The Fall 2025 New Jersey Film Festival is drawing film enthusiasts from across the state with a dynamic lineup of features and shorts that highlight innovative storytelling, striking visuals, and compelling performances. Running from September 5 through October 10, the festival continues its tradition of showcasing emerging talent alongside established filmmakers, creating an exciting platform for cinematic discovery.
Alberta Number One Creates Opening Night Buzz
Festival-goers were especially enthusiastic about the in-person Q&A with director Sandy Carson and lead actress Liz Peterson, which provided insight into the creative process and themes explored in the film. Early reviews have been positive, with local publications highlighting its “endearing” qualities and “poignant poetry,” cementing Alberta Number One as a festival highlight.
The feature film Alberta Number One has captured significant attention at the festival. Selected as the opening night feature on September 5, it immediately drew audiences eager to experience its unique take on the Western genre. Marketed as a “revisionist Western,” the film follows a group of characters wielding movie cameras instead of guns as they explore Alberta’s Canadian museums, roadside attractions, and natural landscapes. This inventive premise has been praised for blending tender moments, poetry, and surreal humor with occasional bursts of action, offering viewers a fresh cinematic experience.
Other Festival Standouts
Alongside Alberta Number One, several films in the Fall 2025 lineup have generated excitement:
- Hearts of Stone: Directed by Tom Van Avermaet, this surreal short film tells the story of Paula, a street artist who poses as a living statue and becomes an online sensation. The film explores isolation, human connection, and social commentary in the digital age. It screens in-person on Sunday, September 7, at Voorhees Hall on Rutgers University’s New Brunswick campus at 5 p.m., and is also available to stream online for 24 hours starting the same day.
- Becoming an Oyster: This animated short uses the life cycle of an oyster as a metaphor for climate change and opioid addiction, providing a visually inventive and emotionally resonant story.
- Elisa in Wonderland: Recognized at the New Jersey International Film Festival earlier in 2025 as Best Feature Film, it continues to captivate audiences with its imaginative narrative and rich character work.
- Wrestle-Off: Winner of Best Short Film at the June festival, this short combines humor and heart in its exploration of competitive spirit.
Festival Features and Shorts Programs
The festival’s feature films include:
- La Grande: Screening today on Saturday, September 6, offering audiences a glimpse into compelling international storytelling.
- Mistura: Available online for 24 hours and scheduled for an in-person screening on Friday, September 12, at 5 p.m., the film delivers an innovative narrative that blends realism with experimental techniques.
Shorts programs provide a diverse mix of genres and perspectives, including experimental works like Anima Magia, heartfelt narratives such as The Proposal, and social documentaries including Harlem to Harvard and Down the Line, which tackle local educational and civic issues. Other notable shorts include Jackie’s Guide to Nature, Prayer of the Sea, Honk, Home for None, Young Toussaint, Nobody Wants to Shoot a Woman, and Broken Pieces. Each offers unique storytelling that highlights emerging voices and creative experimentation in filmmaking.
The Fall 2025 New Jersey Film Festival continues to demonstrate the state’s vibrant film scene, providing a platform for independent filmmakers to engage directly with audiences. With in-person screenings, online streaming options, and interactive sessions, the festival is accessible to a broad audience while fostering meaningful discussions around storytelling, culture, and creativity. Festival attendees can explore the full lineup, schedules, and streaming options at Explore New Jersey Film Festival, ensuring they don’t miss a single screening or special event.
Whether you are a cinephile eager for innovative shorts or a fan of feature-length narratives pushing creative boundaries, this year’s festival offers a rich array of films that reflect both New Jersey’s growing influence on independent cinema and the broader evolution of contemporary filmmaking.
