Image on the screen: Anima Magia ©2025 Albert Gabriel Nigrin featuring Yazmin Omana
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The New Jersey Film Festival returns to Rutgers University September 5 through October 10, 2025. As it has done the last few years, the festival will include select in-person screenings with all films available via video on-demand (VOD) as well. There are also a few screenings available only via VOD. Twenty films will have their New Jersey or Area Premiere (Middlesex County).
The festival continues its run of audio-visual concerts with a performance by Cold Weather Company on Friday, October 10th. This year the festival will also offer three filmmaking workshops.
Screenings take place at Voorhees Hall #105 on the Rutgers University campus (71 Hamilton Street) in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Individual tickets for each screening are available for purchase now. An All Access Festival Pass (admission to each screening) is available for purchase as well. Passes are good for both the virtual and in-person screenings when both are offered. Tickets are $15 per program with the Festival All Access Pass available for $120. In-person student tickets are available for $10 per program.
The Filmmaking Workshops are free and open to the public, but have limited seating and require advance registration. To register email them at njmac12@gmail.com
Here's the complete festival schedule.
Friday, September 5, 2025 – Alberta Number One. (Online for 24 Hours and In-Person at 7:00pm). This is a contemporary revisionist Western. Instead of guns, the characters brandish movie cameras and microphones as they explore the disjointed, sometimes dangerous "wild west" of Alberta's museums and roadside attractions. Punctuated by moments of extraordinary tenderness and unexpected violence, Alberta Number One invokes poetry, magic, and prayer to imagine a more radical, caring form of wildness on Canada's Western frontier. 2024; 84 min. Directed by Alexander (Sandy) Carson; Toronto Canada.
Sunday, September 7, 2025 – Shorts Program [7 FILMS] Prayer of the Sea, What a Surprise, The Proposal, Anima Magia, Jackie's Guide to Nature, Honk, and Hearts of Stone. (Online for 24 Hours and In-Person at 5:00pm)
Prayer of the Sea - A composer recounts a dream from his youth that inspired the slow movement of his first string quartet, Prayer of the Sea. The dream, depicting a peaceful dissolution into the sea and wind, symbolized his future death. Decades later, rediscovering a drawing from the quartet's premiere - perfectly capturing the dream’s essence - revived its emotions. Now older, he reflects on the dream’s message: a serene acceptance of life’s inevitable end. 2025; 7 min. Directed by Martin Gerigk; Germany
What a Surprise - In this film, three co-workers ponder their luck in relationships, exchanging stories of past lovers. When an unexpected customer shows up at their truck, Monica is sent into a tailspin. Is this man a failed entanglement from her past? Or is he someone Monica could imagine a future with? 2024; 8 min. Directed by Alexander Vorobyev; Galloway, New Jersey
The Proposal – 26-year-old Nadia is the definition of success: good degree, great job, very accomplished in her field, and most importantly, got there without any help from a man. She is fiercely protective of her matriarchal family and friend group. When her best friend’s boyfriend asks her for help with his upcoming proposal, Nadia can’t help but feel conflicted: can she get past her predisposition against men for the sake of her friend’s relationship? Or will she sabotage the proposal in the name of protecting her from more suffering when he eventually leaves? 2025; 10 min. Directed by Vaneeza Shah; Freehold, New Jersey
*Anima Magia – Shot on Super 8mm film and digital video, Anima Magia is an experimental dream film which was inspired by PJ Harvey’s recent I Inside the Old Year Dying tour and Sylvia Plath's poem "Witch Burning." 2025; 10 min. *Not in competition. Directed by Albert Gabriel Nigrin; Somerset, New Jersey
*Jackie's Guide to Nature - An exploration and conversation with Jackie: a free-spirited college student that immerses herself so deeply in nature and its many facets and inhabitants. Jackie's Guide to Nature explores Jackie as a person and how her relationship with the outdoors shapes her life in her classwork, relationships with those around her, and day to day life. 2025; 11 min. *Not in competition. Directed by Morgan Kalmbach; New Brunswick, New Jersey
Honk – A woman giving birth finds herself next to an old friend on a bench she knew she would never see again. A fleeting meditation. 2025; 11 min. Directed by Francisco Zayas; Princeton, New Jersey
