Film
The Cascade (Mexico) by Pablo Delgado Sanchez

Best New Jersey Film:
Before Marriage (United States) by Matt Spade

Best Actor (m/f/x):
Oliver Krantz-Mikaelsen in Latchkey Kids (Norway) by Sindre Mangen Haram

Congratulations to all!

See you all next year!

06/06/2025

⚡️Join us at The Clairidge, Montclair Tonight, June 6 at 7pm for MIDDLETOWN, Jesse
Moss, Amanda McBaine ⚡️

Inspired by an unconventional teacher, a group of teenagers in upstate New York in the early 1990s make a student film and uncover a vast conspiracy that is poisoning their community. Thirty years later, they revisit their film and confront the legacy of this transformative experience.
Running time: 01:50:29 Followed by a talk back with Fred Isseks! ⚡️🍿Tickets at www.newjerseyfilmfestival.com

06/05/2025

We’re still going! ⚡️
Get over here! TONIGHT @ The Clairidge, Montclair 7pm Tickets and Lineup @ www.newjerseyfilmfestival.com

06/05/2025

https://newjersey.news12.com/nj-independent-film-festival-to-help-benefit-cranford-theater-following-partial-ceiling-collapse

Proceeds from ticket sales and a silent auction are going to the Cranford Theater, which has been the home of the festival.

06/04/2025

⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️🌈❤️

06/03/2025

🎬 The countdown is over — the New Jersey Independent Film Festival kicks off TOMORROW!
📍 Opening Night: UCNJ Cranford
🕠 Benefit begins at 5:30 PM | 🎥 Films start at 7 PM
🎟️ $25 includes light bites, mocktails, popcorn & movies — 100% of proceeds support the Cranford Theater rebuild! Tickets selling FAST 🔥 Grab yours.

Then we head to 📍 The Clairidge, Montclair June 5–7
🎟️ $10 tickets/night | Fresh indie films daily
🎫 Get your tickets now →

New Jersey's Newest Film Festival A three-day showcase of global independent films to the city’s Park Performing Arts Center.