The New Jersey film community is gearing up for one of its most anticipated cultural events as the 44th Bi-Annual New Jersey Film Festival returns this winter, running from January 23 through February 22, 2026. Presented by the Rutgers Film Co-op and the New Jersey Media Arts Center, this season’s festival continues its long-standing legacy of celebrating independent film, creativity, and innovation—offering audiences a chance to experience exceptional cinema from around the world, right here in the Garden State.
This year’s festival will once again embrace a hybrid format, allowing viewers to enjoy screenings both in person at Rutgers University in New Brunswick and virtually via video-on-demand. Each film will be available online for a 24-hour window on its designated show date, giving film lovers across New Jersey and beyond the chance to participate from wherever they are. In-person screenings will take place inside Rutgers’ historic Voorhees Hall #105, located at 71 Hamilton Street in New Brunswick, with showtimes scheduled for 1 PM, 5 PM, and 7 PM.
Ticket options have been designed to make the festival accessible to everyone. General admission is $15 per program, while students can enjoy discounted in-person tickets for $10. For the most devoted cinephiles, an All-Access Pass priced at $120 provides unlimited entry to every screening, both virtual and in-person.
Over the course of four weekends, audiences can expect an inspiring lineup of 45 films, including premieres and award contenders across multiple genres—narrative features, documentaries, experimental shorts, and international works. Several standout titles have already been announced, including B.F. Skinner Plays Himself, Arrested at Delaney Hall, Portrait of a Monastery, ANDA, Don’t Look in the Dark, The Shoshani Riddle, and Sum Function.
The festival’s curators have also included socially resonant documentaries like Mama’s Voice and Zinema, both of which delve into the human stories behind the Russian invasion of Ukraine. These powerful selections reflect the New Jersey Film Festival’s ongoing commitment to championing voices that challenge, inform, and inspire audiences through storytelling.
Beyond screenings, the festival also invests in the next generation of filmmakers through two free filmmaking workshops, each requiring advance registration due to limited space. On February 1, “The Film Business” workshop will offer insights into navigating the ever-evolving entertainment industry, while the “Intro to Filmmaking” session on February 15 is designed to teach beginners the fundamentals of visual storytelling, production techniques, and creative development.
What makes this festival truly distinctive is the meticulous selection process behind its programming. Each entry is carefully reviewed by a panel of media professionals, journalists, scholars, and students. From more than 600 submissions received globally, finalists were chosen to represent the best in independent cinema. Following the screenings, judges and festival organizers will determine the winners, who will be announced on February 14 for the NJFF competition and February 23 for the United States Super 8 Film + Digital Video Festival—both curated by the festival’s long-time director, Albert Gabriel Nigrin.
As one of the longest-running film festivals in the state, the New Jersey Film Festival has established itself as a vital platform for creative expression, intellectual exploration, and community engagement. It brings together filmmakers and audiences in an environment that celebrates the art of cinema—whether through on-campus discussions, post-screening Q&As, or virtual watch parties that connect cinephiles from across the globe.
The festival’s hybrid approach also ensures that accessibility remains at the heart of its mission, expanding its reach beyond traditional venues and reaffirming New Jersey’s role as a cultural crossroads for art, innovation, and diversity in film.
With decades of history and an ever-evolving lineup of international talent, the Spring 2026 New Jersey Film Festival promises to be a must-attend event for anyone passionate about film, creativity, and storytelling.
For more information about this and other cinematic events happening throughout the state, visit Explore New Jersey’s Film Festivals section for coverage, schedules, and exclusive updates on New Jersey’s thriving film scene. For information about the Festival, click here.
