(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- The New Jersey Web Festival (NJ WebFest), North America's premier celebration of short-form storytelling across web and audio, announced the winners of its 2025 Audio Fiction awards following a record-attendance festival weekend (September 25-28). Now in its seventh year overall and fifth year recognizing Audio Fiction, the Festival honored excellence across scripted audio fiction and actual play, capped by Howl winning Best of the Best – Audio Fiction.
"The global community of audio storytellers continues to redefine what's possible in the medium," said Ned Donovan, Director of Audio Fiction for NJ WebFest. "From independent creators to established studios, the quality on display at this year's festival demonstrates the exceptional health and innovation of this art form."
Key awards in the Scripted Audio Fiction category included Howl for Outstanding Fantasy, Fawx & Stallion for Outstanding Comedy, and Gather By the Ghost Light (The Other Me) for Outstanding Drama. The Best Director award went to Rachel Music for Leylines, while Best Editing was awarded to Allison Cossitt for Howl.
In the Actual Play category, Tales Yet Told: 2048 AM Voices in the Wood won Best Ensemble Cast for Podcast, and GODKILLER: Last Hope took home Best Costume/Makeup for Video.
The festival also recognized Mike Atchley with the William Dufris “Those Who Dare, Win” Award. Named for the prolific voice actor (Bob the Builder, BBC's Spider-Man), the Dufris Award is given annually to a creator who is a champion of independent creators, who opens doors across the Audio Fiction industry, and who is a beacon of positivity within the Audio Fiction community.
2025 festival highlights included record attendance and a global field of nominees, showcasing the continued expansion of the Audio Fiction division in its fifth year. The NJ WebFest remains a pivotal platform for creators to showcase their work and connect with audiences worldwide.
"The New Jersey Web Festival continues to be a beacon for innovative storytelling," said Neem Basha, CEO of NJ WebFest. "Our commitment to celebrating diverse voices and groundbreaking media is stronger than ever."
Click here for the full list of nominees and winners.
The New Jersey Web Festival is one of the top-rated film festivals in the world according to FilmFreeway.com. Dedicated to the empowerment and celebration of web-based content, in 2021 the festival became the world’s first film festival experience for Audio Fiction, Fiction Podcasts, and Actual Play content. The 7th edition was held in person in Montclair and Bloomfield, New Jersey, and showcased the best in Web Series, Short Films, Pilots, Music Videos, Trailers, Fiction Podcasts, Actual Plays, Standalone Audio Fiction, and Scripts.
The festival offers creators workshops, panels, networking events, and professional development opportunities while also screening accepted projects at a beloved New Jersey movie theater. The festival is capped by its world-renowned Awards Gala featuring gourmet food, dessert, and live entertainment where all awards will be announced and presented. Projects from more than 30 countries have been programmed at the festival to date.