Hearts of Stone – In the heart of a bustling metropolis, Paula, a lonely street artist, entertains people as a living statue. She longs with an impossible love for Agatha, a stone sculpture next to which she can be found every day. One day, when reaching her familiar spot, she finds her stone companion replaced by an abstract, modern sculpture. After a frantic search, she discovers Agatha cast aside amidst a group of discarded, classical statues who have lost their place in the modernizing sculpture park. As the sun sets, Paula finds herself trying to wake the lonely statue from her stone slumber. Staring Noomi Rapace and Jessica Berden. 2025; 30 min. Directed by Tom Van Avermaet; Boechout, Belgium
Friday, September 12, 2025 – Mistura (Online for 24 Hours and In-Person at 7:00pm). In 1960s Peru, a privileged French-Peruvian woman's life unravels when her husband's betrayal ostracizes her from elite society and leads her to embrace people from the very communities that she was raised to disregard. Amidst the backdrop of newfound alliances, she embarks on a transformative journey that challenges societal norms and reveals Peru's authentic identity through a daring culinary venture that celebrates the country's remarkably diverse cuisine and peoples, igniting a revolution that redefines her life. In Spanish and French, subtitled. 2024; 89 min. Directed by Ricardo de Montreuil; Los Angeles, California
Sunday, September 14, 2025 – Introduction to Filmmaking Workshop (In-Person at 1:00pm). Instructor: Albert Nigrin/Morgan Kalmbach. Welcome to the beginning of making a film! This introductory workshop course will cover key elements of filmmaking, with an emphasis on what occurs before the camera begins recording. The decisions and ideas crafted before a film is shot are critical, as they shape the film into what it will become. From screenwriting to casting to planning the look of your film, this course will offer a unique introduction and allow you to begin learning important skills and components of the filmmaking process.
You’ll learn about the thoughtful planning and artistic choices required to bring a story to life on screen. The class will feature discussions, examples, and exercises designed to showcase the many aspects of filmmaking. By the end of the session, you will have a solid understanding of how a film is developed and prepared before a single frame is shot.
This course is designed for beginners and open to all experience levels, with no prior filmmaking experience required. If you’ve ever wanted to make a film but didn’t know where to start, this course is for you. This workshop is FREE and open to the public but has limited seating and requires advance registration. To register email us at njmac12@gmail.com.
Sunday, September 14, 2025 – “I Will Revenge This World With Love” (Online for 24 Hours and In-Person at 5:00pm). The director of this film decides to leave the country where she lives, in connection with the outbreak of the dramatic events, and return home to Armenia in search of a worthy example and solutions on how to live on. Acclaimed filmmaker Sergei Paradjanov’s house becomes a place of inspiration and a point of no return to toxic reality. Through the life and work of Paradjanov, clarifying and interpreting the theme of human freedom in non-free conditions, where freedom is limited both by the borders of the totalitarian state and by the barbed wire of the camp fence. In Armenian, subtitled. 2024; 110 min. Directed by S. Paradjanov - Zara Jian; Armenia.
Friday, September 19, 2025 – The Muscle (Online for 24 Hours and In-Person at 7:00pm). The film is about a man named Ron who has a big heart but is caught up in a life of crime. He witnesses a murder and soon after discovers who was responsible for his father's death. His uncle was aware of the situation but never acted upon it because of greed. It's far beyond what Ron could ever imagine. He must choose revenge or forgiveness but he can't trust no-one. He wants to do the right thing but will he? His childhood priest tries to direct the right path but the father's killer and Ron have a bond that goes back for years. Will Ron give the father killer a pass? Will Ron forgive his uncle and mostly will Ron forgive himself... The killer's fate lies in the hands of only Ron or does it? 2025; 80 min. Directed by Ryan Halasz; Keyport, New Jersey
Sunday, September 21, 2025 – Getting Control of Your Audio Recording Methods & Gear Workshop (In-Person at 1:00pm). Instructor: Mitch Hiller. We will discuss a minimum amount of audio electronics to allow you to make proper signal interfacing decisions for your different types of recording gear. This will allow us to further discuss the different signal types; transmission methods you’ll come across when assembling your system.
