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
Cape May MAC to Screen "Once in a Hundred Years: The Life & Legacy of Marian Anderson" on April 4th
(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- The award-winning documentary film, Once in a Hundred Years: The Life & Legacy of Marian Anderson, will be presented Saturday, April 4, 2026 at Cape May Stage Theater in partnership with Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture). Admission is free, but donations will be collected to benefit the Cape May Community Food Closet. The screening begins at 2:00pm and continues the celebration of Black History Month.
RVCC to Hold Film Screening, Discussion of "The Librarians" on April 8th
(BRANCHBURG, NJ) -- The English department and the Evelyn S. Field Library at Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) will present a screening of the documentary, The Librarians, on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at 4:30pm. The program, which is free of charge and open to the public, will be held in the Event Center at the College's Branchburg campus.
Outpost in the Burbs and Montclair Film presents the Music of John Prine: Film and Concert
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs and Montclair Film presents "In Spite of Ourselves," a concert and film screening of You Got Gold, on Saturday, April 11, 2026. The concert and film are a tribute to the music of the legendary singer-songwriter John Prine.
Lighthouse International Film Society presents Ten Films That Shaped American Comedy
(LOVELADIES, NJ) -- What role does film play in shaping a nation's sense of humor? How have films like Some Like it Hot, Blazing Saddles and Bridesmaids left a lasting impression on American society?
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.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The Great Muppet Caper – Popcorn & Pajamas Film SeriesFriday, April 17, 2026 @ 7:00pmHamilton Stage at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) Rahway, NJ
The Great Muppet Caper – Popcorn & Pajamas Film SeriesFriday, April 24, 2026 @ 7:00pmHamilton Stage at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) Rahway, NJ
