originally published: 10/14/2019
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The award-winning films for the Fall 2019 New Jersey Film Festival were announced on October 13. All the works that were part of the film festival Competition were selected by a panel of judges including media professionals, journalists, students, and academics. These judges selected the 28 finalists which were publicly screened at our Festival. The finalists were selected from 618 works submitted by filmmakers from around the world. In addition, the judges chose the Prize Winners in conjunction with the Festival Director. Here is a list of the award-winning films starting with the Grand Prize Winners (click on the links for feature articles at NJ Stage).
Best Feature Film: Online Billie – Lou Assous (Paris, France)
Best Documentary Film: Breaking Their Silence – Kerry David (Playa Vista, California)
Best Short Film: The Beginning – Sonni Rossi & Megan McClelland (London, England)
Best Animated Film: Pit Stop – Mikail Ekiz (Hamilton, New Jersey)
Honorable Mention Winners
Impossible Monsters – Nathan Catucci (New York, New York)
Long Day’s Journey Into Night - Bi Gan (Kaili City, Guizhou, China)
Clean Hands – Michael Dominic (Queens, New York)
On Vinyl: Revival and Survival – Thom Leavy (South Amboy, New Jersey)
Two Trentons – Brad Mays (Frenchtown, New Jersey)
Shield – Danielle Eliska Lyle (Princeton, New Jersey)
As One – Tawny Sorensen and David Spaltro (New York, New York)
The New Jersey Film Festival showcases new international films, American independent features, animation, experimental and short subjects, and cutting-edge documentaries. The Fall 2019 festival took place from September 13 through October 13 on the Rutgers Campus in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
EVENT PREVIEWS
ACME Screening Room presents TCB and the Jerome Jennings Quintet
(LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Join the Acme Screening Room and Flemington DIY on Saturday, May 16, 2026 for the documentary "TCB: The Toni Cade Bambara School of Organizing" plus live Jazz with the Jerome Jennings Quintet. The event begins at 6:00pm.
Atlantic County Film Club & Eammon Films present a screening of "The Chronology of Water" on May 18th
(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Atlantic County Film Club & Eammon Films present a screening of The Chronology of Water at Anchor Rock Club on Monday, May 18, 2026 at 7:30pm. Based on the beloved memoir by Lidia Yuknavitch, this film is a raw and unflinching portrait of survival, sexuality, and self-invention.
Trenton Filmmaker Phillip McConnell to Premiere New Short Film "Tell Me Where We Stand"
(HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- Independent filmmaker Phillip McConnell will premiere his new short film, Tell Me Where We Stand, at Mill One on Sunday, May 31, 2026, bringing together local artists, performers, and members of the community for an evening celebrating independent film and storytelling.
2026 New Jersey International Film Festival to Take Place from May 29th to June 7th
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center, in association with the Rutgers University Program in Cinema Studies, presents the 2026 New Jersey International Film Festival which marks their 31st Anniversary. The NJIFF competition will be taking place on the Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between May 29 - June 7, 2026 and will be a hybrid one as they will be presenting it online as well as doing in-person screenings at Rutgers University.
Emmy-nominated, Tony and Grammy Award-winning actor/director Jason Alexander to Lead Acting Masterclass on Long Beach Island
(LONG BEACH ISLAND, NJ) -- The Lighthouse International Film Festival (LIFF) presents a rare five-day acting masterclass led by acclaimed actor and director Jason Alexander, taking place June 7–11, 2026 on Long Beach Island, New Jersey, just prior to the opening of the Festival's 18th edition, which runs June 10–14.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sonia and Lisa on Mushrooms, Impivaara, Bottom Feeder & Chemical Meadows – Online for 24 Hours and In-Person at 7PM!Friday, May 29, 2026 @ 7:00pmNJ International Film Festival New Brunswick, NJ
Shorts Program #1: Godzilla’s Day Off, Paper Crane, 35 Days, I Exist, Pizza Man, Prison and Time, Dustsceawung & Miracle Under 34th Street – Online for 24 Hours and In-Person at 7PM!Saturday, May 30, 2026 @ 7:00pmNJ International Film Festival New Brunswick, NJ