We’ll discuss the various polar pickup patterns of different microphones; their benefits to tailor to your specific needs, and a simple method to identify their patterns from the basic construction of the mics, as well as other techniques to maximize intended signal sounds versus unwanted ones (a signal to noise concept). We’ll also talk about the problems created by auto-limiters as well as their occasional benefits. This workshop is FREE and open to the public but has limited seating and requires advance registration. To register email us at njmac12@gmail.com.
Sunday, September 21, 2025 – [2 FILMS] Pierre West and Tokyo Nights (Online for 24 Hours and In-Person at 5:00pm)
Pierre West – One day Pierre's TV breaks down, what at first seems like another setback will soon take him down a new road. Pierre West is a drama about hope and darkness, filmed over 17 years. Through Pierre’s isolated life and his unjust struggle with trauma, the film explores emotions that arise when the light at the end of the tunnel seems so very far away A character-driven portrayal balancing hardships and inner demons with humor and longing. In an existence without compassion – how long can Pierre endure? In Swedish, subtitled. 2025; 29 min. Directed by Henrik Larsson, Jakob Arevärn; Älvsjö, Sweden
Tokyo Nights – Kara (mid-20s, a young Filipina) and Max (early 30s, a successful civil engineer) embark on a honeymoon trip to Tokyo, Japan, looking forward to a romantic getaway. However, their lives take an unexpected turn when they bump into Kenji (mid-20s), Kara's ex-boyfriend from Manila. Kenji, who was once Marvin, changed his name after being adopted by his Japanese stepfather and now works as a "Man For Hire" in Tokyo. Throughout the film, the characters reflect on love—both emotional and physical—in documentary-style interviews. They discuss their thoughts on relationships, past loves, and the ideals of perfect love. Kara speaks about the tension between passion and stability, Max talks about the complexity of loving someone who might not fully share your emotional or physical desires, Kenji wrestles with his past and the confusion of intimacy through his work, and Tanya confronts the nature of commitment and trust. The film plays with the idea of love as a spectrum, questioning the idea of monogamy, fidelity, and the boundaries of emotional connection. Kara and Max’s honeymoon becomes a journey of self-discovery, with both learning more about each other, their relationship, and their true desires. The tension between love and lust forces each character to challenge their assumptions about what it means to love someone. In English, Japanese, Tagalog, subtitled. 2025; 54 min. Directed by Joey Cruz Manalang (Round Rock, Texas)
Friday, September 26, 2025 – [3 FILMS] Driving Lessons, Flirtologist, and Where's My Coffee Cup? (Online for 24 Hours). Wartime Kyiv, Ukraine. A father helps his daughter to practice driving. They have a strong connection but many disagreements in their opinions. The driving lesson ceases to be ordinary when the father is issued a summons at a checkpoint. In Ukrainian, subtitled. 2025; 18 min. Directed by Anastasiya Gruba (Kyiv, Ukraine)
Flirtologist – A teenage girl on a contentious family camping trip attempts to amuse herself with a handsome stranger, but she must learn that her budding sexuality is treacherous, and the war between the sexes eternal. 2025; 28 min. Directed by Madeline O’Leary; Lisbon, Portugal
Where's My Coffee Cup? – This film tells the story of John, who, at 64 and still in prison, must navigate trauma and aging in a space that is not designed for a geriatric population. Like others, he faces the challenges of stairs, top bunks, food that is not made for human consumption, and the everyday risks of violence and exploitation. John’s story is a call and a demand for compassion and justice. 2025; 30 min. Directed by Yehada Sharim; Merced, California
Saturday, September 27, 2025 – Best of the 2025 New Jersey International Film Festival Program #1 [2 FILMS] Becoming an Oyster and Elisa in Wonderland (Online for 24 Hours).
Becoming an Oyster - This is an animated short film by Michael Covello and Elizabeth Schneider. It explores the intersection of two significant generational crises: climate change and opioid addiction. Told through the eyes of a young boy, the allegorical narrative touches on themes of consumption, excess, and trauma. The metaphor of an oyster’s life cycle reflects the vulnerability of human and ecological systems. These filter animals become a two-way mirror through which one may glimpse ecological failure and the consequences of climate disruption as well as the broader struggles and individual trauma of addiction. Becoming an Oyster blends ecological metaphors with human narratives to create a surreal landscape of boyhood adventure, heartbreaking loss, and the legacy we each leave to future generations. 2025; 7 min. Directed by Elizabeth Schneider, Michael Covello; Kutztown, New York
Elisa in Wonderland – Following a period of rehabilitation, Elisa (Nora Ní Anluain Fay) returns to her ancestral stately home, Stradbally, where she is haunted by acute anxiety, mental illness, and struggles with addiction. Despite the tender ministrations of Mary (Hilary Bowen-Walsh), the devoted housekeeper, she finds herself unravelling as reality and imagination blur and the paintings in her room come to life to pull her into their surreal narratives. Inspired by “The Raven” and other works by Edgar Allan Poe, this powerful and unsettling cinematic journey delves into the depths of the human psyche to explore themes of loss, madness, and the shadowy forces within. 2025; 107 min. Directed by Clea van der Grijn; Sligo, Ireland
Sunday, September 28, 2025 – The Film Business: Basic Legal and Business Aspects of Motion Picture Production and Distribution Workshop (In-Person at 1:00pm). Instructor: Steven C. Schechter, Esq. This workshop is designed to provide participants with general understanding about the legal and business practices involved in motion picture production which all filmmakers should understand. The workshop welcomes producers, film/videomakers, film/video students, lawyers, as well as amateurs and the general public.
The workshop will provide a general overview of various areas of intellectual property law, considerations for setting up your production company, understanding what rights are needed to produce a motion picture, how to obtain music, film clips and other clearances, and an overview of key contracts and key contract clauses in the production process and key components of distribution arrangements. This workshop is FREE and open to the public but has limited seating and requires advance registration. To register email us at njmac12@gmail.com.
Sunday, September 28, 2025 – [2 FILMS] Cathy & Harry and Bob & Hazel: Bound by Love, Divided by Color. (Online for 24 Hours and In-Person at 5:00pm)
Cathy & Harry – A revealing and humorous double-portrait of Catherine Murphy and Harry Roseman whose work is in collections from the Metropolitan Museum of Art to the Metropolitan Transit Authority. Cathy & Harry documents how their lives revolve in joyous, dizzying intensity around work, food, friends, and each other. 2025; 45 min. Directed by Marta Renzi and Daniel Wolff; USA
Bob & Hazel: Bound by Love, Divided by Color – This is a powerful documentary about a 60-year interracial love story that defied the racial boundaries of 1960s America, overcoming relentless challenges of bigotry, war, and societal rejection. What do Atlantic City, New Jersey; Fort Hood, Texas; and Vietnam have in common? Each of these iconic places—steeped in history and struggle—challenged Bob and Hazel Levy in their journey together. But their love was unbreakable. 2024; 56 min. Directed by Lara Firestone; Santa Barbara, California
Friday, October 3 – Choeurs Atlantiques / Tales from the Atlantic Beyond (Online for 24 Hours and In-Person at 7:00pm). The film is a poignant personal memory quest that begins at the Bay of Diamant, in Martinique, and carries us to 3 continents, to shine light on what it means to be black today in a globally interconnected world, as seen through the eyes of Martinican artist Laurent Valère and his transatlantic dialogs with the black diaspora. In French and English, subtitled. 2025; 119 min. Directed by Safoi Babana-Hampton; East Lansing, Michigan
Saturday, October 4 – Best of the 2025 New Jersey International Film Festival Program #2. [3 FILMS] I Was There, Wrestle-Off, and Freeing Juanita (Online for 24 Hours)
I Was There – This is a haunting exploration of familial bonds, intergenerational memory, and the enduring impact of shared narratives. Filmmaker Kamila Kuc steps into the emotional stream of inherited family history as the lines between documentary, testimony, and fiction blur. She performs acts of bearing witness not just for herself but also on behalf of her grandmother. Together, they testify to their experiences and the reverberations these stories have over time. I Was There is a palimpsest - a layered tapestry where past and present intertwine in the intimate process of activating memory and vulnerability as forms of resistance. I Was There honors the testimonial object inherited from ancestors and the living connection that binds generations in the shared pursuit of justice and healing. 2024; 12 min. Directed by Kamila Kuc; London, England)
WRESTLE-OFF – Tenacious high school wrestler Alex battles with the grief of her father’s passing and the hostility of her teammates as she fiercely competes for a varsity spot on an all-male wrestling team. 2025; 19 min. Directed by Sabatino Ciatti, Jr.; Warren, New Jersey
Freeing Juanita – Juanita has been unjustly detained in Reynosa, Mexico for over seven years, accused of a crime she didn’t commit and forced to confess in a language she didn’t understand. This intimate portrait follows Ana and Pedro, Juanita’s aunt and uncle, on their thousand-mile journey from the highlands of Guatemala. With the help of their Maya Chuj community and a network of Maya interpreters, they fight for Juanita’s freedom and demand justice from the Mexican authorities, a cause that became internationally recognized for its defense of migrants’ rights and language justice. In Spanish, subtitled. 2024; 75 min. Directed by Sebastian Lasaosa Rogers; Brooklyn, New York
Sunday, October 5 – Welcome to Japan (Online for 24 Hours). Elvis, a young archivist on his way to work in the United States, misses his flight on the evening of his departure. Knowing no one in Paris and having left all his documents inside his rental car, he is forced, by a twist of fate, to spend the night on the streets of the capital. A gambling addict, a community of hippies, a strange couple, and a depressed drag queen... So many characters will cross Elvis’s path throughout an exhausting night. In French, subtitled. 2025; 112 min. Directed by – Noé Benifla; Paris, France
Friday, October 10 - Cold Weather Company Audio Visual Concert (7:00pm – In Person Only). We have started a new concert series with a moving image component as part of our Film Festivals with the hope of reawakening the mostly dormant New Brunswick Music Scene. Previous concerts included performances by Tim Motzer, Marissa Nadler, Jim Haynes, Renee Maskin, and Mike Kovacs.
New Jersey’s Cold Weather Company blends the influences and experiences of three singer-songwriters (Steve Shimchick, Jeff Petescia, and Brian Curry) into a cinematic, storytelling soundscape. On “In Time”—CWC’s fifth full-length album—the trio expands their distinctive alternative-folk foundation across 15 songs inspired by their collective and individual journeys. Love and respect for their craft, supplemented by a desire to contribute to the dynamic world of music, propels CWC as they prepare for their 12th anniversary. Since forming while students at Rutgers University–New Brunswick, the band has released over 70 original songs, earned more than 12 million digital streams, and performed across the US and UK.
All the works being screened are part of the New Jersey International Film Festival were selected by a panel of judges including media professionals, journalists, students, and academics. These judges selected the finalists which will be publicly screened at the Festival. The finalists were selected from over 300 works submitted by filmmakers from around the world. In addition, the judges will choose the Prize Winners in conjunction with the Festival Director. Prize winners will be announced following the screening on October 5, 2025.
Special Guest Appearances by Directors, Artists, and Actors - One of the best aspects of any film festival are the appearances by film directors, producers, and actors. Some of the people scheduled to attend the Fall Festival include: Alexander (Sandy) Carson, Alexander Vorobyev/Elissa Jachetti, Vaneeza Shah, Morgan Kalmbach, Francisco Zayas/Vivia Font, Zara Jian, Marta Renzi and Daniel Wolff, Lara Firestone, Ryan Halasz and many others to be announced. There will also be many virtual Filmmaker Introductions and Q+A Sessions for many of the films.
For more information on the festival, click here.
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